wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to read this verse as simply recounting God's powerful acts. But notice the contrast: "wondrous works" in Egypt, followed by "terrible things" at the Red Sea. This highlights how God's mighty power can be both awe-inspiringly good and terrifyingly just, depending on humanity's response to His deliverance.
wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist is recounting Israel's history, emphasizing their repeated unfaithfulness despite God's mighty acts. This verse specifically highlights God's powerful deliverance of Israel, first with the plagues in Egypt (the land of Ham) and then with the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, yet these incredible interventions were quickly forgotten by the people.
Ever wonder why the Bible calls Egypt the 'land of Ham'? It's more than just a name; it connects to ancient history and family lines.
The phrase 'land of Ham' directly references Ham, one of Noah's sons, and his descendants who settled in Egypt.
A Familial Link
This naming convention in Scripture highlights a lineage, tracing the population of Egypt back to a specific ancestral figure.
Historical Context
This isn't just biblical; ancient peoples often identified regions by their founders or prominent ancestors. For the Israelites, remembering this connection to Ham would have been a way to acknowledge Egypt's distinct, non-Israelite heritage while recounting God's actions there.
God's power can appear in vastly different ways. This verse points to two sides of His intervention that demonstrate His might.
Psalm 106:22 speaks of 'wondrous works' in Egypt and 'awesome deeds' at the Red Sea. These aren't just synonyms; they capture the dual nature of God's powerful actions.
Wonders for Deliverance
The 'wondrous works' in Egypt refer to the ten plagues (Exodus 7-12). These were signs of God's escalating power, designed to persuade Pharaoh and demonstrate His authority over Egyptian gods. They were 'wondrous' in their strangeness and impact, revealing God's sovereign hand.
Terrors for Judgment
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The 'awesome deeds' at the Red Sea (Exodus 14) describe the dramatic destruction of Pharaoh's pursuing army. This event was 'awesome' in its terrifying finality and the overwhelming display of God's judgment against those who defied Him. It was a fearful demonstration of His power to protect His people by annihilating their enemies.
Understand the original words
niphla'oth · Hebrew Noun
Acts of divine power that evoke wonder, amazement, or fear; specifically refers to miraculous displays of God’s sovereignty in history.
Cham · Hebrew Proper Noun
A poetic name for Egypt, linked to Ham, the son of Noah, reflecting the geographical and ancestral origins of the Egyptian people.
This verse powerfully recalls the foundational events of Israel's deliverance: the miraculous plagues in Egypt ('Land of Ham') and the dramatic parting and reclaiming of the Red Sea. It highlights how quickly Israel forgot these 'wondrous' and 'awesome' acts, setting the stage for the psalm's broader theme of national sin and God's persistent mercy.
c. 1440 BC
Israel's Exodus from Egypt
God miraculously delivers the Israelites from over 400 years of slavery in Egypt, known as the 'Land of Ham.' This event marks the beginning of their journey towards the Promised Land.
c. 1440 BC— this verse
Crossing the Red Sea
As the Egyptian army pursues them, God parts the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. He then collapses the waters, drowning Pharaoh's army, a 'terrible deed' of judgment.
c. 1440-1400 BC
Wilderness Wanderings
Following the Exodus, the Israelites spend 40 years in the wilderness, during which they repeatedly forget God's works, grumble, and rebel against Him and His leaders.
c. 1400 BC
Entry into the Promised Land
After Moses' death, Joshua leads the Israelites into Canaan, beginning the conquest and settlement of the land.
Post-Exilic Period (likely after 538 BC)
Compilation of the Psalter
This psalm, a song of national confession, was likely compiled and used by the Jewish people after their return from Babylonian exile, reflecting on their history of faithlessness and God's enduring faithfulness.
This passage details God hardening Pharaoh's heart, which is the direct context for the 'wondrous works' (plagues) God performed in Egypt, the land of Ham.
Exodus 14:21-31This is the account of the Red Sea crossing, which directly corresponds to the 'awesome deeds' mentioned in the verse, illustrating God's power to deliver His people and destroy their enemies.
Psalm 78:43-51This psalm recounts many of the same events, emphasizing God's power and faithfulness in Egypt and at the Red Sea, serving as a parallel narrative to the one in Psalm 106.
Nehemiah 9:11This prayer explicitly references God's acts in Egypt and at the Red Sea, highlighting them as foundational demonstrations of His power and deliverance for Israel.
Isaiah 63:11-14This passage reflects on God's mighty acts, including leading Israel through the Red Sea like a flock, emphasizing His divine power and guidance.
clarkePsalms 106:22: "Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea."
Wondrous works in the land of Ham - The plagues inflicted on the Egyptians. Egypt is called the Land of Ham or Cham, because it was peopled by Misraim the son of Cham.
pulpitPsalms 106:22: "Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea."
Verse 22. - Wondrous works in the land of Ham (comp. Psalm 78:51; Psalm 105:23, 27, for the expression "land of Ham;" and for the "works" themselves, see Exodus 7-12). And terrible things by the Red Sea (see Exodus 14:24, 27-30).
It's easy to read this verse as simply recounting God's powerful acts. But notice the contrast: "wondrous works" in Egypt, followed by "terrible things" at the Red Sea. This highlights how God's mighty power can be both awe-inspiringly good and terrifyingly just, depending on humanity's response to His deliverance.
The psalmist is recounting Israel's history, emphasizing their repeated unfaithfulness despite God's mighty acts. This verse specifically highlights God's powerful deliverance of Israel, first with the plagues in Egypt (the land of Ham) and then with the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, yet these incredible interventions were quickly forgotten by the people.
The psalmist is recounting Israel's history, emphasizing their repeated unfaithfulness despite God's mighty acts. This verse specifically highlights God's powerful deliverance of Israel, first with the plagues in Egypt (the land of Ham) and then with the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, yet these incredible interventions were quickly forgotten by the people.
"wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome deeds by the Red Sea." — It's easy to read this verse as simply recounting God's powerful acts. But notice the contrast: "wondrous works" in Egypt, followed by "terrible things" at the Red Sea. This highlights how God's migh…
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Last reviewed October 2026