Malbim: [The theme of] this verse is repeated throughout this Shirah. Here he discusses calling to Hashem amidst his affliction, and He prepares a natural salvation. However, this Sibah (way of salvation) itself causes (via nature) another affliction. He prays, and Hashem saves him via another Sibah, which leads to another affliction... He gives a parable for this. His enemies surrounded him, he cried to Hashem. Hashem made a noise; the earth swallowed his enemies, but the noise caused a fire, like a volcano (Chabakuk 3:6). He cries to Hashem, who sends flood rains to extinguish the fire. The sudden gathering of clouds makes great thunder and lightning. He cries to Hashem; He shatter the clouds and their water falls. Now there is a great flood. He cried again to Hashem; He stretched His hand and drew him from the water, in His Chesed.