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Commentary on Psalms 106 verses 6–12
Here begins a penitential confession of sin, which was in a special manner seasonable now that the church was in distress; for thus we must justify God in all that he brings upon us, acknowledging that therefore he has done right, because we have done wickedly; and the remembrance of former sins, notwithstanding which God did not cast off his people, is an encouragement to us to hope that, though we are justly corrected for our sins, yet we shall not be utterly abandoned.
I. God's afflicted people here own themselves guilty before God (Psa 106:6): "We have sinned with our fathers, that is, like our fathers, after the similitude of their transgression. We have added to the stock of hereditary guilt, and filled up the measure of our fathers' iniquity, to augment yet the fierce anger of the Lord," Num 32:14; Mat 23:32. And see how they lay a load upon themselves, as becomes penitents: "We have committed iniquity, that which is in its own nature sinful, and we have done wickedly; we have sinned with a high hand presumptuously." Or this is a confession, not only of their imitation of, but their interest in, their fathers' sins: We have sinned with our fathers, for we were in their loins and we bear their iniquity, Lam 5:7.
II. They bewail the sins of their fathers when they were first formed into a people, which, since children often smart for, they are concerned to sorrow for, even further than to the third and fourth generation. Even we now ought to take occasion from the history of Israel's rebellions to lament the depravity and perverseness of man's nature and its unaptness to be amended by the most probable means. Observe here,
1.The strange stupidity of Israel in the midst of the favours God bestowed upon them (Psa 106:7): They understood not thy wonders in Egypt. They saw them, but they did not rightly apprehend the meaning and design of them. Blessed are those that have not seen, and yet have understood. They thought the plagues of Egypt were intended for their deliverance, whereas they were intended also for their instruction and conviction, not only to force them out of their Egyptian slavery, but to cure them of their inclination to Egyptian idolatry, by evidencing the sovereign power and dominion of the God of Israel, above all gods, and his particular concern for them. We lose the benefit of providences for want of understanding them. And, as their understandings were dull, so their memories were treacherous; though one would think such astonishing events should never have been forgotten, yet they remembered them not, at least they remembered not the multitude of God's mercies in them. Therefore God is distrusted because his favours are not remembered.
2.Their perverseness arising from this stupidity: They provoked him at the sea, even at the Red Sea. The provocation was, despair of deliverance (because the danger was great) and wishing they had been left in Egypt still, Exo 14:11, Exo 14:12. Quarrelling with God's providence, and questioning his power, goodness, and faithfulness, are as great provocations to him as any whatsoever. The place aggravated the crime; it was at the sea, at the Red Sea, when they had newly come out of Egypt and the wonders God had wrought for them were fresh in their minds; yet they reproach him, as if all that power had no mercy in it, but he had brought them out of Egypt on purpose to kill them in the wilderness. They never lay at God's mercy so immediately as in their passage through the Red Sea, yet there they affront it, and provoke his wrath.
3.The great salvation God wrought for them notwithstanding their provocations, Psa 106:8-11. (1.) He forced a passage for them through the sea: He rebuked the Red Sea for standing in their way and retarding their march, and it was dried up immediately; as, in the creation, at God's rebuke the waters fled, Psa 104:7. Nay, he not only prepared them a way, but, by the pillar of cloud and fire, he led them into the sea, and, by the conduct of Moses, led them through it as readily as through the wilderness. He encouraged them to take those steps, and subdued their fears, when those were their most dangerous and threatening enemies. See Isa 63:12-14. (2.) He interposed between them and their pursuers, and prevented them from cutting them off, as they designed. The Israelites were all on foot, and the Egyptians had all of them chariots and horses, with which they were likely to overtake them quickly, but God saved them from the hand of him that hated them, namely, Pharaoh, who never loved them, but now hated them the more for the plagues he had suffered on their account. From the hand of his enemy, who was just ready to seize them, God redeemed them (Psa 106:10), interposing himself, as it were, in the pillar of fire, between the persecuted and the persecutors. (3.) To complete the mercy, and turn the deliverance into a victory, the Red Sea, which was a lane to them, was a grave to the Egyptians (Psa 106:11): The waters covered their enemies, so as to slay them, but not so as to conceal their shame; for, the next tide, they were thrown up dead upon the shore, Exo 14:30. There was not one of them left alive, to bring tidings of what had become of the rest. And why did God do this for them? Nay, why did he not cover them, as he did their enemies, for their unbelief and murmuring? He tells us (Psa 106:8): it was for his name's sake. Though they did not deserve this favour, he designed it; and their undeservings should not alter his designs, nor break his measures, nor make him withdraw his promise, or fail in the performance of it. He did this for his own glory, that he might make his mighty power to be known, not only in dividing the sea, but in doing it notwithstanding their provocations. Moses prays (Num 14:17, Num 14:19), Let the power of my Lord be great and pardon the iniquity of this people. The power of the God of grace in pardoning sin and sparing sinners is as much to be admired as the power of the God of nature in dividing the waters.
