And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
PSALMS 136:14KJVWhat does Psalms 136:14 mean?
Psalms 136:14 says that God brought Israel safely through the middle of the sea, and this act is a sign that his faithful love lasts forever. The verse highlights God’s power in delivering his people and connects this rescue to his enduring mercy.
The psalm is a song of praise, likely led by a worship leader with the people responding. The setting recalls the story of the Exodus, when God parted the Red Sea so the Israelites could escape slavery in Egypt. The verse emphasizes that God’s help was not just a one-time event but an example of his ongoing kindness and loyalty to his people.
The Hebrew behind Psalms 136:14
- חֶסֶד (chesed, H2617): This word is often translated as "mercy" or "steadfast love." In this verse, it points to God’s loyal, covenant-keeping kindness, which is a central theme throughout the psalm.
- עוֹלָם (olam, H5769): Translated as "ever," this word means something lasting or perpetual. It stresses that God’s mercy is not temporary but endures without end.
- בְּתוֹךְ (betokh, H8432): Meaning "midst" or "middle," this word underlines that Israel passed right through the heart of the sea, not just around it, highlighting the completeness of God’s deliverance.
- עָבַר (avar, H5674): Translated as "to pass through," this verb describes the action of moving safely across a dangerous place, showing God’s active role in guiding Israel.
Why Psalms 136:14 matters
- The verse clarifies that God’s mercy is shown through real, historical acts—here, the dramatic rescue at the Red Sea—rather than just abstract ideas.
- By repeating “for his mercy endureth for ever,” the psalm ties each event in Israel’s history to God’s unchanging character, helping readers see a pattern of faithfulness.
- This verse connects the story of Israel’s deliverance to the larger theme of the psalm: every act of God, big or small, is an expression of his lasting, dependable love.