Psalm 136:15 kjv
But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 136:15 nkjv
But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, For His mercy endures forever;
Psalm 136:15 niv
but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea; His love endures forever.
Psalm 136:15 esv
but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever;
Psalm 136:15 nlt
but he hurled Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea.
? His faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 136 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 14:27 | And the waters returned... not one of them remained. | God's complete destruction of Egyptians. |
| Exod 15:1 | ...The Lord has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. | Song of Moses celebrating Red Sea deliverance. |
| Deut 11:4 | ...what he did to the army of Egypt, to their horses and to their chariots, how he made the water of the Red Sea flow over them. | Remembering God's judgment at the Red Sea. |
| Neh 9:11 | You divided the sea before them... but their pursuers you threw into the depths. | Echoing God's Red Sea deliverance in prayer. |
| Ps 78:53 | He led them in safety... but the sea swallowed up their enemies. | God's protective guidance and enemy's doom. |
| Ps 106:11 | The waters covered their adversaries; not one of them was left. | Similar phrasing to Ps 136:15, confirming the destruction. |
| Isa 43:16 | ...who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters. | God's power over the Red Sea, a new Exodus. |
| Isa 51:10 | Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep... | Recalling Red Sea miracle as comfort for future deliverance. |
| Mic 7:19 | He will again have compassion on us... He will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. | Imagery of divine act (casting into sea) for sin removal. |
| Ps 136:1 | Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. | The recurring refrain; context for divine actions. |
| Lam 3:22-23 | The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. | Nature of God's unfailing "hesed". |
| Joel 2:13 | ...for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love... | Attributes of God's "hesed". |
| Hos 11:1 | When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. | God's initial call and love for Israel through the Exodus. |
| Heb 11:29 | By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up. | New Testament perspective on Red Sea event. |
| Rev 15:3 | And they sing the song of Moses... and the song of the Lamb... | Reference to the Exodus event in the heavenly worship. |
| Ps 34:19 | Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. | General truth of God's deliverance. |
| Ps 50:15 | Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you... | God as the deliverer from trouble. |
| Ps 91:3 | For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. | God's protection and deliverance. |
| Prov 21:30 | No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord. | Reinforces God's ultimate sovereignty and power. |
| Isa 27:1 | In that day the Lord with his hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan... | Foreshadows ultimate judgment on all rebellion against God. |
| Rom 9:17 | For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you." | God's use of Pharaoh for demonstrating divine power. |
| Jude 1:5 | ...who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. | God's deliverance and judgment linked. |
Psalm 136 verses
Psalm 136 15 Meaning
Psalm 136:15 declares that God definitively overturned Pharaoh and his entire army in the Red Sea. This mighty act of judgment and deliverance was not arbitrary, but driven by and foundational evidence of His steadfast, covenantal love that endures forever. The verse highlights God's supreme power over all earthly opposition and His unfailing faithfulness to His people, manifested through both salvation and necessary destruction.
Psalm 136 15 Context
Psalm 136 is a liturgical psalm, likely intended for responsive worship in ancient Israel. Each verse recounts a specific act of God's goodness, creation, or salvation history, followed by the congregational refrain, "for His steadfast love endures forever." Verses 10-15 focus on the Exodus from Egypt, leading up to and culminating in the definitive crossing of the Red Sea and the destruction of the Egyptian army. This event marks the definitive deliverance of Israel from bondage and the establishment of God's covenant with them. The historical context is Israel's formative period, when God decisively showed His power over all human and idolatrous opposition, particularly against the might of Pharaoh and the false gods of Egypt.
Psalm 136 15 Word analysis
- But: (וְנִעֵר, w'ni'er) Acts as a strong contrast to the preceding acts of delivering Israel, marking the dramatic turn in the Exodus narrative where God actively removes the enemy.
- overthrew: (נִעֵר, ni'er - from the verb root נער) Literally means "shook off," "cast out," or "purged." It implies a complete and decisive action, a violent and irreversible removal. It signifies God's powerful, sovereign intervention, demonstrating His absolute control over the elements and His enemies.
