Psalms 136:13

Translation
King James Version
To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
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KJV (with Strong's)
To him which divided H1504 the Red H5488 sea H3220 into parts H1506: for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever H5769:
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Complete Jewish Bible
to him who split apart the Sea of Suf, for his grace continues forever;
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Berean Standard Bible
He divided the Red Sea in two His loving devotion endures forever.
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American Standard Version
To him that divided the Red Sea in sunder; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever;
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World English Bible Messianic
To him who divided the Sea of Suf apart; for his loving kindness endures forever;
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Which deuided the red Sea in two partes: for his mercie endureth for euer:
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Young's Literal Translation
To Him cutting the sea of Suph into parts, For to the age is His kindness,
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See also
Psalms 78:13Psalms 106:9Psalms 106:11Psalms 66:5Psalms 66:6Exodus 14:29Hebrews 11:29
In the KJVVerse 16,210 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Psalm 136:13 celebrates a monumental act of divine power and deliverance: God's miraculous division of the Red Sea, enabling the Israelites to escape Egyptian bondage. It stands as a powerful testament to God's omnipotence and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, underscored by the psalm's recurring refrain that His steadfast love (mercy) endureth eternally.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Psalm 136 is a unique liturgical psalm, often referred to as "The Great Hallel," distinguished by its responsorial structure. Each verse presents a declaration of God's mighty deeds, followed by the congregational refrain, "for his mercy endureth for ever." The psalm systematically recounts God's creative acts in the creation account, His powerful deliverance of Israel from Egypt (beginning in Exodus 12), His guidance through the wilderness, and His provision of the Promised Land. Verse 13 specifically recalls the pivotal Red Sea crossing, a climactic moment in the Exodus narrative that dramatically demonstrated God's sovereign power and faithfulness to His people. This event is strategically placed after references to the plagues and before the journey through the wilderness, highlighting its significance as the ultimate act of liberation.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The division of the Red Sea (or more accurately, the Reed Sea, Yam Suph) is the defining historical event for ancient Israel, marking their transition from slavery in Egypt to freedom as a nation under God's covenant. This event, detailed in Exodus 14, was not merely a natural phenomenon but a supernatural intervention that destroyed the pursuing Egyptian army and secured Israel's escape. For the Israelites, it established Yahweh as the supreme God, superior to all Egyptian deities, and solidified their identity as His chosen people. Recalling this event in worship would have served as a powerful reminder of God's past faithfulness and a source of hope for future deliverance, reinforcing their national and religious identity in a world dominated by polytheistic empires.
  • Key Themes: Psalm 136:13 powerfully encapsulates several core themes prevalent throughout the book of Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it showcases God's Omnipotent Power, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over creation and His ability to intervene decisively in human history, as seen in the miraculous parting of the waters (Exodus 14:21-22). Secondly, the verse, through its refrain, underscores God's Enduring Mercy (Hebrew: Chesed), emphasizing that His mighty acts are not arbitrary displays of power but are deeply rooted in His steadfast love, covenant faithfulness, and loyal kindness towards His people. This chesed is eternal and unwavering, a theme echoed in passages like Lamentations 3:22-23. Thirdly, it highlights Divine Deliverance and Salvation, portraying the Red Sea crossing as the ultimate act of salvation for Israel, freeing them from slavery and leading them towards their promised inheritance, a foundational example of God's commitment to liberating His people from oppression. Finally, the psalm encourages Remembering God's Works, fostering a communal and personal recollection of God's past acts of faithfulness to reinforce trust and inspire continued praise for His ongoing care and provision.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • divided (Hebrew, gâzar', H1504): From a primitive root meaning "to cut down or off." In this context, it vividly describes God's active, decisive intervention to separate the waters, creating a path through the sea. It implies a definitive, powerful act of severance, not a mere natural occurrence, emphasizing God's absolute control over creation. The related word H1506 (gezer) means "something cut off; a portion; part, piece," reinforcing the idea of a deliberate division into distinct sections.
  • Red (Hebrew, çûwph', H5488): Probably of Egyptian origin, meaning "a reed, especially the papyrus." This term, often translated as "Red Sea," more accurately refers to the "Reed Sea" (Yam Suph). This designation emphasizes the marshy, reedy nature of the body of water, which was a significant geographical barrier. The miracle is heightened by the fact that God made a path through such an impassable, watery expanse, demonstrating His power over all natural obstacles.
  • mercy (Hebrew, chêçêd', H2617): A profound theological term encompassing kindness, loyal love, steadfast love, covenant faithfulness, and enduring goodness. It is not merely pity but an active, committed, and dependable love, especially within the context of a relationship or covenant. The repetition of this word throughout Psalm 136 underscores that God's mighty acts of deliverance are always expressions of His unchanging, faithful, and committed love for His people.

Verse Breakdown

  • "To him which divided the Red sea into parts": This clause directs praise and worship to God, the one who performed the extraordinary act of dividing the Reed Sea. The act of "dividing into parts" emphasizes the miraculous nature of the event, where a natural barrier was supernaturally separated to create a dry path for Israel. This highlights God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His ability to manipulate the natural world for the sake of His people's salvation. It is a direct reference to the pivotal moment 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 waters stand up like walls.
  • "for his mercy endureth for ever": This recurring refrain is the theological anchor of the entire psalm. It provides the divine motivation for all of God's mighty acts, including the division of the Red Sea. The deliverance was not arbitrary but flowed from God's eternal, unwavering chesed—His steadfast, loyal, covenant love. This phrase assures the worshiper that God's faithfulness and goodness are not fleeting but are constant across generations, providing a foundation for trust and hope in His continued care.

Literary Devices

Psalm 136:13 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is Repetition, specifically the Refrain "for his mercy endureth for ever," which appears at the end of every verse in the psalm. This constant repetition serves to underscore the central theological truth that God's steadfast love is the immutable foundation for all His actions, whether in creation, judgment, or deliverance. It acts as a liturgical response, embedding this truth deeply into the minds and hearts of the worshipers. The verse also utilizes Metonymy by referring to "the Red sea" (or Reed Sea) as a symbol of insurmountable obstacles and ultimate deliverance. The act of dividing this sea is a powerful Metaphor for God's ability to make a way where there seems to be no way, transforming an impassable barrier into a path of salvation. Furthermore, the psalm as a whole functions as a Hymn of Praise, recounting God's historical acts to evoke worship and gratitude, with verse 13 serving as a key historical anchor for this praise.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Psalm 136:13 stands as a profound theological statement, asserting God's absolute sovereignty over creation and history, driven by His unchanging character of chesed. The division of the Red Sea is not merely a historical event but a paradigmatic act of salvation, demonstrating that God's power is always exercised in conjunction with His covenant faithfulness and steadfast love. This event prefigures future acts of divine intervention and serves as an eternal promise that God will always provide a way of escape and deliverance for His people, even from the most formidable adversaries. It grounds the worshiper's trust in a God whose past faithfulness guarantees His future care, reminding them that His mercy is the enduring bedrock of their hope and security.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Psalm 136:13 invites contemporary believers to deeply ponder the nature of God and His active presence in their lives. Just as God miraculously intervened to part the Red Sea for Israel, He remains the same God who can make a way through our seemingly impossible circumstances. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of unwavering trust, remembering that no obstacle is too great for His omnipotent power. Furthermore, the enduring refrain, "for his mercy endureth for ever," reassures us that God's actions are always rooted in His steadfast love. In moments of doubt, fear, or overwhelming challenge, we are encouraged to recall God's past faithfulness—both in biblical history and in our personal experiences—and to rest in the certainty that His chesed will never fail. This remembrance fosters gratitude, strengthens faith, and inspires persistent praise, transforming our perspective from despair to hopeful reliance on His eternal mercy.

Questions for Reflection

  • What "Red Seas" or seemingly insurmountable obstacles are you currently facing in your life? How does remembering God's power in Psalm 136:13 encourage you in these situations?
  • How does the concept of God's "mercy enduring forever" impact your understanding of His character and your relationship with Him?
  • In what practical ways can you regularly remember and give thanks for God's past acts of deliverance in your life and in the history of His people?

FAQ

What is the significance of the "Red Sea" in this verse?

Answer: The "Red Sea" (more accurately, Yam Suph or "Reed Sea") in Psalms 136:13 refers to the body of water that God miraculously divided to allow the Israelites to escape from the pursuing Egyptian army, as recounted in Exodus 14. Its significance is profound: it represents the ultimate act of divine deliverance, marking the definitive liberation of Israel from slavery and establishing God's supreme power over all natural forces and human oppressors. It served as a foundational event that shaped Israel's identity and their understanding of God's covenant faithfulness.

Why is the phrase "for his mercy endureth for ever" repeated so many times in Psalm 136?

