Psalms 78:53
And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּנְחֵ֣ם
And he led
H5148
וַיַּנְחֵ֣ם
And he led
Strong's:
H5148
Word #:
1 of 8
to guide; by implication, to transport (into exile, or as colonists)
לָ֭בֶטַח
them on safely
H983
לָ֭בֶטַח
them on safely
Strong's:
H983
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
פָחָ֑דוּ
so that they feared
H6342
פָחָ֑דוּ
so that they feared
Strong's:
H6342
Word #:
4 of 8
to be startled (by a sudden alarm); hence, to fear in general
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 8
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Exodus 15:10Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.Hebrews 11:29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.Psalms 136:15But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.Exodus 14:15And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:
Historical Context
The Red Sea deliverance became Israel's foundational salvation event, commemorated annually in Passover. Crossing through water prefigured Christian baptism (1 Corinthians 10:1-2). For Asaph's audience facing Assyrian threats, remembering God's past deliverances encouraged faith that He would act again—a principle Jesus affirmed (Matthew 6:25-34).
Questions for Reflection
- What 'seas' in your life has God parted for you while overwhelming your spiritual enemies?
- How does rehearsing past deliverances strengthen faith during present trials?
- In what ways does baptism symbolize both salvation for believers and judgment for Christ-rejecters?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. God's guidance produced safely (labetach, לָבֶטַח)—confident security amid danger. The Hebrew root batach means to trust or feel secure, indicating that safety was both objective (God's protection) and subjective (Israel's confidence). They feared not because divine presence banishes terror (Psalm 23:4).
The dramatic contrast—Israel's safety versus Egypt's drowning—underscores God's discriminating judgment. The sea overwhelmed their enemies (kissah et-oyeveihem, כִּסָּה אֶת־אֹיְבֵיהֶם) recalls the Red Sea crossing (Exodus 14:26-28), where the same waters that saved Israel destroyed Pharaoh's army. This pattern repeats throughout redemptive history: baptism saves believers but signifies judgment for unbelievers (1 Peter 3:20-21).
The psalm emphasizes divine agency—God led, God made safe, God overwhelmed. Israel's role was passive trust; Yahweh did the fighting. This anticipates Paul's teaching that salvation is by grace through faith, not human effort (Ephesians 2:8-9).