- Pharaoh: (פַּרְעֹה, par'oh) Refers to the specific ruler of Egypt who enslaved Israel. In a broader sense, Pharaoh symbolizes any powerful human ruler or system that opposes God's will and persecutes His people.
- and his host: (וְחֵילוֹ, w'cheylo - "his army") Denotes Pharaoh's entire military force—chariots, horsemen, and soldiers—the pinnacle of worldly might at that time. God's overthrow encompassed all their power and resources, demonstrating that no human force can stand against Him.
- in the Red Sea: (בְּיַם-סוּף, b'Yam Suph - "in the Sea of Reeds") This geographical marker pinpoints the location of God's miraculous intervention. "Yam Suph" is likely the Bitter Lakes region or a reed-filled body of water, but its identity is secondary to its theological significance. It became the stage for God's greatest display of deliverance for Israel and judgment for Egypt, an event marking the definitive break from slavery and the inauguration of a new phase in God's relationship with His people.
- for His steadfast love: (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, ki l'olam chasdo) This is the consistent refrain of the psalm, answering why God performs these acts. Hesed (חֶסֶד) is a profound Hebrew theological term meaning "loyal love," "covenant faithfulness," "mercy," "kindness," and "goodness." It describes God's committed, unchanging devotion to His covenant promises and His people. It is not a sentimental emotion but an active, unwavering loyalty that motivates all His saving and judging actions.
- endures forever: (לְעוֹלָם, l'olam) Emphasizes the eternal, unchanging nature of God's hesed. It's not a fleeting emotion but an inherent, perpetual aspect of God's character and His interaction with humanity. This timelessness assures His people of continuous help and faithfulness.
Words-Group Analysis:
- Overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea: This phrase encapsulates a singular, climactic event that defines the nature of God's power and sovereignty. It signifies God's active, decisive judgment against oppression and idolatry, showcasing His ability to destroy the greatest human military force with ease. It's an act of "divine war" on behalf of His chosen people.
- for His steadfast love endures forever: This is the theological interpretive lens for the entire psalm. It reveals that even an act of devastating judgment is ultimately rooted in God's hesed. The destruction of Egypt was an act of mercy for Israel, fulfilling His covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. His loyal love compels Him to protect His people and remove obstacles to their deliverance, making Him worthy of eternal gratitude.
Psalm 136 15 Bonus section
The destruction of Pharaoh's army in the Red Sea served as a critical anti-idolatry polemic. Egyptian religion deified Pharaoh, considered him a living god and the son of Re. God's act demonstrated His absolute supremacy over Pharaoh and the entire Egyptian pantheon (their sun gods, Nile gods, and gods of war and creation). The Sea of Reeds also symbolizes a divine act of 're-creation' or 'birth' for Israel, analogous to baptism where the old life (of slavery) is "drowned" and a new life (of freedom) emerges. This event is a prototype of spiritual deliverance and judgment, teaching that God is actively involved in history to bring about His redemptive purposes, ultimately for His glory and for the benefit of His covenant people, all fueled by His eternal hesed.
Psalm 136 15 Commentary
Psalm 136:15 stands as a profound declaration of God's redemptive power and enduring hesed. The drowning of Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea was not merely a historical incident but a paradigmatic event revealing God's character. It showcased His supreme sovereignty over creation and all human forces, decisively shattering the oppressive power of Egypt and its gods. This act, while involving destruction, was the ultimate expression of His covenantal love towards Israel, making His deliverance real and His promises secure. It demonstrates that God's hesed is an active, holy love that acts justly on behalf of His people, even if it requires the overthrow of their enemies. This Red Sea moment established the truth that nothing can thwart God's plans for those He loves.
- Example: When facing an overwhelming difficulty, the verse reminds believers that God has historically "overthrown" forces far greater than theirs.
- Example: In moments of spiritual bondage, the verse offers hope that God's "steadfast love" can break any chain, just as He broke Egypt's hold on Israel.