"And made Israel pass through the midst of it, For His lovingkindness is everlasting;" (v.14). Here, the psalmist continues highlighting God’s mighty deeds, specifically referring to the crossing of the Red Sea. Israel had been in bondage in the land of Egypt, a powerful kingdom in northeast Africa that was ruled by Pharaohs who saw the Israelites as a threat (approximately 1446 BC for the date of the Exodus). As the Egyptians pursued the fleeing Israelites, Scripture testifies that the LORD miraculously parted the Red Sea so that the Israelites could walk through on dry ground. By passing “through the midst” of the sea, the people experienced the direct care and power of God, who saved them from seemingly hopeless circumstances. He then allowed the waters to collapse upon the Egyptian army, ensuring Israel’s safe passage into the wilderness (Exodus 14, ).
When Psalm 136:14 says God “made Israel pass through the midst of it,” the reference points to that moment of miraculous deliverance. It underscores that God’s love, or “lovingkindness,” endures forever. The Hebrew notion here is “hesed,” which can denote loyal love, covenant faithfulness, or unfailing mercy. Over and again, the Old Testament shows us that even though threats arise in life—be it exile, oppressive regimes, or false gods—God’s steadfast love remains constant (Psalm 136:12, ). As Psalm 136 recites God’s wonders, the rescue at the Red Sea is an emblem of His unwavering commitment to protect His people, no matter how dire their predicament. Deeper references in the Old Testament tie this event to God’s sovereign power, reminding us that He shapes the forces of nature to bring about His salvation (Habakkuk 3:8-15, ).
The awe-inspiring deliverance at the Red Sea also foreshadows Jesus’s saving work in the New Testament, where the Son of God fulfils the same protective and redemptive theme. Just as Israel was brought from bondage and into freedom through the parted sea, so believers are brought from the slavery of sin into the freedom found in Christ (1 Corinthians 10:1-2).
He delivered them from slavery into freedom because “His lovingkindness is everlasting,” a refrain that is repeated in Psalm 136 to emphasize God’s eternally unchanging mercy toward His covenant people.
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Psalms 136:14 meaning
"And made Israel pass through the midst of it, For His lovingkindness is everlasting;" (v.14). Here, the psalmist continues highlighting God’s mighty deeds, specifically referring to the crossing of the Red Sea. Israel had been in bondage in the land of Egypt, a powerful kingdom in northeast Africa that was ruled by Pharaohs who saw the Israelites as a threat (approximately 1446 BC for the date of the Exodus). As the Egyptians pursued the fleeing Israelites, Scripture testifies that the LORD miraculously parted the Red Sea so that the Israelites could walk through on dry ground. By passing “through the midst” of the sea, the people experienced the direct care and power of God, who saved them from seemingly hopeless circumstances. He then allowed the waters to collapse upon the Egyptian army, ensuring Israel’s safe passage into the wilderness (Exodus 14, ).
When Psalm 136:14 says God “made Israel pass through the midst of it,” the reference points to that moment of miraculous deliverance. It underscores that God’s love, or “lovingkindness,” endures forever. The Hebrew notion here is “hesed,” which can denote loyal love, covenant faithfulness, or unfailing mercy. Over and again, the Old Testament shows us that even though threats arise in life—be it exile, oppressive regimes, or false gods—God’s steadfast love remains constant (Psalm 136:12, ). As Psalm 136 recites God’s wonders, the rescue at the Red Sea is an emblem of His unwavering commitment to protect His people, no matter how dire their predicament. Deeper references in the Old Testament tie this event to God’s sovereign power, reminding us that He shapes the forces of nature to bring about His salvation (Habakkuk 3:8-15, ).
The awe-inspiring deliverance at the Red Sea also foreshadows Jesus’s saving work in the New Testament, where the Son of God fulfils the same protective and redemptive theme. Just as Israel was brought from bondage and into freedom through the parted sea, so believers are brought from the slavery of sin into the freedom found in Christ (1 Corinthians 10:1-2).
He delivered them from slavery into freedom because “His lovingkindness is everlasting,” a refrain that is repeated in Psalm 136 to emphasize God’s eternally unchanging mercy toward His covenant people.