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Exodus 15:1

“The Song of Moses: Praise for Deliverance”· Exodus 15:1–12Read in context
King James Version
¶ 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.
KJV (with Strong's)
Then sang H7891 Moses H4872 and the children H1121 of Israel H3478 this song H7892 unto the LORD H3068, and spake H559, saying H559, I will sing H7891 unto the LORD H3068, for he hath triumphed H1342 gloriously H1342: the horse H5483 and his rider H7392 hath he thrown H7411 into the sea H3220.
Complete Jewish Bible
Then Moshe and the people of Isra'el sang this song to ADONAI: "I will sing to ADONAI, for he is highly exalted: the horse and its rider he threw in the sea.
Berean Standard Bible
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. The horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.
American Standard Version
Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto Jehovah, and spake, saying, I will sing unto Jehovah, for he hath triumphed gloriously: The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
World English Bible Messianic
Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and said, “I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously. The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song vnto the Lord, and sayd in this maner, I will sing vnto the Lord: for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and him that rode vpon him hath he ouerthrowen in the Sea.
Young's Literal Translation
Then singeth Moses and the sons of Israel this song to Jehovah, and they speak, saying: --`I sing to Jehovah, For triumphing He hath triumphed; The horse and its rider He hath thrown into the sea.
Translation
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The Kingdom of Egypt in the Time of Moses
The Kingdom of Egypt in the Time of Moses View full PDF
The Exodus: From Egypt to Elim
The Exodus: From Egypt to Elim View full PDF
The Exodus: From Elim to Mount Sinai
The Exodus: From Elim to Mount Sinai View full PDF

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Summary

Exodus 15:1 initiates one of the most ancient and profound hymns in biblical literature, often referred to as the "Song of the Sea" or "Song of Moses." This pivotal verse captures the immediate, spontaneous, and communal outburst of praise from Moses and the children of Israel, celebrating God's magnificent and decisive triumph over Pharaoh's army at the Red Sea. It marks a foundational moment where Israel, having witnessed an unparalleled act of divine deliverance, responds with a declarative act of worship, recognizing the LORD's supreme power and glorious victory as the sole source of their salvation and freedom.

Context

Literary Context

This verse immediately follows the climactic events of Exodus 14, where the LORD miraculously parted the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground, and then unleashed the waters to engulf the pursuing Egyptian chariots and horsemen. Exodus 14:30-31 explicitly states that Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore and witnessed the LORD's great power, leading them to fear the LORD and believe in Him and His servant Moses. Exodus 15:1 thus serves as the opening declaration of the "Song of the Sea," a lengthy poetic composition found in Exodus 15:1-18. This song functions as Israel's corporate theological response to this unprecedented act of divine intervention, transitioning from narrative prose to celebratory poetry. It encapsulates the awe, gratitude, and newfound understanding of God's character that permeated the redeemed nation, setting a precedent for worship as the appropriate response to divine salvation.

Historical & Cultural Context

The Red Sea crossing and the subsequent song occur shortly after Israel's liberation from centuries of brutal slavery in Egypt. This deliverance was not merely an escape but a profound act of national birth and covenant establishment, demonstrating Yahweh's unique power over all other gods and earthly rulers. In the ancient Near East, it was common for victorious nations or kings to compose triumphal hymns or epic poems celebrating their military conquests and the might of their deities. The "Song of the Sea" fits this cultural pattern but profoundly subverts it by attributing all victory not to human prowess or a national deity's limited power, but to the singular, overwhelming might of the LORD (Yahweh), the God of Israel, who fought on behalf of His defenseless people. This song would have served as a foundational narrative for Israel's identity, passed down through generations, reminding them of God's faithfulness and power to deliver.

