to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever;
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to read "divided the Red Sea in two" as just a dramatic splitting of water. But the original Hebrew word used here actually carries the sense of "hewing" or "cutting apart," as if with a sword, emphasizing the forceful, decisive act of God. This wasn't just a gentle parting; it was a violent severing of the sea to create a pathway, a powerful testament to His active intervention for His people.
to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever;
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm is a powerful recounting of God's mighty acts for Israel, building on the narrative of the Exodus. It moves from the plagues in Egypt to the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, emphasizing God's strength and deliverance for His people. The verse about the Red Sea is part of a sequence that highlights God's intervention, paving the way for Israel's escape from Pharaoh's army and their subsequent journey into the wilderness.
Imagine standing at the edge of a vast, impassable sea, with enemies at your back. What does God's action here reveal about His love for us?
This verse highlights a pivotal moment in Israel's history: the parting of the Red Sea. It wasn't just a natural phenomenon; it was a deliberate act of divine intervention. The Hebrew word for 'divided' here, wayyibatzeach, is striking. It's a strong word, suggesting a forceful cutting or hewing. Some scholars even note its use elsewhere for cutting a sacrifice in two, hinting at the profound significance of this act.
This dramatic division wasn't an isolated event, but a demonstration of God's enduring mercy and faithfulness. The refrain, 'for his steadfast love endures forever,' isn't just a concluding remark; it's the motivation and essence of the act. God’s ‘steadfast love’ (the Hebrew is hesed, a rich word encompassing covenant faithfulness, kindness, and mercy) was on display, saving His people from certain destruction and leading them toward freedom.
Did God create just one path, or many? The wording here sparks debate, but what does it truly emphasize about God's care?
The phrasing 'divided the Red Sea in two' or 'into parts' has led to interesting discussions. While some ancient traditions imagined multiple paths for each tribe, the text's primary focus isn't on the number of passages.
Instead, the emphasis is on the sheer miraculousness of the event and the thoroughness of God's deliverance. Whether one path or many, the sea was fundamentally broken open, creating a safe passage through what was impassable. This wasn't a gentle parting; it was a powerful, decisive act.
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The focus remains on God's active intervention, His power to make a way where there is no way, and His commitment to bringing His people through danger. The marvel is God’s ability to transform a terrifying obstacle into a pathway to freedom.
Understand the original words
Yam Suph · Hebrew Proper Noun
Literally 'Sea of Reeds,' the body of water God miraculously parted to facilitate the exodus of Israel from Egyptian bondage, serving as a defining act of salvation in the Old Testament.
This verse points to the dramatic moment the Israelites escaped Egypt. The parting of the Red Sea wasn't just a physical event; it was a profound act of God's steadfast love, delivering His people from certain death and confirming His power to save.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites, enslaved in Egypt for centuries, are miraculously led out by God under Moses' leadership. This marks their liberation and the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Parting of the Red Sea
To escape the pursuing Egyptian army, God causes the Red Sea to divide, creating a dry path for the Israelites to cross. The waters then return, drowning the Egyptian forces.
c. 1446 BC - 1406 BC
Wandering in the Wilderness
After crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites journey through the Sinai desert for 40 years, during which God provides for them daily with manna and water from a rock.
c. 1406 BC
Entry into Canaan
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites finally cross the Jordan River and begin the conquest of the Promised Land, fulfilling God's long-standing promise.
This passage describes the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, directly illustrating the event mentioned in Psalm 136:13 and showing the divine power at work.
Joshua 3:14-17Similar to the Red Sea crossing, the Jordan River was divided for the Israelites to pass through, highlighting God's consistent power to make a way for His people through seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Isaiah 43:1-3This prophecy speaks of God's future work of leading His people through waters again, drawing a direct parallel to the Red Sea event as a sign of His powerful deliverance rooted in His steadfast love.
1 Corinthians 10:1-4The Apostle Paul explicitly references the Israelites' passage through the Red Sea as a foundational event in their history, connecting it to spiritual truths about baptism and Christ's leadership for believers.
clarkePsalms 136:13: "To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:"
Divided the Red Sea into parts - Some of the Jews have imagined that God made twelve paths through the Red Sea, that each tribe might have a distinct passage. Many of the fathers were of the same opinion; but is this very likely?
barnesPsalms 136:13: "To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:"
To him which divided the Red sea into parts - More literally, "Parted it into parts;" made parts of that which before was unbroken and a whole. It was actually divided into two parts, so that the Hebrews passed between them: Exodus 14:21-22 . For his mercy ... - This, too, was an exercise of mercy, or a manifestation of benevolence toward them and toward the world, to be measured by all the good which…
It's easy to read "divided the Red Sea in two" as just a dramatic splitting of water. But the original Hebrew word used here actually carries the sense of "hewing" or "cutting apart," as if with a sword, emphasizing the forceful, decisive act of God. This wasn't just a gentle parting; it was a violent severing of the sea to create a pathway, a powerful testament to His active intervention for His people.
This psalm is a powerful recounting of God's mighty acts for Israel, building on the narrative of the Exodus. It moves from the plagues in Egypt to the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, emphasizing God's strength and deliverance for His people. The verse about the Red Sea is part of a sequence that highlights God's intervention, paving the way for Israel's escape from Pharaoh's army and their subsequent journey into the wilderness.
This psalm is a powerful recounting of God's mighty acts for Israel, building on the narrative of the Exodus. It moves from the plagues in Egypt to the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, emphasizing God's strength and deliverance for His people. The verse about the Red Sea is part of a sequence that highlights God's intervention, paving the way for Israel's escape from Pharaoh's army and their subsequent journey into the wilderness.
"to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever;" — It's easy to read "divided the Red Sea in two" as just a dramatic splitting of water. But the original Hebrew word used here actually carries the sense of "hewing" or "cutting apart," as if with a sw…
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Last reviewed October 2026