ma.a.maq denotes depths, especially deep waters and, in prayer, a condition from which someone cries out.

The term most often occurs in descriptions of deep waters or the sea, including waters that engulf, are dried up, or break a maritime setting. In the Psalms it also appears in cries of distress, where the depth imagery frames an urgent appeal to God.

1. Deep waters and sea depths · dominant

   In Ezekiel 27:34 the construct form occurs with “the waters” as the APB renders a sea setting in which a city is broken and its company falls. Isaiah 51:10 likewise places the construct form with “the sea,” rendered as “the depths of the sea” made into a way; Psalm 69:15 places it amid a plea that floodwaters not overflow and that “the depth” not swallow the speaker.

   Ezekiel 27:34Isaiah 51:10Psalm 69:15
2. Depths in poetic distress and prayer · common

   In Psalm 130:1 the masculine plural absolute form stands in the opening cry to the LORD, which the APB renders, “Out of the depths I called to you.” Psalm 69:3 uses a construct form in a verse describing weariness in calling, a scorched throat, and failing eyes while waiting for God; the APB does not clearly isolate the term's contribution there.

   Psalm 130:1Psalm 69:3

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously presents the term in water contexts as “the depths of the waters,” “the depths of the sea,” and “the depth,” and in Psalm 130:1 as “the depths.” In Psalm 69:3 no corresponding English expression is apparent.