After God delivered the Israelites from the pursuing Egyptians, Moses and the Israelites sang a song of praise to God.
I will sing to God for he is highly exalted. Both the horse and driver he has hurled into the sea. God is my strength and my defense. He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him. He is my father’s god, and I will exalt him.
The Lord is a warrior, the Lord is his name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he has hurled into the seas. The best of Pharaoh’s officers were drowned in the Red Sea. The deep waters have covered them, they sank into the depths like stone.
Your right hand, God, was majestic in power. Your right hand, God, shattered the enemy. In your greatness, you threw down those who opposed you. You unleashed your burning anger and it consumed them like stubble. By the blast of your nostrils, the water piled up. The surging waters stood up like a wall. The deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.
The enemy boasted, “I will pursue. I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils. I will gorge myself on their blood. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.” But you blew your breath and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working in wonders?
You stretch out your right hand and the earth swallows your enemies. In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
The nations will hear and tremble, anguish will grip the people of Philistia. The chiefs of Edom will be terrified, the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, the people of Canaan will melt away, terror and dread will fall on them.
By the power of your hand, they will be as still as a stone – until your people pass by. You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance – the place you made for our dwelling, the sanctuary your hands established.
The Lord reigns, for ever and ever. God brought the waters of the Red Sea atop Pharoah and his men, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground.
Then Miriam, the prophet, took a timbrel in her hand and all the women followed her with timbrels, dancing. Miriam sang to them: “Sing to God he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.”
What the story means to us today
The attributes of God
This song is one of three songs written by Moses. It is variously named The Song of Moses and Miriam, The Song of Miriam, and The Song of Moses. It is both a recollection of the events that have just passed and a tribute to God (his name is mentioned nearly a dozen times in the lyrics).
The song assigns attributes to God in four places – my strength, my song, my salvation, and my god. Look carefully at the list of attributes and consider that they should be equally applicable to every Christian follower today.
Additional thoughts and considerations
The defeat of the Egyptian gods
This song proclaims God’s immense power, his “awesome wonders” and majesty. Note that the question is asked, “Who among the gods is like you?” Clearly the sound defeat of the Egyptian army was also a defeat of the Egyptians “gods” (of which there were many).
Egyptian influence on Moses
If anyone doubts the story of the Israelite’s captivity in Egypt, they must look no further than this song. Several phrases in the song are distinctly Egyptian in nature. For instance, the phrase “consumed them like stubble” is a simile found in Egyptian war lore.
A wall of water or a dried-up lakebed?
Some propose God dried up the Red Sea waters, but common imagery portrays the Israelites fleeing between a massive wall of water. Which is more accurate?
The song here is evidence that the wall of water imagery is accurate. “The surging waters stood up like a wall; the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea”. The above verse describes the waters as “congealed” or solidified like ice and standing upward like a wall.
Egyptian fear of the Israelites
God’s defeat of the Egyptian army by drowning them in the sea possesses legendary status. The song here is evidence of that, specifically the verses that mention other nations trembling, the chiefs of Edom terrified, and enemies of the Israelites being ‘as still as stone”. Later we will see instances that indicate this event did indeed remain at the forefront of people’s minds – in the minds of the Israelites and others in the area who feared the Israelites because of this event. For instance, in Joshua 2:10, the prostitute Rahab specifically mentions the parting of the Red Sea when explaining the fear her people have of the Israelites.
Miriam the prophetess
The verses conclude with the prophetess Miriam leading the women in dancing and singing of the song. Miriam was the daughter of Amram and Jochebed, and sister of Aaron and Moses. It was likely Mariam who watched the ark of bulrushes in which the child Moses was laid. Throughout the Old Testament, we see Miriam and Aaron acting as leaders with Moses.
Warrior god of God of love?
The song says, “The Lord is a warrior, the Lord is his name”. Is God a god of war or a god of love? In fact, he is both.
Just like a parent punishes a child to teach them the difference between right and wrong, God punishes Man for his sin. Given death is seen in a different context by God, and God must do what is necessary to protect his creations, his punishment can be severe at times.
Bible Text
NIV
15 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD:
“I will sing to the LORD,
for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
he has hurled into the sea.
2 “The LORD is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
3 The LORD is a warrior;
the LORD is his name.
4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his army
he has hurled into the sea.
The best of Pharaoh’s officers
are drowned in the Red Sea.
5 The deep waters have covered them;
they sank to the depths like a stone.
6 Your right hand, LORD,
was majestic in power.
Your right hand, LORD,
shattered the enemy.
7 “In the greatness of your majesty
you threw down those who opposed you.
You unleashed your burning anger;
it consumed them like stubble.
8 By the blast of your nostrils
the waters piled up.
The surging waters stood up like a wall;
the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.
9 The enemy boasted,
‘I will pursue, I will overtake them.
I will divide the spoils;
I will gorge myself on them.
I will draw my sword
and my hand will destroy them.’
10 But you blew with your breath,
and the sea covered them.
They sank like lead
in the mighty waters.
11 Who among the gods
is like you, LORD?
Who is like you—
majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
working wonders?
12 “You stretch out your right hand,
and the earth swallows your enemies.
13 In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.
14 The nations will hear and tremble;
anguish will grip the people of Philistia.
15 The chiefs of Edom will be terrified,
the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling,
the people of Canaan will melt away;
16 terror and dread will fall on them.
By the power of your arm
they will be as still as a stone—
until your people pass by, LORD,
until the people you bought i pass by.
17 You will bring them in and plant them
on the mountain of your inheritance—
the place, LORD, you made for your dwelling,
the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established.
18 “The LORD reigns
for ever and ever.”
19 When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea, the LORD brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. 20 Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. 21 Miriam sang to them:
“Sing to the LORD,
for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
he has hurled into the sea.”
The New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011. Print.
The NET Bible
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.”
Biblical Studies Press. The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press, 2006. Print.
New King James Version
15 Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying:
“I will sing to the LORD,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!
2 The LORD is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
3 The LORD is a man of war;
The LORD is His name.
4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea;
His chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea.
5 The depths have covered them;
They sank to the bottom like a stone.
6 “Your right hand, O LORD, has become glorious in power;
Your right hand, O LORD, has dashed the enemy in pieces.
7 And in the greatness of Your excellence
You have overthrown those who rose against You;
You sent forth Your wrath;
It consumed them like stubble.
8 And with the blast of Your nostrils
The waters were gathered together;
The floods stood upright like a heap;
The depths congealed in the heart of the sea.
9 The enemy said, ‘I will pursue,
I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil;
My desire shall be satisfied on them.
I will draw my sword,
My hand shall destroy them.’
10 You blew with Your wind,
The sea covered them;
They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
11 “Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods?
Who is like You, glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
12 You stretched out Your right hand;
The earth swallowed them.
13 You in Your mercy have led forth
The people whom You have redeemed;
You have guided them in Your strength
To Your holy habitation.
14 “The people will hear and be afraid;
Sorrow will take hold of the inhabitants of Philistia.
15 Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed;
The mighty men of Moab,
Trembling will take hold of them;
All the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away.
16 Fear and dread will fall on them;
By the greatness of Your arm
They will be as still as a stone,
Till Your people pass over, O LORD,
Till the people pass over
Whom You have purchased.
17 You will bring them in and plant them
In the mountain of Your inheritance,
In the place, O LORD, which You have made
For Your own dwelling,
The sanctuary, O LORD, which Your hands have established.
18 “The LORD shall reign forever and ever.”
19 For the horses of Pharaoh went with his chariots and his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought back the waters of the sea upon them. But the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.
20 Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 21 And Miriam answered them:
“Sing to the LORD,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!”
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982. Print.
The Message
1–8 15 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to GOD, giving voice together,
I’m singing my heart out to GOD—what a victory!
He pitched horse and rider into the sea.
GOD is my strength, GOD is my song,
and, yes! GOD is my salvation.
This is the kind of God I have
and I’m telling the world!
This is the God of my father—
I’m spreading the news far and wide!
GOD is a fighter,
pure GOD, through and through.
Pharaoh’s chariots and army
he dumped in the sea,
The elite of his officers
he drowned in the Red Sea.
Wild ocean waters poured over them;
they sank like a rock in the deep blue sea.
Your strong right hand, GOD, shimmers with power;
your strong right hand shatters the enemy.
In your mighty majesty
you smash your upstart enemies,
You let loose your hot anger
and burn them to a crisp.
At a blast from your nostrils
the waters piled up;
Tumbling streams dammed up,
wild oceans curdled into a swamp.
9 The enemy spoke,
“I’ll pursue, I’ll hunt them down,
I’ll divide up the plunder,
I’ll glut myself on them;
I’ll pull out my sword,
my fist will send them reeling.”
10–11 You blew with all your might
and the sea covered them.
They sank like a lead weight
in the majestic waters.
Who compares with you
among gods, O GOD?
Who compares with you in power,
in holy majesty,
In awesome praises,
wonder-working God?
12–13 You stretched out your right hand
and the Earth swallowed them up.
But the people you redeemed,
you led in merciful love;
You guided them under your protection
to your holy pasture.
14–18 When people heard, they were scared;
Philistines writhed and trembled;
Yes, even the head men in Edom were shaken,
and the big bosses in Moab.
Everybody in Canaan
panicked and fell faint.
Dread and terror
sent them reeling.
Before your brandished right arm
they were struck dumb like a stone,
Until your people crossed over and entered, O GOD,
until the people you made crossed over and entered.
You brought them and planted them
on the mountain of your heritage,
The place where you live,
the place you made,
Your sanctuary, Master,
that you established with your own hands.
Let GOD rule
forever, for eternity!
19 Yes, Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and riders went into the sea and GOD turned the waters back on them; but the Israelites walked on dry land right through the middle of the sea.
20–21 Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine, and all the women followed her with tambourines, dancing. Miriam led them in singing,
Sing to GOD—
what a victory!
He pitched horse and rider
into the sea!
Peterson, Eugene H. The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005. Print.
King James Version
15 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying,
I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously:
The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
2 The LORD is my strength and song,
And he is become my salvation:
He is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation;
My father’s God, and I will exalt him.
3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea:
His chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.
5 The depths have covered them:
They sank into the bottom as a stone.
6 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power:
Thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.
7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee:
Thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
8 And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together,
The floods stood upright as an heap,
And the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.
9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them;
I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them:
They sank as lead in the mighty waters.
11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods?
Who is like thee, glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
12 Thou stretchedst out thy right hand,
The earth swallowed them.
13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed:
Thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
14 The people shall hear, and be afraid:
Sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.
15 Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed;
The mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them;
All the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.
16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them;
By the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone;
Till thy people pass over, O LORD,
Till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.
17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance,
In the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in,
In the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
18 The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.
19 For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. 20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 21 And Miriam answered them,
Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously;
The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
The Holy Bible: King James Version. Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009. Print.
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