Answer: The repetition of "for his mercy endureth for ever" (Hebrew: ki l'olam chasdo) at the end of every verse in Psalm 136 is a central liturgical and theological device. It serves multiple purposes: it emphasizes that every act of God, whether in creation, judgment, or deliverance (like the Red Sea parting), is fundamentally motivated by His eternal and unchanging chesed—His steadfast love, loyal kindness, and covenant faithfulness. This refrain encourages communal participation in worship, reinforces the enduring nature of God's character, and provides a constant source of assurance and hope for the worshiper, reminding them that God's goodness is not fleeting but everlasting, as also highlighted in 1 Chronicles 16:34.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While Psalm 136:13 celebrates a historical act of physical deliverance, its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning are found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The division of the Red Sea, a seemingly impossible act that made a way through an impassable barrier, powerfully foreshadows Christ's victory over sin and death, which were the ultimate barriers between humanity and God. Just as Israel was delivered from bondage to Pharaoh, humanity is delivered from the bondage of sin through Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross. The "way" made through the Red Sea points to Jesus, who declares Himself to be "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). His resurrection is the ultimate demonstration of God's power, making a way out of the grave and into eternal life for all who believe. The enduring mercy (chesed) celebrated in the psalm finds its supreme expression in God's sending of His Son, the Lamb of God, to bear the sins of the world (John 3:16). Thus, the Red Sea miracle, a testament to God's saving power and eternal love, culminates in the greater salvation accomplished by Christ, through whom God's mercy truly endureth forever for all who are "in Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

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Commentary on Psalms 136 verses 10–22

The great things God for Israel, when he first formed them into a people, and set up his kingdom among them, are here mentioned, as often elsewhere in the psalms, as instances both of the power of God and of the particular kindness he had for Israel. See Psa 135:8, etc. 1. He brought them out of Egypt, Psa 136:10-12. That was a mercy which endured long to them, and our redemption by Christ, which was typified by that, does indeed endure for ever, for it is an eternal redemption. Of all the plagues of Egypt, none is mentioned but the death of the first-born, because that was the conquering plague; by that God, who in all the plagues distinguished the Israelites from the Egyptians, brought them at last from among them, not by a wile, but with a strong hand and an arm stretched out to reach far and do great things. These miracles of mercy, as they proved Moses's commission to give law to Israel, so they laid Israel under lasting obligations to obey that law, Exo 20:2. 2. He forced them a way through the Red Sea, which obstructed them at their first setting out. By the power he has to control the common course of nature he divided the sea into two parts, between which he opened a path, and made Israel to pass between the parts, now that they were to enter into covenant with him; see Jer 34:18. He not only divided the sea, but gave his people courage to go through it when it was divided, which was an instance of God's power over men's hearts, as the former of his power over the waters. And, to make it a miracle of justice as well as mercy, the same Red Sea that was a lane to the Israelites was a grave to their pursuers. There he shook off Pharaoh and his host. 3. He conducted them through a vast howling wilderness (Psa 136:16); there he led them and fed them. Their camp was victualled and fortified by a constant series of miracles for forty years; though they loitered and wandered there, they were not lost. And in this the mercy of God, and the constancy of that mercy, were the more observable because they often provoked him in the wilderness and grieved him in the desert. 4. He destroyed kings before them, to make room for them (Psa 136:17, Psa 136:18), not deposed and banished them, but smote and slew them, in which appeared his wrath against them, but his mercy, his never-failing mercy, to Israel. And that which magnified it was that they were great kings and famous kings, yet God subdued them as easily as if they had been the least, and weakest, and meanest, of the children of men. They were wicked kings, and then their grandeur and lustre would not secure them from the justice of God. The more great and famous they were the more did God's mercy to Israel appear in giving such kings for them. Sihon and Og are particularly mentioned, because they were the first two that were conquered on the other side Jordan, Psa 136:19, Psa 136:20. It is good to enter into the detail of God's favours and not to view them in the gross, and in each instance to observe, and own, that God's mercy endureth for ever. 5. He put them in possession of a good land, Psa 136:21, Psa 136:22. He whose the earth is, and the fulness thereof, the world and those that dwell therein, took land from one people and gave it to another, as pleased him. The iniquity of the Amorites was now full, and therefore it was taken from them. Israel was his servant, and, though they had been provoking in the wilderness, yet he intended to have some service out of them, for to them pertained the service of God. As he said to the Egyptians, Let my people go, so to the Canaanites, Let my people in, that they may serve me. In this God's mercy to them endureth for ever, because it was a figure of the heavenly Canaan, the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 10–22. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 136
"Who divided the Red Sea in two parts" [Psalm 136:13]. He divided also in such wise, that the same baptism should be to some unto life, to others unto death.
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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