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Psalms 78:53

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 78:53 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he led them safely, so that they feared not; But the sea overwhelmed their enemies.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he led them safely, so that they feared not; But the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
Psalms 78:53 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 78

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
50He made a path for his anger; He spared not their soul from death, But gave their life over to the pestilence,
51And smote all the first-born in Egypt, The chief of their strength in the tents of Ham.
52But he led forth his own people like sheep, And guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
53And he led them safely, so that they feared not; But the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
54And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, To this mountain, which his right hand had gotten.
55He drove out the nations also before them, And allotted them for an inheritance by line, And made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
56Yet they tempted and rebelled against the Most High God, And kept not his testimonies;
← Psalms 78:52Psalms 78:54 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he led them on safely, etc.] Through the sea, where the waters were on each side; and through the wilderness, in which were serpents and scorpions, and where they were attacked by many powerful enemies: so that they feared not; for though they feared for a while at the Red sea, yet their fears were soon silenced, and they by faith passed through the Red sea as on dry land; and especially their fears were gone, when they saw the Egyptians dead on the sea shore; wherefore it follows: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies; or “covered” them f1141; the waters returned, and overflowed and drowned the Egyptians, who were their implacable enemies, and vowed their destruction, and were sure of…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And he led them on safely, so that they feared not - In hope; in confidence; so that they had no occasion for alarm. He showed himself able and willing to defend them. But the sea overwhelmed their enemies - Margin, as in Hebrew, covered. See Exodus 14:27-28; Exodus 15:10. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“so that: Exo 14:15, Exo 14:19, Exo 14:20; Heb 11:29 but: Psa 136:15; Exo 14:27, Exo 14:28, Exo 15:10 overwhelmed: Heb. covered Psalms 78:54”
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Related study paths

Read Psalms 78 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification