Psalm 78:23

Modern

Yet He commanded the clouds above and opened the doors of the heavens.

Traditional

Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,

Literal

And He commanded the clouds above, and the doors of the heavens He opened.

Latin

Et mandavit nubibus desuper, et januas cæli aperuit.

Hebrew

English

Yet He commanded the clouds above and opened the doors of the heavens.

Abundance comes through the doors of heaven (Genesis 8:2; 2 Kings 7:2; Malachi 3:10).
The Israelites ate manna for 40 years in the wilderness (Exodus 16:31–36; John 6:31).

Israel rebelled in the wilderness despite God’s abundant provision.

This wisdom psalm urges people to learn wisdom and share it faithfully.

Theme notes and profiles

Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month, all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened.
Malachi 3:10
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.
Psalm 33:9
For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.
2 Kings 7:19
And the officer had answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” So Elisha had replied, “You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it!”
Isaiah 5:6
I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and thorns and briers will grow up. I will command the clouds that rain shall not fall on it.”
2 Kings 7:2
But the officer on whose arm the king leaned answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” replied Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it.”