The Meaning of Psalms 74:13 Explained

Psalms 74:13

KJV: Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.

YLT: Thou hast broken by Thy strength a sea -monster, Thou hast shivered Heads of dragons by the waters,

Darby: Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength; thou didst break the heads of the monsters on the waters:

ASV: Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: Thou brakest the heads of the sea-monsters in the waters.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Thou didst divide  the sea  by thy strength:  thou brakest  the heads  of the dragons  in the waters. 

What does Psalms 74:13 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalm 74:12-23 - "plead Thine Own Cause, O God"
Yet! Psalms 74:12, r.v. There is always some compensating and consolatory thought. God is in the background of our thought. Not only the King, but my King, ever working salvation in the midst of the earth. Faith is quickened as she reviews the marvels of the past, or considers the constant forth-putting of God's power in nature. See Psalms 74:12-15.
The dove is a tender emblem of the Church in her simplicity, weakness, and defenselessness; and there is no plea so potent as to remind God of His Covenant, which has been sealed with the blood of the Cross. Though we are utterly unworthy, He cannot deny Himself. Every time we put the cup to our lips in the Holy Supper, we say in effect. Have respect unto the Covenant, Psalms 74:20. This is an invincible argument with God. Go over the different items of that Covenant enumerated in Hebrews 8:1-13. Place your finger on the one that fits your case, and present that at the bank of heaven, endorsed by the countersign of our Lord. See to it that your cause is so identified with God's that, in soliciting His help, you may be able to add: Arise, O God; plead thine own cause, Psalms 74:22. God is faithful to those whom He has called into the fellowship of His Son. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 74

1  The prophet complains of the desolation of the sanctuary
10  He moves God to help in consideration of his power
18  Of his reproachful enemies, or his children and of his covenant

What do the individual words in Psalms 74:13 mean?

You divided by Your strength the sea You broke the heads of the sea serpents in the waters
אַתָּ֤ה פוֹרַ֣רְתָּ בְעָזְּךָ֣ יָ֑ם שִׁבַּ֖רְתָּ רָאשֵׁ֥י תַ֝נִּינִ֗ים עַל־ הַמָּֽיִם

פוֹרַ֣רְתָּ  divided 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: פָּרַר 
Sense: to break, frustrate.
בְעָזְּךָ֣  by  Your  strength 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: עֹז  
Sense: might, strength.
יָ֑ם  the  sea 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: יָם  
Sense: sea.
שִׁבַּ֖רְתָּ  You  broke 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: שָׁבוּר 
Sense: to break, break in pieces.
רָאשֵׁ֥י  the  heads 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: רֹאשׁ 
Sense: head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning.
תַ֝נִּינִ֗ים  of  the  sea  serpents 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: תַּנִּין  
Sense: dragon, serpent, sea monster.
הַמָּֽיִם  the  waters 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: מַיִם  
Sense: water, waters.