Psalm 78:53
New International Version
He guided them safely, so they were unafraid; but the sea engulfed their enemies.

New Living Translation
He kept them safe so they were not afraid; but the sea covered their enemies.

English Standard Version
He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

Berean Standard Bible
He led them safely, so they did not fear, but the sea engulfed their enemies.

King James Bible
And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

New King James Version
And He led them on safely, so that they did not fear; But the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

New American Standard Bible
He led them safely, so that they did not fear; But the sea engulfed their enemies.

NASB 1995
He led them safely, so that they did not fear; But the sea engulfed their enemies.

NASB 1977
And He led them safely, so that they did not fear; But the sea engulfed their enemies.

Legacy Standard Bible
He led them safely, so that they did not fear; But the sea covered their enemies.

Amplified Bible
He led them safely, so that they did not fear; But the sea engulfed their enemies.

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

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He led them safely, and they were not afraid; but the sea covered their enemies.

American Standard Version
And he led them safely, so that they feared not; But the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

Contemporary English Version
He led them safely along, and they were not afraid, but their enemies drowned in the sea.

English Revised Version
And he led them safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He led them safely. They had no fear while the sea covered their enemies.

Good News Translation
He led them safely, and they were not afraid; but the sea came rolling over their enemies.

International Standard Version
He led them to safety so they would not fear. As for their enemies, the sea covered them.

Majority Standard Bible
He led them safely, so they did not fear, but the sea engulfed their enemies.

NET Bible
He guided them safely along, while the sea covered their enemies.

New Heart English Bible
He led them safely, so that they weren't afraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

World English Bible
He led them safely, so that they weren’t afraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And He leads them confidently, "" And they have not been afraid, "" And the sea has covered their enemies.

Young's Literal Translation
And He leadeth them confidently, And they have not been afraid, And their enemies hath the sea covered.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will guide them securely and they feared not: and the sea covered their enemies.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he brought them out in hope, and they feared not: and the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he led them out in hope, and they did not fear. And the sea covered their enemies.

New American Bible
He led them on secure and unafraid, while the sea enveloped their enemies.

New Revised Standard Version
He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid; but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he led them on safely so that they feared not; but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He led them in hope and they did not fear, and the sea covered their enemies.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And He led them safely, and they feared not; But the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he guided them with hope, and they feared not: but the sea covered their enemies.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
I Will Open My Mouth in Parables
52He led out His people like sheep and guided them like a flock in the wilderness. 53He led them safely, so they did not fear, but the sea engulfed their enemies. 54He brought them to His holy land, to the mountain His right hand had acquired.…

Cross References
Exodus 14:29-30
But the Israelites had walked through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left. / That day the LORD saved Israel from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the shore.

Exodus 15:19
For when Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and horsemen went into the sea, the LORD brought the waters of the sea back over them. But the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground.

Isaiah 63:12-14
who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown, / who led them through the depths like a horse in the wilderness, so that they did not stumble? / Like cattle going down to the valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. You led Your people this way to make for Yourself a glorious name.

Nehemiah 9:11
You divided the sea before them, and they crossed through it on dry ground. You hurled their pursuers into the depths like a stone into raging waters.

Joshua 24:7
So your fathers cried out to the LORD, and He put darkness between you and the Egyptians, over whom He brought the sea and engulfed them. Your very eyes saw what I did to the Egyptians. Then you lived in the wilderness for a long time.

Psalm 106:9-10
He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; He led them through the depths as through a desert. / He saved them from the hand that hated them; He redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.

Exodus 14:21-22
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, / and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.

Exodus 14:13-14
But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. / The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Exodus 15:10
But You blew with Your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters.

Deuteronomy 1:30-31
The LORD your God, who goes before you, will fight for you, just as you saw Him do for you in Egypt / and in the wilderness, where the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way by which you traveled until you reached this place.”

Isaiah 51:10
Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea for the redeemed to cross over?

Hebrews 11:29
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned.

1 Corinthians 10:1-2
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. / They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

Acts 7:36
He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness.

Jude 1:5
Although you are fully aware of this, I want to remind you that after Jesus had delivered His people out of the land of Egypt, He destroyed those who did not believe.


