Texts in Conversation
Psalm 77 shares Baal's victory over Sea in the Baal Cycle, making Israel's escape from Egypt a defeat of an older divine enemy by the God who leads his people.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
KTU 1.2 IV:25
Cuneiform Texts from Ugarit
Ancient Near East
You, your name is 'All-Driver' All-Driver, drive Yamm away, drive Yamm from his throne, Nahar from the siege of his dominion! You must leap from the hand of Baal, like a falcon from his fingers. Strike the skull of Prince Yamm (Ocean), the brow of Ruler Nahar (River)! Let Yamm collapse in a heap, and let him fall to the ground!' Then the mace leapt from the hand of Baal, like a falcon from his fingers. It struck the skull of Prince Yamm, the brow of Ruler Nahar. Yamm collapsed in a heap; he fell to the ground. His joints trembled, and his visage was discomposed. Baal gathered Up and drank Prince Yamm to the dregs, he exterminated Ruler Nahar. By name Athtart chided him Dry him Up, O Valiant Baal! Dry him up, O Charioteer of the Clouds! For our captive is Prince [Yamm], [for]
Psalm 77:16
Hebrew Bible
14 You are the God who does amazing things; you have revealed your strength among the nations. 15 You delivered your people by your arm21—the children of Jacob and Joseph. (Selah) 16 The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you and trembled. Yes, the depths of the sea shook with fear. 17 The clouds poured down rain; the skies thundered. Yes, your arrows flashed about. 18 Your thunderous voice was heard in the wind; the lightning bolts lit up the world. The earth trembled and shook. 19 You walked through the sea; you passed through the surging waters, but left no footprints. 20 You led your people like a flock of sheep, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
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Notes and References
“... Secondary application of the motif, that is, instances in which the con
flict motif is claimed or assumed to have import for humans, occur in
many biblical texts. Examples of the combined conflict and exodus motifs
(Ps 77:14–21; Ps 106:7–12; Ps 114; Isa 51:9–11; and possibly Jer 51:36) are par
ticularly relevant here. This combination of motifs constitutes a significant
development within biblical historiography. Yahweh’s divine combat was
inserted within the foundational story of Israel and Judah, specifically into
the “paradigmatic story” of Yahweh intervening within a human socio-
political circumstance on behalf of the people. ...”
Ballentine, Debra Scoggins
The Conflict Myth and the Biblical Tradition
(p. 124) Oxford University Press, 2015
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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