In these verses the psalmist praises Yahweh for having safely brought the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. He begins with the killing of the first-born of Egypt (verse 10), the last of the plagues (see 78.51; 135.8). It is possible that here the first-born includes both human beings and animals, as in Exodus 12.29; Psalm 135.8.

In verse 11 Revised Standard Version‘s literal translation from among them (also New International Version) can only refer back to the first-born of Egypt; it means, of course, “from among the Egyptians.” Translators in some languages may experience difficulty in showing the relationship between verses 10-12. This is because the two episodes in verses 10 and 11 are separated by the refrain, and verse 12 particularly, because it provides the manner in which the two episodes are carried out. Therefore, in order to give coherence to these three verses, it may be necessary to omit the refrain after verses 10 and 11; for example, “He killed the first-born sons of the Egyptians; he led the people of Israel out of Egypt. He did this with his strong hand, his powerful arm. His love is eternal.” In some languages it may be necessary to recast strong hand and outstretched arm as instrumental, “with great power” or “showing his great power.”

In verse 13 the Hebrew verb means “to cut in two” or “to cut in pieces.” New Jerusalem Bible has “split apart,” and New Jerusalem Bible “split … in two.” It is possible to translate “He made a path through the Red Sea.” For the Red Sea (that is, the Sea of Reeds) see 106.7.

Yahweh led his people safely through the sea (verse 14), but he drowned the Egyptian king and his army, who were pursuing the Hebrews (verse 15). The verb translated overthrew (New Jerusalem Bible “hurled”) is literally “shake off” (see its use in 109.23b); the same verb is used in Exodus 14.27 (where Good News Translation has “threw them into the sea”). For Pharaoh see comment at 135.9. In languages in which the sequence of related events must remain without the interruption of the refrain, verses 13-15 can, if necessary, be handled the same as suggested for verses 10-12.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .