John Gill Commentary Psalms 78:53

"And he led them safely, so that they feared not; But the sea overwhelmed their enemies." — Psalms 78:53 (ASV)

And he led them on safely
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 ^F16 ; the waters returned, and overflowed and drowned the Egyptians, who were their implacable enemies, and vowed their destruction, and were sure of it; but now the Israelites had nothing to fear from them.

---

FOOTNOTES:

• F16: (hok) "operuit", Pagninus, Montanus, Musculus, Piscator, Gejerus.