Psalms 106:9

KJV

He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He rebuked the Sea of Suf, and it dried up; he led them through its depths as through a desert.

Berean Standard Bible

He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; He led them through the depths as through a desert.

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.

Commentary

### 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](/psalms/106-7 "Psalm 106:7 - Israel Forgets God's Wonders").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Red Sea crossing, meticulously detailed in [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Crossing of the Red Sea"), 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](/psalms/74-13 "Psalm 74:13 - God's Power Over the Sea Monsters")). 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](/psalms/106-13 "Psalm 106:13 - Israel's Forgetfulness and Disobedience")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rebuked (Hebrew, _gâʻar'_):** 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](/psalms/9-5 "Psalm 9:5 - God Rebukes the Nations") or [Zechariah 3:2](/zechariah/3-2 "Zechariah 3:2 - The Lord Rebukes Satan")), 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'_):** 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'_):** 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](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21-22 - The Parting of the Red Sea"), 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.

* [Exodus 14:21-22](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21-22 - The Parting of the Red Sea")
* [Isaiah 43:2](/isaiah/43-2 "Isaiah 43:2 - God's Presence Through Waters and Fire")
* [Psalm 93:4](/psalms/93-4 "Psalm 93:4 - The Lord's Power Over the Mighty Waters")

### 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](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Crossing of the Red Sea") 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](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")). 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](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God")). 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](/1_corinthians/10-1-2 "1 Corinthians 10:1-2 - Israel's Baptism in the Cloud and Sea")), 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](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), 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](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - New Life in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 18:15

Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

Nahum 1:4

He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.

Exodus 14:27

And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.

Exodus 14:29

But the children of Israel walked upon dry [land] in the midst of the sea; and the waters [were] a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

Psalms 78:13

He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.

Exodus 14:21

¶ And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go [back] by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry [land], and the waters were divided.

Exodus 14:22

And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry [ground]: and the waters [were] a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.