Exodus 15:1-21

1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spoke, 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 has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will prepare Him a 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, has 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 a 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 whom 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 chiefs 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, whom 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!"

Exodus 15:1-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 15

This chapter contains the song of Moses, and of the children of Israel, on the banks of the Red sea; in which they celebrate their passage through it, the destruction of Pharaoh and his host in it, and the glory of the divine perfections displayed therein, interspersed with prophetic hints of things future, Ex 15:1-19 which same song was sung by the women, with Miriam at the head of them, attended with timbrels and dances, Ex 15:20,21, an account is given of the march of the children of Israel from the Red sea to the wilderness of Shur, and of the bitter waters found at Marah, which occasioned a murmuring, and of their being made sweet by casting a tree into them, Ex 15:22-25 when they were told by the Lord, that if they would yield obedience to his commandments, they should be free from the diseases the Egyptians had been afflicted with, Ex 15:26, and the chapter is concluded with their coming to Elim, where they found twelve wells of water, and seventy palm trees, and there encamped, Ex 15:27.