Albert Barnes Commentary Isaiah 43:17

"who bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the mighty man (they lie down together, they shall not rise; they are extinct, they are quenched as a wick):" — Isaiah 43:17 (ASV)

Which brings forth the chariot and horse - The reference here is undoubtedly to the occurrences recorded in (Exodus 14:4 and following), when Pharaoh and his host are said to have followed the Israelites but were all submerged in the sea. God is said to have brought them forth in accordance with the general statement so often made, that he controls and directs princes and nations (see the note at Isaiah 10:5-6).

They shall lie down together - They shall sink together to death, as Pharaoh and his army sank together in a watery grave.

You blew with your wind, the sea covered them:
They sank as lead in the mighty waters. (Exodus 15:10)

The depths have covered them:
They sank into the bottom as a stone. (Exodus 15:5)

They are extinct - They are destroyed, as the wick of a lamp is quenched suddenly when immersed in water. This is a striking figure to denote the suddenness with which it was done and the completeness of their destruction.

As a flame is entirely put out when plunged beneath the water, so the whole host of the Egyptians were suddenly and completely destroyed in the Red Sea.

The sentiment in this verse is that God has power over the nations to control them, that it is one of his characteristics to lead on the enemies of his people to destruction, and that they are suddenly destroyed, and their hopes, joys, and triumphs put out forever. If it was so in regard to the Egyptians, it will also be so in regard to all his foes.

And if this took place in regard to a nation, it will also be so for individual sinners who oppose God.

How often is the candle of the wicked put out?
And how often comes their destruction upon them?
God distributes sorrows in his anger.
They are as stubble before the wind,
And as chaff that the storm carries away. (Job 21:17–18)