Psalms 78:53

53 He led them safely, and they were not afraid; but the sea covered their enemies.

Psalms 78:53 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 78:53

And he led them on safely
Through the sea, where the waters were on each side; and through the wilderness, in which were serpents and scorpions, and where they were attacked by many powerful enemies:

so that they feared not;
for though they feared for a while at the Red sea, yet their fears were soon silenced, and they by faith passed through the Red sea as on dry land; and especially their fears were gone, when they saw the Egyptians dead on the sea shore; wherefore it follows:

but the sea overwhelmed their enemies;
or "covered" them ^F16; the waters returned, and overflowed and drowned the Egyptians, who were their implacable enemies, and vowed their destruction, and were sure of it; but now the Israelites had nothing to fear from them.

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 (hok) "operuit", Pagninus, Montanus, Musculus, Piscator, Gejerus.

Psalms 78:53 In-Context

51 He struck all the firstborn in Egypt, the first progeny of the tents of Ham.

52 He led His people out like sheep and guided them like a flock in the wilderness.

53 He led them safely, and they were not afraid; but the sea covered their enemies.

54 He brought them to His holy land, to the mountain His right hand acquired.

55 He drove out nations before them. He apportioned their inheritance by lot and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.

Footnotes

• [a]. Ex 14; 15:19; Jos 24:7