Awake, awake (comp. Psalms 7:6; Psalms 35:23; Psalms 44:23; Psalms 78:65). When God neglects the prayers and supplications of his people, he is spoken of as "asleep," and needing to be awoke by a loud cry.
The anthropomorphism is obvious, and of course not to be taken literally (see 1 Kings 18:27, ad fin.). Put on strength. Gird the strength to thee (Psalms 93:1) which thou hadst laid aside while thou wept asleep.
Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab? rather, was it not thou that didst cleave Rahab in pieces? Here, as in Psalms 87:4 and Psalms 89:10, "Rahab" would seem to be a symbolical expression for Egypt. "Rahab" is literally "pride," or "the proud one."
The event alluded to, both here and in Psalms 89:10, is the destruction of Pharaoh's host in the Red Sea (see Psalms 89:10). And wounded the dragon. "The dragon" is another symbol of the Egyptian power (comp.
Ezekiel 29:3, "Pharaoh, King of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers"). Originally designating God's great enemy, Satan (Genesis 3:14; Revelation 12:7-9; Revelation 20:2), it is a term which comes to be applied to the adversaries of the Almighty generally.