For these verses see the two incidents narrated in Exodus 17.1-6 and Numbers 20.10-13. From the deep in verse 15b translates “as the depths.” The same word is used in 77.16 and refers to the underground ocean which supplied the water of rivers and seas (see related ideas in 33.7); Traduction œcuménique de la Bible “as from the source of the large Abyss,” New Jerusalem Bible “as if from the great deep.” From the deep may sometimes be rendered “from deep in the earth.”

In verse 15b, to make the text clear, instead of gave them it is better to say “gave the people” or “gave his people.”

Verse 16 refers to the same incidents as in verse 15 (see also verse 20a-b). The two parallel lines describe the same event; waters in line b is parallel to streams in line a.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .