Psalms 106:9

Translation
King James Version
He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.
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KJV (with Strong's)
He rebuked H1605 the Red H5488 sea H3220 also, and it was dried up H2717: so he led H3212 them through the depths H8415, as through the wilderness H4057.
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Complete Jewish Bible
He rebuked the Sea of Suf, and it dried up; he led them through its depths as through a desert.
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Berean Standard Bible
He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; He led them through the depths as through a desert.
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American Standard Version
He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up: So he led them through the depths, as through a wilderness.
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World English Bible Messianic
He rebuked the Sea of Suf also, and it was dried up; so he led them through the depths, as through a desert.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
And he rebuked the red Sea, and it was dryed vp, and he led them in the deepe, as in the wildernesse.
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Young's Literal Translation
And rebuketh the sea of Suph, and it is dried up, And causeth them to go Through depths as a wilderness.
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See also
Psalms 18:15Nahum 1:4Exodus 14:27Exodus 14:29Psalms 78:13Exodus 14:21Exodus 14:22
In the KJVVerse 15,661 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Psalms 106:9 vividly recounts the Lord's miraculous intervention at the Red Sea, a pivotal moment in Israel's history of deliverance from Egyptian bondage. This verse powerfully highlights God's absolute sovereignty over creation, demonstrating His immense power to command the natural elements and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, making a way for them through seemingly impassable obstacles and guiding them through the depths as if through a dry wilderness. It stands as a foundational declaration of God as the ultimate deliverer and faithful guide.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Psalm 106 is a historical psalm, forming a crucial part of the fourth book of the Psalter. It functions as a national confession, recounting Israel's recurring cycle of rebellion and God's persistent mercy throughout their history, from the Exodus to the Babylonian exile. It serves as a stark counterpoint to Psalm 105, which celebrates God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. While Psalm 105 focuses on God's mighty acts on behalf of His people, Psalm 106 emphasizes Israel's chronic unfaithfulness and God's enduring grace despite it. Verses 7-12 specifically recall the events surrounding the Exodus from Egypt, beginning with Israel's initial grumbling at the Red Sea and culminating in their miraculous deliverance and subsequent, albeit temporary, trust in God. This section sets the stage for the recurring pattern of sin, judgment, and divine deliverance that characterizes the rest of the psalm, underscoring God's steadfast love even in the face of human rebellion and forgetfulness, as noted in Psalm 106:7.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The Red Sea crossing, meticulously detailed in Exodus 14, was the defining event of Israel's liberation from over 400 years of brutal slavery in Egypt. This miracle was not merely a convenient escape but a profound act of divine judgment against Pharaoh and the pantheon of Egyptian gods, and a spectacular demonstration of Yahweh's unparalleled power to both His people and the surrounding nations. For ancient Israelites, the sea often represented a chaotic, untamable force, frequently associated with primeval chaos and formidable power (as seen in Psalm 74:13). God's "rebuke" of the sea would have been understood as a direct confrontation and subjugation of this formidable power, asserting His absolute dominion over all creation. The subsequent journey "through the wilderness" was also a culturally significant experience, symbolizing a prolonged period of testing, complete dependence on God, and the formation of national identity, where God miraculously provided manna, water, and protection.
  • Key Themes: This verse encapsulates several major theological themes prevalent throughout the Psalms and the broader Old Testament narrative. Primarily, it highlights Divine Power and Sovereignty, showcasing God's absolute authority over nature and His ability to intervene supernaturally in human affairs, bending creation to His will. The Miraculous Deliverance of Israel from an impossible situation underscores God's role as a mighty Savior, providing salvation where there was no humanly conceivable way. Furthermore, the phrase "so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness" emphasizes God's Guidance and Provision, illustrating His intimate involvement in leading His people through challenging, overwhelming circumstances. This act serves as a foundational example of God's Covenant Faithfulness, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, even when His people proved unfaithful, as the psalm continually laments (e.g., Psalm 106:13).

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Rebuked (Hebrew, gâʻar', H1605): The Hebrew verb גָּעַר (H1605) denotes a strong, authoritative command, a stern warning, or a forceful silencing. It implies a direct confrontation and subjugation, often with a sense of indignation or displeasure. When applied to God, as here and in other passages (e.g., Psalm 9:5 or Zechariah 3:2), it signifies His absolute power to bring order to chaos, to quell rebellious forces, or to assert His dominion over creation. It's not merely a suggestion but a divine decree that compels immediate and complete obedience, illustrating God's personal and active control over the elements.
  • Dried up (Hebrew, chârab', H2717): The Hebrew verb חָרַב (H2717) means "to parch," "to be desolate," "to become dry," or "to lay waste." In the context of the sea, it describes the complete removal of water, making the seabed utterly walkable and barren. This term emphasizes the totality and unnaturalness of the event; the sea did not merely recede but became utterly dry, creating a clear and firm path. This miraculous drying is a direct and immediate consequence of God's rebuke, highlighting the instantaneous and comprehensive nature of His divine intervention, demonstrating His power to reverse the natural order.
  • Depths (Hebrew, tᵉhôwm', H8415): The Hebrew noun תְּהוֹם (H8415), often used in the plural as here, refers to deep waters, the abyss, or the primeval ocean. It frequently carries connotations of vastness, power, and sometimes even chaos or danger, echoing the primordial waters of creation. By leading them "through the depths," the psalmist emphasizes the immense scale of the miracle and the overwhelming nature of the obstacle God overcame. It was not a shallow ford but the very heart of the sea that was parted, underscoring the magnitude of God's power and the human impossibility of the situation without His direct intervention.

Verse Breakdown

  • "He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up:" This clause immediately establishes God (implied by "He") as the active, sovereign agent and the Red Sea as the passive recipient of His authoritative command. The verb "rebuked" (H1605, gâʻar) conveys divine authority and a forceful, almost personal, confrontation with the mighty waters. The immediate consequence, "and it was dried up" (H2717, chârab), highlights the instantaneous and absolute obedience of creation to its Creator's voice. This is a direct reference to the miraculous event described in Exodus 14:21-22, where Moses stretched out his hand and the Lord drove back the sea with a strong east wind, making the seabed dry.
  • "so he led them through the depths," Following the miraculous drying, God's active role shifts from commanding creation to guiding His people. The conjunction "so" indicates the direct result of the previous action, demonstrating the cause-and-effect relationship between God's power and His people's deliverance. Leading them "through the depths" (H8415, tᵉhôwm) emphasizes the extraordinary nature of the path. It wasn't a detour around the sea, but a passage through its very heart, a place of immense power and danger, now rendered safe and passable by divine intervention. This underscores God's direct involvement in their journey and His provision of a way where none existed.
  • "as through the wilderness." This final phrase employs a Simile to compare the miraculous passage through the Red Sea to a journey "through the wilderness" (H4057, midbâr). It suggests that just as God guided and provided for Israel in the barren, challenging wilderness, so too did He guide them through the equally formidable and seemingly impassable "depths" of the sea. This comparison highlights God's consistent presence and leadership in all of Israel's difficult circumstances, whether watery or dry, emphasizing His comprehensive and continuous guidance and provision for His people.

Literary Devices

Psalms 106:9 masterfully employs several Literary Devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is Anthropomorphism, where God is depicted as "rebuking" the Red Sea. This attributes human-like action (a stern command or scolding, usually directed at a person or rebellious entity) to God, emphasizing His personal engagement and absolute authority over the natural world, treating the sea not as an impersonal force but as something capable of hearing and obeying His voice. This vivid imagery underscores the direct and powerful nature of His intervention. Furthermore, the phrase "through the depths" functions as a powerful Metaphor for an overwhelming, impossible obstacle, which God miraculously transforms into a path of salvation and deliverance. The verse also utilizes Simile in the concluding phrase, "as through the wilderness." This comparison draws a parallel between the miraculous passage through the sea and the subsequent journey through the desert, highlighting God's consistent guidance and provision in all challenging environments. Implicitly, there is also Parallelism between the two halves of the verse, where God's display of power over the sea (rebuking and drying) is directly linked to His benevolent leadership of His people (leading them through), showcasing His dual roles as sovereign Creator and faithful Shepherd.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Psalms 106:9 stands as a powerful testament to God's ultimate sovereignty, His miraculous power, and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. The divine "rebuke" of the Red Sea is not merely a display of raw power but an act rooted in God's redemptive purpose, demonstrating that no force, natural or otherwise, can thwart His plans for His chosen ones. This event, foundational to Israel's identity, encapsulates the theme of divine deliverance from impossible situations, establishing God as the supreme deliverer who makes a way where there is no way. It also foreshadows God's continued guidance through life's "depths" and "wilderness" experiences, assuring believers of His constant presence and provision, even when human strength and ingenuity fail.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Psalms 106:9 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating their own "Red Sea" moments—those seemingly insurmountable obstacles, overwhelming crises, or periods of profound uncertainty. Just as God demonstrated His absolute power and faithfulness by parting the waters for Israel, He remains the same sovereign Lord today, capable of making a way for us through our deepest "depths" and guiding us through our personal "wilderness" experiences. This verse calls us to remember God's past faithfulness, to trust in His present power, and to have unwavering hope for His future deliverance. It reminds us that our challenges, no matter how immense, are never too great for the God who commands the seas. Our faith is not in our ability to overcome, but in His unfailing power to deliver and lead us safely through. When we feel trapped between an impossible obstacle and a pursuing adversary, we are invited to look to the One who rebukes chaos and creates paths where there were none, confident that His power is sufficient for every need.

Questions for Reflection

  • What "Red Sea" or "wilderness" challenge are you currently facing that feels insurmountable, and how does this verse speak to your situation?
  • How does remembering God's past acts of deliverance, both in Scripture and in your own life, strengthen your faith for present difficulties?
  • In what ways might God be calling you to trust His guidance through a path you cannot yet see, much like Israel trusted Him through the depths of the sea?
  • How can the truth of God's sovereignty over all creation, as powerfully demonstrated in this verse, bring you comfort and peace in anxious times?

FAQ

Was the Red Sea crossing a natural phenomenon or a miracle?

Answer: While some attempts have been made to explain the Red Sea crossing through natural phenomena like exceptionally strong winds or tsunamis, the biblical account in Exodus 14 and the poetic retelling in Psalms 106:9 clearly present it as a profound miracle, a supernatural act of divine intervention. The text states that God "rebuked" the sea and it "was dried up," implying a direct, authoritative command that goes beyond natural processes. The immediate drying of the seabed, the walls of water on either side, and the precise timing of the event for Israel's escape and Egypt's subsequent destruction, all point to a deliberate, miraculous act of God, not a coincidental natural event. The very use of "rebuked" (H1605, gâʻar) suggests a personal, powerful confrontation by God with the elements, forcing them to submit to His will in a way that defies natural explanation.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Psalms 106:9, with its vivid portrayal of God's absolute authority over creation and His miraculous deliverance of Israel through the Red Sea, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as God "rebuked the Red sea," Jesus, the incarnate God, demonstrated the same divine authority over nature, rebuking the wind and the waves, causing a great calm (as seen in Mark 4:39). This shows that the power displayed at the Red Sea was not merely an Old Testament phenomenon but an inherent attribute of the Son of God, who is "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation" (Colossians 1:15). Furthermore, the Red Sea crossing is a powerful Old Testament type of salvation and new life, often paralleled with Christian baptism (as described in 1 Corinthians 10:1-2), where believers pass through the waters to new life, leaving the bondage of sin behind. Christ is the ultimate deliverer who leads His people "through the depths" of sin and death, making a way for us through His own sacrifice on the cross. He is the true "way, and the truth, and the life" (as He declares in John 14:6), guiding us not merely through a physical wilderness but through the spiritual wilderness of this fallen world to the promised land of eternal life, having already secured our victory over the forces that once enslaved us by His resurrection (Romans 6:4).

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Commentary on Psalms 106 verses 6–12

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points

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.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 6–12. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 106
"He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up" [Psalm 106:9]. We do not read that any voice was sent forth from Heaven to rebuke the sea; but he has called the Divine Power by which this was effected, a rebuke: unless indeed any one may choose to say, that the sea was secretly rebuked, so that the waters might hear, and yet men could not. The power by which God acts is very abstruse and mysterious, a power which He causes that even things devoid of sense instantly obey at His will. "So He led them through the deeps, as through a wilderness." He calls a multitude of waters the deeps. For some wishing to give the sense of this whole verse, have translated, "So He led them forth amid many waters." What then does "through the deeps, as through a wilderness," mean, except that that had become as a wilderness from its dryness, where before had been the watery deeps?
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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