Another matter, “the waters will return” – Rabbi Yoḥanan said: When the last of the Israelites ascended from the sea, the last of the Egyptians descended into it. Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish says: For these and for those, the sea was closing in on them from [all] four directions. Moses said to the Holy One blessed be He: ‘What should Israel do?’ He said to him: ‘You need not ask.
Why? It is because I will perform a miracle on their behalf.’ At that moment, the Holy One blessed be He extended His hand and took them up from the sea, as it is stated: “He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters” (Psalms 18:17). Rabbi Abbahu said: This is analogous to one who saw marauders coming against him and his son was with him.
What did he do? He took his child in one hand and battled the marauders with the other. His son said to him: ‘Father, may I never be without these two hands, one that holds me and one that kills the marauders.’ So too, Israel said to the Holy One blessed be He: ‘Let there be peace upon your two hands; one that rescues us from the sea, and one that would toss the Egyptians,’ as it is stated: “Your right hand, Lord, glorious in power, Your right hand, Lord, [shatters the enemy]” (Exodus 15:6).
“The sea will return” is not stated, but rather, “the waters will return” – from here [it is derived that] all the waters returned. “Upon the Egyptians” is not stated, but rather, “upon Egypt,” as the Holy One blessed be He took their angel first and drowned him in the sea, and then all of them descended after him. That is why it is stated: “The waters will return upon Egypt,” and then “upon their chariots and upon their horsemen.”