Key Themes

Exodus 15:1 introduces several major theological and narrative themes central to the book of Exodus and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of Divine Deliverance and Salvation, where God actively intervenes to save His people from oppression, demonstrating His power and faithfulness. This act of salvation elicits the theme of Worship and Praise as Response, establishing that a proper human response to God's mighty deeds is unreserved adoration and communal celebration. The verse also highlights God's character as a Divine Warrior who fights for His people, utterly defeating their enemies, a theme that resonates throughout the Old Testament, particularly in books like Joshua and Judges. Furthermore, the song solidifies Israel's National Identity as a people chosen and redeemed by Yahweh, distinct from all other nations and their deities. The complete destruction of the Egyptian army underscores God's Sovereignty over all Earthly Powers, demonstrating that no human might can stand against His will.

Exposition and Analysis

Key Word Analysis

Song shîyr' H7892

This term refers to a poetic composition intended to be sung, often accompanied by musical instruments. In the biblical context, "song" is frequently a vehicle for praise, lament, instruction, or prophecy. Here, it signifies a spontaneous, heartfelt expression of worship and celebration, marking a pivotal moment of communal response to God's mighty act. It is not merely a recitation but an embodied act of adoration, signifying a deep, emotional, and spiritual engagement with the divine.

Triumphed Gloriously gâʼâh_ _gâʼâh' H1342

This is an intensive doubling of the verb gâʼâh, meaning "to mount up," "to rise," or "to be majestic." The repetition emphasizes the absolute, overwhelming, and magnificent nature of God's victory. It conveys a sense of unparalleled majesty and an utterly decisive, unchallengeable triumph. It's not just a victory, but a victory of the highest possible degree, demonstrating God's supreme power and majesty over all earthly forces, leaving no room for doubt about the source of Israel's deliverance.

Horse çûwç' H5483

And Rider (Hebrew, râkab'): (H7392) This phrase, "the horse and his rider," functions as a metonymy or synecdoche representing the entire Egyptian army, particularly its elite chariot corps, which was the most formidable military force of its time. The mention of "horse and rider" encapsulates the epitome of human military might, pride, and oppressive power. By stating that God effortlessly cast them into the sea, the text demonstrates His absolute dominion and contempt for all earthly power that opposes His will.

Verse Breakdown

"Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD"

This clause highlights the communal and Spirit-inspired nature of the response. It was not just Moses, the leader, but the entire nation, united in a spontaneous act of worship. The "song" is explicitly directed "unto the LORD," emphasizing that the praise and glory belong solely to Him for His mighty deliverance. This collective singing marks a crucial transition from passive observation of God's power to active, joyful participation in His praise, solidifying their relationship with Yahweh.

"and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD"

This phrase indicates that the song was not merely an internal thought but an audible, declared commitment. The shift from "they sang" to "I will sing" suggests a corporate declaration where each individual identifies with and personally affirms the collective praise. It is a personal vow of worship embedded within the communal act, signaling a deep, individual conviction to praise God for His works and to participate wholeheartedly in the national expression of gratitude.

"for he hath triumphed gloriously"

This is the foundational reason for their song, introducing the cause of their praise with the conjunction "for." God's magnificent and utterly decisive victory is the sole impetus for their adoration. The phrase "triumphed gloriously," as discussed in the key word analysis, underscores the absolute, unparalleled, and majestic nature of God's triumph, leaving no doubt about the source of their salvation and the immeasurable extent of His power.

"the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea"

This vivid imagery provides the concrete evidence and dramatic climax of God's glorious triumph. It specifically names the instruments of Egyptian oppression and military might—the chariots and their drivers—and describes their complete and utter destruction. "Thrown into the sea" depicts a forceful, effortless act of divine judgment, demonstrating God's complete sovereignty over the most formidable human power and His ability to nullify any threat to His people.

