Moses and Miriam praise the LORD after the sea

15:1 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord. They said, “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously, the horse and its rider he has thrown into the sea. 15:2 The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. 15:3 The Lord is a warrior, the Lord is his name. 15:4 The chariots of Pharaoh and his army he has thrown into the sea, and his chosen officers were drowned in the Red Sea. 15:5 The depths have covered them, they went down to the bottom like a stone. 15:6 Your right hand, O Lord, was majestic in power, your right hand, O Lord, shattered the enemy. 15:7 in the abundance of your majesty you have overthrown those who rise up against you. You sent forth your wrath; it consumed them like stubble. 15:8 by the blast of your nostrils the waters were piled up, the flowing water stood upright like a heap, and the deep waters were solidified in the heart of the sea. 15:9 The enemy said, ‘I will chase, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my desire will be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword, my hand will destroy them.’ 15:10 But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. 15:11 Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you? – majestic in holiness, fearful in praises, working wonders? 15:12 You stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them. 15:13 By your loyal love you will lead the people whom you have redeemed; you will guide them by your strength to your holy dwelling place. 15:14 The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will seize the inhabitants of Philistia. 15:15 Then the chiefs of Edom will be terrified, trembling will seize the leaders of Moab, and the inhabitants of Canaan will shake. 15:16 Fear and dread will fall on them; by the greatness of your arm they will be as still as stone until your people pass by, O Lord, until the people whom you have bought pass by. 15:17 You will bring them in and plant them in the mountain of your inheritance, in the place you made for your residence, O Lord, the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established. 15:18 The Lord will reign forever and ever! 15:19 For the horses of Pharaoh came with his chariots and his footmen into the sea, and the Lord brought back the waters of the sea on them, but the Israelites walked on dry land in the middle of the sea.” 15:20 Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a hand-drum in her hand, and all the women went out after her with hand-drums and with dances. 15:21 Miriam sang in response to them, “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and its rider he has thrown into the sea.”

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Israel sings to the LORD after he destroys Pharaoh’s army at the sea. The song says the LORD is strong, holy, and unlike any other. He saved his people, and he will lead them to his holy dwelling. Miriam then leads the women in joyful praise.

This passage is a song of praise after the LORD rescued Israel from Egypt at the sea. The people do not praise themselves. They praise the LORD because he won the victory. The song says he is their strength, their song, and their salvation. It also says he is a warrior who defeated Pharaoh’s chariots and army.

The poem looks back at the battle and explains its meaning. The enemy boasted, but the LORD answered with his power. The sea covered the Egyptians, and they sank. The song uses strong poetic images to show total defeat. It also uses human-like language about God’s hand, breath, and nostrils as poetry, not as a literal description of his body.

At the center of the song is the truth that no one is like the LORD. He is holy, great, and able to do wonders. The song then looks ahead. The LORD will lead the people he has redeemed. He will guide them to the place of his dwelling. The nations will hear and tremble. In the end, the LORD will reign forever.

The closing verses show Miriam leading the women in response. This was a public act of worship, not a private moment. The whole scene shows a people answering salvation with praise, fear of the LORD, and confident trust in his guidance.

• The LORD triumphed over Pharaoh’s army at the sea.
• Israel’s first response to rescue is worship.
• The LORD is called strength, song, salvation, and warrior.
• The song uses poetry to describe God’s power and judgment.
• The LORD is incomparable in holiness and mighty works.
• The redeemed people will be led by the LORD toward his dwelling place.
• The LORD’s reign is forever.
• Miriam leads the women in responsive praise.

• Warning: Human pride and military power cannot stand against the LORD.
• Warning: Those who rise against the LORD face his judgment.
• Promise: The LORD will lead the people he has redeemed.
• Promise: The LORD will guide his people to his holy dwelling.
• Promise: The LORD will reign forever.
• Command/Response: Sing to the LORD and praise him for his victory.

This song stands at the turning point between rescue from Egypt and life under God’s covenant. The exodus shows the LORD keeping his promises and making Israel his redeemed people. The song also looks forward to the sanctuary, the land, and the LORD’s reign, so deliverance is not the end. God saves his people so they may belong to him and worship him.

God’s people should answer rescue with praise, not pride. This passage teaches thankful remembrance, reverent fear of God, and trust that the LORD will lead his redeemed people. It also shows that public worship belongs to the whole community, including women like Miriam who join in praise.

• Lite Commentary
• In-depth Commentary