תהלים, פרק ע״ד, פסוק ט״ו

God exercises absolute mastery over the natural world, a power clearly seen when He performs entirely opposite miracles to save His people. On one hand, He transforms dry earth and solid flint into gushing water, and on the other, He turns mighty, raging waters into dry land [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. This display of contrasting power serves as the foundation for a plea that God act in two parallel ways: applying strict justice and punishment to the nations of the world, while showing mercy to the Israelites [אלשיך].

The primary approach among commentators is that the sudden creation of a spring and brook refers to the miracle in the desert, where God brought forth water from a stone to sustain the Israelites [רש״י, רד״ק, אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד]. Since water itself cannot be physically split, the event is described by its final result. God split the solid rock open so that it would become a flowing spring [רד״ק, מלבי״ם, המאירי]. A complementary perspective suggests that the earth itself was split open to release hidden water [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Alternatively, some suggest this initial act also hints at the parting of the Jordan River [המאירי].

In direct contrast to bringing water from dry stone, God also dries up mighty, constantly rushing rivers [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, מצודת ציון, המאירי, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This refers to the miracles at the Red Sea and the Jordan River. Even though the Jordan was overflowing its banks, God dried it completely so the Israelites could cross safely on dry ground [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. Although the Jordan is a single body of water, it is spoken of in the plural because it is fed by numerous other rivers and streams that flow into it [רד״ק, המאירי].