Psalms 106:9
He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.
Psalms 106:9
Psalm 106 recounts Israel’s history, highlighting God’s steadfast faithfulness amid human stubbornness. In this verse, the psalmist recalls the timeless story of God’s wondrous deliverance of Israel at the Red Sea. The sea is rebuked, divided, and dried up, allowing the nation to pass “through the depths, as through the wilderness.” The imagery blends two great wilderness motifs: crossing a treacherous, hostile environment and moving through a difficult, uncharted time with God as guide. Historically, Exodus 14 describes God’s command to Moses to stretch out his staff, the parting of the sea, and the miraculous passage of the Israelites. Culturally, the Red Sea episode demonstrates Yahweh’s power over nature and over nations that oppress his people. The psalmist situates this event within Israel’s broader pattern of rebellion and rescue, reminding readers that God’s saving acts often come through situations of danger and apparent helplessness. The phrase “the depths” signals depths and waters as obstacles, not merely geography—a vivid symbol of chaos conquered by divine sovereignty.
This verse highlights God’s lordship over creation and his present, saving intervention in history. It shows that salvation often proceeds through what appears to be a crisis: a rebuke that becomes a deliverance, a path through peril that becomes a path to freedom. The Red Sea episode anchors the concept of God as Deliverer who rescues not merely individuals but the entire community from bondage—physical and existential. It foreshadows the biblical pattern of salvation: God sees vulnerability, acts decisively, and leads his people by faith through peril toward promised blessing. The verse also underscores God’s initiative: he rebukes the sea, then opens a way. For believers, this signals trust in God’s power when circumstances seem impossible and affirms that God will provide a way when human options run out.
When you face a “Red Sea” moment—an obstacle that blocks a clear path—remember that God can rebuke storms and make a way through the impossible. This isn’t about showy miracles alone but about God’s faithfulness to guide you through fear and confusion. Practical steps: name the obstacle honestly (health, finances, relationship), pray for God’s direction, and look for a “way through” that aligns with His character (justice, mercy, faithfulness). Like Israel, you may feel boxed in, but God invites you to trust his timing and leadership. In daily life, this could mean taking a difficult conversation with a calm, compassionate posture; choosing to forgive rather than retaliate; or stepping forward in faith when the obvious path is blocked. The Red Sea reminds us that God is not distant but present in the crisis, guiding us through by faith.
Cross-References: Exodus 14; Psalm 77:19; Isaiah 43:16-19; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4