Psalm 106:11-12
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This verse isn't just about God's power in defeating enemies; it highlights the completeness of His deliverance. The phrase "not one of them was left" emphasizes that God doesn't just win battles, He eradicates the threat, leaving no room for resurgence. This speaks to the thoroughness of God's justice and His absolute ability to secure victory for His people.
And the waters covered their adversaries; not one of them was left. Then they believed his words; they sang his praise.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a national confession, recounting Israel's repeated disobedience and God's faithfulness, starting with their deliverance from Egypt. The psalm highlights how, despite God's mighty acts like parting the Red Sea to save them from Pharaoh's pursuing army, the Israelites quickly forgot His power and rebelled. This verse specifically describes the complete destruction of their Egyptian adversaries in the waters, an event that secured their immediate freedom.
Ever wondered about the sheer force of God's judgment? This verse paints a vivid, unforgettable picture of divine wrath unleashed.
Psalms 106:11 is a stark reminder of God's absolute power and His commitment to justice. When the Israelites were fleeing Egypt, pursued by Pharaoh's army, God intervened dramatically at the Red Sea. The waters, which had parted to allow Israel passage, returned with overwhelming force to engulf their enemies.
Complete Annihilation
The text emphasizes the totality of this destruction: 'not one of them was left.' This isn't a partial defeat; it's a complete removal of the threat. It speaks to a justice that is thorough and leaves no room for the enemy to regroup or threaten God's people again.
Theological Significance
This event isn't just a historical footnote; it's a foundational moment in Israel's story, demonstrating God's power to deliver His people and to utterly defeat those who stand against Him and His purposes. It shows that God's faithfulness to His promises is matched by His fierce opposition to those who try to thwart His plans.
Why does the Psalmist bring up this ancient event? It's a powerful lesson meant to resonate through the ages.
Psalms 106 is a psalm of national confession. The writer looks back at Israel's history, not just to recount victories, but to remember their repeated failures and God's consistent, often severe, faithfulness. Verse 11, detailing the destruction of Pharaoh's army, serves as a potent example.
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A Lesson in Gratitude and Humility
By recalling this dramatic deliverance, the Psalmist reminds his people that their very existence is a testament to God's saving power. It's meant to foster deep gratitude for His past actions and humility about their own consistent tendency to forget and rebel. The complete annihilation of their enemies underscores how utterly dependent they were on God for survival.
Warning Against Forgetfulness
This verse, placed within a context of confession (Psalms 106:6-7), acts as a stark warning. The people 'understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy kindnesses; they rebelled at the sea.' Forgetting God's mighty acts leads to rebellion and invites judgment. Remembering them, as this verse compels us to do, should lead to obedience and trust.
Understand the original words
tsarar · Hebrew Noun
Refers to those who oppose God and His people, often acting as enemies of the covenant. In Scripture, these are often judged by God for their hostility toward the righteous.
aman · Hebrew Verb
To have faith in, rely upon, or trust in the truthfulness of God's promise. In the Old Testament, it signifies entering into a firm, secure relationship with God based on His character.
This verse vividly recalls the Red Sea crossing, a foundational event where God's power utterly destroyed Israel's oppressors, highlighting His deliverance and the fate of those who oppose His people.
~1446 BC
Israelites Flee Egypt
The Israelites leave Egypt after centuries of slavery, led by Moses.
~1446 BC— this verse
Parting of the Red Sea
God parts the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. This miraculous event is the direct context for Psalm 106:11.
~1446 BC
Pursuit and Destruction of Egyptians
As the Egyptian army pursues the Israelites into the sea, God closes the waters, drowning Pharaoh's army. This fulfills the event described in the verse.
~1446 BC
Song of Deliverance at the Red Sea
Moses and the Israelites sing a song of praise to God for their miraculous deliverance and the destruction of their enemies.
c. 5th century BC
Compilation of the Psalter
Psalm 106 is compiled, likely during or after the Babylonian exile, reflecting on Israel's history of sin and God's faithfulness.
This passage directly describes the event at the Red Sea where the returning waters drowned Pharaoh's army, directly fulfilling the psalmist's recollection.
Exodus 15:10This verse from the Song of Moses further celebrates God's victory at the Red Sea, echoing the psalmist's sentiment of complete destruction for Israel's enemies.
Joshua 4:23This verse recalls God's powerful deliverance of Israel at the Red Sea, emphasizing that He dried up the waters to let them pass, a stark contrast to how the waters then consumed their pursuers.
Nehemiah 9:11This passage, a prayer of confession and remembrance, also recounts God's mighty act at the Red Sea, highlighting the destruction of Israel's enemies as a demonstration of His power.
Psalm 77:16-20This psalm recalls God's powerful acts, including the parting of the sea and the destruction of enemies, showing the deep historical memory of these events that the psalmist draws upon.
pulpitPsalms 106:11: "And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left."
Verse 11. - And the waters covered their enemies (see Exodus 14:28-30; Exodus 15:10). There was not one of them left. The words of Exodus 14:28 (last clause) are almost exactly followed. (On the true meaning of the expression, see the 'Pulpit Commentary' on Exodus 14, p. 314.)
cambridgePsalms 106:11: "And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left."
11 . See Exodus 14:28 . enemies ] R.V. adversaries.
This verse isn't just about God's power in defeating enemies; it highlights the completeness of His deliverance. The phrase "not one of them was left" emphasizes that God doesn't just win battles, He eradicates the threat, leaving no room for resurgence. This speaks to the thoroughness of God's justice and His absolute ability to secure victory for His people.
This passage is part of a national confession, recounting Israel's repeated disobedience and God's faithfulness, starting with their deliverance from Egypt. The psalm highlights how, despite God's mighty acts like parting the Red Sea to save them from Pharaoh's pursuing army, the Israelites quickly forgot His power and rebelled. This verse specifically describes the complete destruction of their Egyptian adversaries in the waters, an event that secured their immediate freedom.
This passage is part of a national confession, recounting Israel's repeated disobedience and God's faithfulness, starting with their deliverance from Egypt. The psalm highlights how, despite God's mighty acts like parting the Red Sea to save them from Pharaoh's pursuing army, the Israelites quickly forgot His power and rebelled. This verse specifically describes the complete destruction of their Egyptian adversaries in the waters, an event that secured their immediate freedom.
"And the waters covered their adversaries; not one of them was left. Then they believed his words; they sang his praise." — This verse isn't just about God's power in defeating enemies; it highlights the completeness of His deliverance. The phrase "not one of them was left" emphasizes that God doesn't just win battles, He…
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Last reviewed October 2026