Literary Devices

Exodus 15:1 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is Hyperbole, particularly in "triumphed gloriously," which uses an intensive doubling of the verb to emphasize the overwhelming and absolute nature of God's victory, transcending mere human understanding of triumph. This is further reinforced by Metonymy or Synecdoche in the phrase "the horse and his rider," which stands for the entire formidable Egyptian army and its military might, symbolizing the pinnacle of human power. By stating that God "hath he thrown into the sea," the text uses Vivid Imagery to create a powerful mental picture of divine judgment and effortless destruction of the enemy, highlighting God's complete sovereignty. The structure of the verse, moving from a communal declaration ("sang Moses and the children of Israel") to an individual vow ("I will sing"), suggests an Antiphonal or responsive quality, even within a single verse, setting the tone for a song that likely involved call and response. The repetition of "sing unto the LORD" also functions as a form of Anaphora or Repetition, reinforcing the central theme of praise and emphasizing the singular object of their worship.

Theological and Thematic Connections

Exodus 15:1 establishes a foundational theological truth: God is a deliverer who triumphs gloriously over all opposition on behalf of His people. This verse profoundly connects the act of divine salvation with the appropriate human response of worship and praise. It teaches that true deliverance, whether from physical bondage or spiritual oppression, naturally overflows into grateful adoration and recognition of God's supreme power. The song is not merely a historical record but a theological statement about God's character as a warrior who fights for His people, demonstrating His sovereignty over all creation and human empires. This theme of God as the triumphant deliverer who inspires worship echoes throughout the biblical narrative, from the Psalms to the prophetic books, culminating in the New Testament's celebration of Christ's victory.

Reflection and Application

Exodus 15:1 serves as a timeless call to worship, reminding us that our response to God's mighty acts of deliverance should be one of profound gratitude and unreserved praise. Just as the Israelites, fresh from witnessing an unprecedented miracle, spontaneously burst into song, so too should our hearts overflow with adoration when we reflect on God's interventions in our lives. This verse encourages us to cultivate a posture of worship that is both communal and deeply personal, recognizing that God's triumphs are not just historical events but ongoing realities that invite our active participation in His praise. It challenges us to identify the "horses and riders"—the seemingly insurmountable obstacles, fears, or oppressive forces—in our own lives and trust that the same God who triumphed gloriously at the Red Sea is capable of delivering us today. Our worship, like theirs, should be a declaration of His sovereignty and an affirmation of His unfailing power to save, fostering a spirit of confident trust in His unfailing might.

Questions for Reflection

  1. What "horses and riders" in your life or in the world today do you need to trust God to "throw into the sea"?
  2. How does recognizing God's "glorious triumph" in your past experiences inspire your present and future worship?
  3. In what ways can you, individually and communally, express a "song unto the LORD" that reflects His mighty acts of deliverance in your life?

FAQ

Why is this song, particularly Exodus 15:1, so significant in biblical history and theology?

Exodus 15:1 and the subsequent "Song of the Sea" are profoundly significant for several reasons. Theologically, it is one of the earliest and most powerful expressions of Israel's understanding of Yahweh as a divine warrior and deliverer, establishing a foundational narrative of salvation through divine intervention. Historically, it marks the pivotal transition from slavery to freedom, solidifying Israel's identity as a people redeemed by God. It serves as a national anthem of liberation, passed down through generations. Liturgically, it functions as a prototype for future songs of praise and lament in the Bible, demonstrating that worship is the natural and necessary response to God's mighty acts. It also highlights the communal nature of faith and worship, as the entire nation participated in this declaration. Furthermore, its imagery and themes of God's triumph over oppressive forces resonate throughout the Old Testament and are explicitly referenced in the New Testament, notably in Revelation 15:3, underscoring its enduring theological importance as a testament to God's unwavering power and faithfulness to His covenant people.

