Psalm 136:14
and led Israel through the midst, His loving devotion endures forever.
and led Israel through the midst
This phrase refers to the miraculous event of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, as recorded in Exodus 14. This event is a pivotal moment in Israel's history, symbolizing God's deliverance and faithfulness. The "midst" indicates the path through the sea, which God parted to allow the Israelites to escape from the pursuing Egyptian army. This act of divine intervention is a testament to God's power and His commitment to His covenant people. Geographically, the Red Sea is located between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and its crossing is a significant event that underscores God's ability to control nature for the sake of His people. This event is often seen as a type of baptism, symbolizing the believer's passage from death to life, from bondage to freedom, as further elaborated in 1 Corinthians 10:1-2.

His loving devotion endures forever
This phrase is a recurring refrain throughout Psalm 136, emphasizing the steadfast and eternal nature of God's love. The Hebrew word for "loving devotion" is "chesed," which encompasses mercy, kindness, and covenantal faithfulness. This enduring love is a central theme in the Old Testament, highlighting God's unwavering commitment to His people despite their frequent disobedience. The phrase reassures believers of God's unchanging nature and His perpetual care for His creation. It connects to the New Testament revelation of God's love through Jesus Christ, as seen in John 3:16, where God's love is demonstrated through the giving of His Son for the salvation of the world. This enduring love is a foundation for the believer's faith and hope, assuring them of God's presence and support in all circumstances.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Israel
The nation chosen by God, representing His people whom He delivered from slavery in Egypt.

2. The Red Sea
The body of water that God miraculously parted to allow the Israelites to escape from the pursuing Egyptian army.

3. Moses
The leader chosen by God to guide the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness.

4. Egyptians
The oppressors of the Israelites, representing the forces of bondage and sin from which God delivers His people.

5. The Exodus
The event of Israel's departure from Egypt, symbolizing God's power and faithfulness in delivering His people.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness in Deliverance
Just as God led Israel through the Red Sea, He is faithful to lead us through our own trials and challenges. His loving devotion endures forever, assuring us of His constant presence and guidance.

The Power of God's Love
The phrase "His loving devotion endures forever" emphasizes the eternal nature of God's love. This love is not just a feeling but an active force that works for our good.

Trusting God in Impossible Situations
The parting of the Red Sea was a seemingly impossible situation, yet God made a way. We are called to trust Him even when circumstances seem insurmountable, knowing that He can make a path where there seems to be none.

Remembering God's Past Faithfulness
Reflecting on God's past acts of deliverance, like the Exodus, strengthens our faith and encourages us to trust Him with our present and future challenges.

Living in the Freedom God Provides
Just as Israel was led out of physical bondage, we are called to live in the spiritual freedom provided through Christ. This freedom should be evident in our daily lives as we walk in obedience and faith.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the account of the Red Sea crossing in Exodus 14 enhance your understanding of Psalm 136:14?

2. In what ways can you see God's enduring love in your own life, similar to His love for Israel?

3. How can the account of the Exodus inspire you to trust God in your current challenges?

4. What are some "Red Sea" moments in your life where God has made a way for you?

5. How can you apply the concept of God's loving devotion enduring forever in your relationships with others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 14
This chapter provides the detailed account of the parting of the Red Sea, highlighting God's miraculous intervention and deliverance.

Psalm 136:13-15
These verses provide the immediate context, emphasizing God's enduring love and power in delivering Israel.

Hebrews 11:29
This verse in the New Testament references the faith of the Israelites as they passed through the Red Sea, connecting the Old Testament event to the theme of faith.

Isaiah 43:16-17
This passage recalls God's deliverance at the Red Sea, reinforcing His role as a Redeemer and Protector.

1 Corinthians 10:1-2
Paul uses the crossing of the Red Sea as a metaphor for baptism, illustrating the transition from bondage to freedom in Christ.
A Song, a Solace, a Sermon, and a SummonsPsalm 136:1-26
Does His Mercy Endure Forever?S. Conway Psalm 136:1-26
God's Goodness and MercyR. Harris, D. D.Psalm 136:1-26
Repetitions Many, But not VainS. Conway Psalm 136:1-26
The Church's AntiphonS. Conway Psalm 136:1-26
The Duty of Praise and ThanksgivingH. Bonar, D. D.Psalm 136:1-26
The Eternity or God's GoodnessHomilistPsalm 136:1-26
From Egypt to CanaanS. Conway Psalm 136:10-25
People
Amorites, Egyptians, Og, Pharaoh, Psalmist, Sihon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Age, Caused, Endures, Endureth, Everlasting, Forever, Kindness, Love, Loving, Lovingkindness, Loving-kindness, Mercy, Midst, Pass, Steadfast, Unchanging
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 136:1-20

     1035   God, faithfulness

Psalm 136:1-26

     1085   God, love of
     8352   thankfulness

Psalm 136:13-16

     7223   exodus, significance

Library
Pilgrim Song
Gerhard Ter Steegen Ps. cxxxvi. 16 Come, children, on and forward! With us the Father goes; He leads us, and He guards us Through thousands of our foes: The sweetness and the glory, The sunlight of His eyes, Make all the desert places To glow as paradise. Lo! through the pathless midnight The fiery pillar leads, And onward goes the Shepherd Before the flock He feeds; Unquestioning, unfearing, The lambs may follow on, In quietness and confidence, Their eyes on Him alone. Come, children, on and
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

The Last Discourses of Christ - the Prayer of Consecration.
THE new Institution of the Lord's Supper did not finally close what passed at that Paschal Table. According to the Jewish Ritual, the Cup is filled a fourth time, and the remaining part of the Hallel [5717] repeated. Then follow, besides Ps. cxxxvi., a number of prayers and hymns, of which the comparatively late origin is not doubtful. The same remark applies even more strongly to what follows after the fourth Cup. But, so far as we can judge, the Institution of the Holy Supper was followed by the
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Minstrel
ELISHA needed that the Holy Spirit should come upon him to inspire him with prophetic utterances. "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." We need that the hand of the Lord should be laid upon us, for we can never open our mouths in wisdom except we are under the divine touch. Now, the Spirit of God works according to his own will. "The wind bloweth where it listeth," and the Spirit of God operates as he chooseth. Elisha could not prophesy just when he liked; he must wait until
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 27: 1881

Gethsemane
We turn once more to follow the steps of Christ, now among the last He trod upon earth. The hymn,' with which the Paschal Supper ended, had been sung. Probably we are to understand this of the second portion of the Hallel, [5818] sung some time after the third Cup, or else of Psalm cxxxvi., which, in the present Ritual, stands near the end of the service. The last Discourses had been spoken, the last Prayer, that of Consecration, had been offered, and Jesus prepared to go forth out of the City, to
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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