Treasury of Scripture

And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

so that

Exodus 14:15,19,20
And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: …

Hebrews 11:29
By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

but

Psalm 136:15
But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Exodus 14:27,28
And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea…

Exodus 15:10
Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.

overwhelmed.

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Afraid Confidently Covered Enemies Engulfed Fear Feared Guided Haters Led Overwhelmed Safely Safety Sea Weren't
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Afraid Confidently Covered Enemies Engulfed Fear Feared Guided Haters Led Overwhelmed Safely Safety Sea Weren't
Psalm 78
1. An exhortation both to learn and to preach, the law of God
9. The story of God's wrath against the incredulous and disobedient
67. The Israelites being rejected, God chose Judah, Zion, and David.














He led them safely
This phrase refers to God's guidance of the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. It highlights God's role as a shepherd, leading His people through the wilderness. The imagery of God as a shepherd is consistent throughout Scripture, as seen in Psalm 23:1-4, where God leads His people beside still waters and through the valley of the shadow of death. The safety provided by God is not merely physical but also spiritual, as He guides them towards the Promised Land, a type of the ultimate salvation and rest found in Christ.

so they did not fear
The absence of fear among the Israelites is significant, considering their previous experiences of oppression in Egypt. This phrase underscores the trust and confidence that God's presence instills in His people. In the broader biblical narrative, fear is often contrasted with faith. For instance, in Isaiah 41:10, God reassures His people not to fear because He is with them. The Israelites' lack of fear is a testament to their reliance on God's promises and His faithfulness, which is a recurring theme throughout the Bible.

but the sea engulfed their enemies
This part of the verse recalls the miraculous event at the Red Sea, where God parted the waters for the Israelites to cross on dry ground, only to bring the waters back upon the pursuing Egyptian army. This event is a pivotal moment in Israel's history, demonstrating God's power and judgment against those who oppose His people. It serves as a type of baptism, symbolizing the death of the old life of slavery and the birth of a new life of freedom. The destruction of the Egyptians is also a foreshadowing of the ultimate victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ, as seen in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, where death is swallowed up in victory.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
The central figure in this verse, God is depicted as the protector and guide of His people, leading them safely.

2. The Israelites
The people whom God led safely, representing His chosen nation whom He delivered from Egypt.

3. The Sea
Refers to the Red Sea, which God parted to allow the Israelites to escape from the Egyptians.

4. The Egyptians
The enemies of the Israelites who pursued them and were engulfed by the sea.

5. The Exodus
The event of the Israelites' departure from Egypt, a foundational moment in Israel's history demonstrating God's deliverance.
Teaching Points
God's Faithful Guidance
Just as God led the Israelites safely, He continues to guide His people today. Trust in His direction, even when the path seems uncertain.

Overcoming Fear
The Israelites did not fear because of God's presence. In our lives, we can overcome fear by relying on God's promises and His past faithfulness.

Divine Protection
God not only leads but also protects His people from their enemies. We can find comfort in knowing that God is our shield and defender.

Remembering God's Deliverance
Reflect on past instances of God's deliverance in your life as a source of encouragement and faith for present challenges.

The Consequences for Opposing God
The fate of the Egyptians serves as a reminder of the consequences of opposing God's will. Aligning with God's purposes brings safety and blessing.Verse 53. - And he led them on safely, so that they feared not (comp. Exodus 14:13-22). At Pi-hahiroth they "were sore afraid" (Exodus 14:10), but after Moses had exhorted them (ver. 13), they showed no more signs of fear. But the sea overwhelmed their enemies (Exodus 14:26-31; Exodus 15:1, 4, 10).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He led them
וַיַּנְחֵ֣ם (way·yan·ḥêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5148: To guide, to transport

safely,
לָ֭בֶטַח (lā·ḇe·ṭaḥ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 983: A place of refuge, safety, safely

so they did not
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

fear,
פָחָ֑דוּ (p̄ā·ḥā·ḏū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6342: To dread, be in dread or in awe

but
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

the sea
הַיָּֽם׃ (hay·yām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

engulfed
כִּסָּ֥ה (kis·sāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover

their enemies.
א֝וֹיְבֵיהֶ֗ם (’ō·wy·ḇê·hem)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary


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OT Poetry: Psalm 78:53 He led them safely so that they (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 78:52
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