4.The good impression this made upon them for the present (Psa 106:12): Then believed they his words, and acknowledged that God was with them of a truth, and had, in mercy to them, brought them out of Egypt, and not with any design to slay them in the wilderness; then they feared the Lord and his servant Moses, Exo 14:31. Then they sang his praise, in that song of Moses penned on this great occasion, Exo 15:1. See in what a gracious and merciful way God sometimes silences the unbelief of his people, and turns their fears into praises; and so it is written, Those that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and those that murmured shall learn doctrine, Isa 29:24.
"As for those that troubled them, the waters overwhelmed them: there was not one of them left" [Psalm 106:11]; not of all the Egyptians, but of those who pursued the departing Israelites, desirous either of taking or of killing them.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 106:11 vividly recounts God's climactic act of deliverance and judgment at the Red Sea, powerfully depicting the complete and utter engulfment of the Egyptian pursuers by the returning waters, leaving no survivor. This verse stands as an enduring testament to the Lord's absolute sovereignty over creation, His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, and His overwhelming power to decisively defeat all who defiantly oppose His divine will and redemptive purposes for Israel.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalms 106 is a historical psalm, functioning as a communal confession of Israel's repeated unfaithfulness and God's enduring faithfulness. It belongs to Book Four of the Psalter (Psalms 90-106), a section often characterized by themes of God's kingship and covenant loyalty. The psalm opens with a call to praise God for His goodness and mercy (Psalms 106:1-5), before embarking on a detailed historical review of Israel's journey from the Exodus to the Babylonian exile. Verses 7-12 specifically focus on the Red Sea event, serving as the initial and most dramatic example of God's mighty acts for His people. Prior to verse 11, the psalm describes God's miraculous intervention in drying up the sea (Psalms 106:9), allowing Israel to pass through, and His subsequent deliverance of His people from their enemies (Psalms 106:10), setting the stage for the definitive judgment in verse 11. The immediate aftermath, recounted in Psalms 106:12-13, tragically highlights Israel's fleeting faith and quick descent into forgetfulness, underscoring the psalm's overarching narrative of divine patience contrasted with human rebellion.
Historical & Cultural Context: The event commemorated in Psalms 106:11 is the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea (or Sea of Reeds) by the Israelites and the subsequent destruction of Pharaoh's army, a foundational narrative detailed in Exodus 14. This occurred shortly after the ten devastating plagues on Egypt, which finally compelled Pharaoh to release the enslaved Israelites. Pharaoh's subsequent change of heart and relentless pursuit of the Israelites into the wilderness demonstrated his hardened defiance against Yahweh, setting the stage for this ultimate confrontation. For ancient Israel, the Exodus, with the Red Sea crossing as its dramatic climax, was the defining moment of their national birth and the cornerstone of their covenant relationship with God. It was the supreme demonstration of Yahweh's power over all other gods and nations, establishing Him as Israel's unique deliverer, protector, and sovereign King. The imagery of the sea, often perceived in ancient Near Eastern cultures as a chaotic, untamable, and threatening force, being utterly controlled and utilized by God as an instrument of judgment, would have profoundly emphasized God's absolute supremacy over creation and all hostile powers.
Key Themes: Psalms 106:11 contributes significantly to several central themes within the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates Divine Deliverance, showcasing God's unparalleled ability to rescue His people from seemingly insurmountable threats, as explicitly stated in Exodus 14:30. Secondly, it underscores God's Sovereign Power and Justice, demonstrating His absolute control over creation and His righteous judgment against those who defiantly oppose His will and His people. This theme of divine judgment on nations is echoed throughout the prophetic literature, such as when God uses Assyria as an instrument of His wrath (Isaiah 10:5-7). Thirdly, within the confessional framework of Psalm 106, this verse highlights God's Unwavering Faithfulness, even in the face of Israel's subsequent and repeated unfaithfulness. The Red Sea deliverance serves as a profound and foundational reminder of God's initial, powerful, and persistent commitment to His covenant with Israel, standing in stark contrast to their short-lived gratitude and quick forgetfulness, as recounted in Psalms 106:12-13.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 106:11 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message of divine power and judgment. The most prominent is Hyperbole, particularly evident in the emphatic phrase "there was not one of them left." While the destruction of Pharaoh's army was indeed devastating and complete from a military standpoint, this absolute declaration serves to magnify the totality of God's victory and the definitive nature of His judgment. It underscores the overwhelming and irresistible power of divine intervention. Furthermore, the verse utilizes Metonymy, where "the waters" stand in for God's active judgment and omnipotent power. The waters are not merely a natural phenomenon but are depicted as instruments of divine will, executing God's decree with precision and force. This also borders on Personification, as the waters are described as actively "covering" and eliminating the enemies, implying a directed, purposeful, and almost sentient action in fulfilling God's command. The verse's concise, declarative, and climactic nature also contributes to its powerful Dramatic Effect, delivering a summary statement of a pivotal historical event designed to evoke awe, fear, and profound recognition of God's unparalleled might and justice.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 106:11 serves as a profound theological statement on God's character and His active involvement in human history. It underscores His absolute sovereignty over all creation and His unwavering, covenantal commitment to His people, even when they are undeserving. The complete destruction of the enemies at the Red Sea is a powerful demonstration of divine justice, where God actively intervenes to protect the innocent and judge the wicked. This foundational act of deliverance establishes a paradigm for God's future interventions, assuring His people that He is capable of overcoming any obstacle or enemy, no matter how formidable. It also highlights the crucial biblical theme of salvation through judgment, where God's righteous judgment on one party (Egypt) becomes the very means of salvation and liberation for another (Israel). This pivotal event is repeatedly referenced throughout the Old Testament as a powerful reminder of God's omnipotence, faithfulness, and redemptive purposes.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 106:11 offers timeless truths for the believer today, reminding us of the God who actively fights for His people. In a world often filled with overwhelming challenges, relentless spiritual adversaries, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles, this verse provides a powerful anchor for our faith. It assures us that the same God who decisively defeated the mighty Egyptian army, leaving "not one of them left," is still sovereign, still omnipotent, and still profoundly committed to delivering His children from every form of bondage and oppression. We are called to remember His past acts of deliverance, both in biblical history and in our own personal narratives, to strengthen our trust in His ability to bring us through current trials and future uncertainties. Just as ancient Israel was freed from physical bondage to Pharaoh, we are reminded of God's power to free us from spiritual bondage, the dominion of sin, and the schemes of the enemy. This verse also serves as a sober reminder of God's unwavering justice; while He is merciful and patient, His ultimate judgment against all forms of evil, rebellion, and opposition to His kingdom is certain and complete. Therefore, our appropriate response should be one of humble trust, unwavering praise for His mighty deeds, and a resolute commitment to remembering His works so that we do not fall into the trap of forgetfulness and disobedience that plagued ancient Israel.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of "not one of them left" in this verse?
Answer: The phrase "there was not one of them left" (KJV) or "not one of them remained" (ESV) signifies the absolute and complete destruction of Pharaoh's army. It is a declaration of total victory and decisive judgment. The theological significance is profound: it demonstrates God's overwhelming power to eliminate any threat to His people and His purposes. This was not a partial defeat but a definitive end to the immediate danger, ensuring Israel's freedom and preventing any further pursuit or harassment from their former oppressors. It underscores the finality of God's judgment against those who defiantly oppose Him and His redemptive plan, providing a sense of secure and complete deliverance for His chosen people.
How does Psalms 106:11 relate to the broader message of Psalm 106?
Answer: Psalms 106:11, detailing the complete destruction of Israel's enemies at the Red Sea, stands as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness and power at the very beginning of Israel's national journey. Within the broader narrative of Psalm 106, which chronicles Israel's repeated rebellion and forgetfulness, this verse serves as a stark contrast and a foundational reminder. It highlights God's initial and consistent commitment to His covenant, even as the psalm goes on to lament Israel's subsequent and frequent failures (e.g., their quick forgetfulness of God's works in Psalms 106:13). The verse underscores the magnitude of God's grace and patience, as He continued to deliver a people who often forgot His mighty works and rebelled against His counsel. It sets the stage for the psalm's overarching message: God's steadfast love endures despite human unfaithfulness, providing a powerful backdrop for understanding His persistent mercy throughout Israel's tumultuous history.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic deliverance at the Red Sea, culminating in the complete destruction of Israel's enemies described in Psalms 106:11, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as the waters "covered their enemies" and left "not one of them left," so Christ, through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, decisively defeated the ultimate enemies of humanity: sin, death, and the devil. The Red Sea crossing is often seen as a type of baptism (as alluded to in 1 Corinthians 10:1-2), signifying a passage from bondage to freedom, from an old life of slavery to a new life of liberation. In Christ, believers are spiritually "baptized into his death" and raised to newness of life, having been delivered from the dominion of darkness and transferred into the glorious kingdom of God's beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). The complete annihilation of Pharaoh's army powerfully foreshadows Christ's absolute and public triumph over all spiritual powers and principalities, leaving no cosmic enemy ultimately standing against those who are in Him (Colossians 2:15). The finality of God's judgment at the Red Sea prefigures the comprehensive and eternal salvation accomplished by the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), ensuring that for those who trust in Him, there is "not one" sin, condemnation, or enemy left that can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1 and Romans 8:38-39).