Christ-Centered Fulfillment

Exodus 15:1, with its declaration of God's glorious triumph over the "horse and his rider" at the Red Sea, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage, accomplished by God's mighty arm, prefigures the infinitely greater spiritual deliverance from sin, death, and the power of Satan achieved through Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. Just as God "threw into the sea" the forces that held Israel captive, so Christ, through His victory on the cross, decisively defeated the spiritual powers that enslaved humanity, triumphing "gloriously" over sin's dominion and death's sting. Colossians 2:15 proclaims that Christ "disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." This ultimate victory liberates us from the fear of death and the power of the devil, as Hebrews 2:14-15 states, "that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery." The "Song of Moses" thus becomes a prophetic foreshadowing of the "Song of the Lamb," sung by those redeemed by Christ's blood (Revelation 15:3), for He is the one who has truly triumphed gloriously, securing eternal freedom and a new covenant for all who believe.

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Public-domain commentary

Matthew Henry

From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Exodus 15:1–21. His four-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.

1662–1714 · 21 verses
Passage under commentExodus 15:1–21
I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points(1.) (2.) Details[1.] [2.] Fine details

Having read how that complete victory of Israel over the Egyptians was obtained, here we are told how it was celebrated; those that were to hold their peace while the deliverance was in working (Exo 14:14) must not hold their peace now that it was wrought; the less they had to do then the more they had to do now. If God accomplishes deliverance by his own immediate power, it redounds so much the more to his glory. Moses, no doubt by divine inspiration, indited this song, and delivered it to the children of Israel, to be sung before they stirred from the place where they saw the Egyptians dead upon the shore. Observe, 1. They expressed their joy in God, and thankfulness to him, by singing; it is almost natural to us thus to give vent to our joy and the exultations of our spirit. By this instance it appears that the singing of psalms, as an act of religious worship, was used in the church of Christ before the giving of the ceremonial law, and therefore was no part of it, nor abolished with it. Singing is as much the language of holy joy as praying is of holy desire. 2. Moses, who had gone before them through the sea, goes before them in the song, and composes it for them. Note, Those that are active in public services should not be neuters in public praises. 3. When the mercy was fresh, and they were much affected with it, then they sang this song. Note, When we have received special mercy from God, we ought to be quick and speedy in our returns of praise to him, before time and the deceitfulness of our own hearts efface the good impressions that have been made. David sang his triumphant song in the day that the Lord delivered him, Sa2 22:1. Bis dat qui cito dat - He gives twice who gives quickly. 4. When they believed the Lord (Exo 14:31) then they sang this song: it was a song of faith; this connection is observed (Psa 106:12): Then believed they his words, they sang his praise. If with the heart man believes, thus confession must be made. Here is,

I.The song itself; and,

1.We may observe respecting this song, that it is,

(1.)An ancient song, the most ancient that we know of.

(2.)A most admirable composition, the style lofty and magnificent, the images lively and proper, and the whole very moving.

(3.)It is a holy song, consecrated to the honour of God, and intended to exalt his name and celebrate his praise, and his only, not in the least to magnify any man: holiness to the Lord is engraven in it, and to him they made melody in the singing of it.

(4.)It is a typical song. The triumphs of the gospel church, in the downfall of its enemies, are expressed in the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb put together, which are said to be sung upon a sea of glass, as this was upon the Red Sea, Rev 15:2, Rev 15:3.

2.Let us observe what Moses chiefly aims at in this song.

(1.)He gives glory to God, and triumphs in him; this is first in his intention (Exo 15:1): I will sing unto the Lord. Note, All our joy must terminate in God, and all our praises be offered up to him, the Father of lights and Father of mercies, for he hath triumphed. Note, All that love God triumph in his triumphs; what is his honour should be our joy. Israel rejoiced in God,

[1.]As their own God, and therefore their strength, song, and salvation, Exo 15:2. Happy therefore the people whose God is the Lord; they need no more to make them happy. They have work to do, temptations to grapple with, and afflictions to bear, and are weak in themselves; but he strengthens them: his grace is their strength. They are often in sorrow, upon many accounts, but in him they have comfort, he is their song; sin, and death, and hell, threaten them, but he is, and will be, their salvation: See Isa 12:2.

[2.]As their fathers' God. This they take notice of, because, being conscious to themselves of their own unworthiness and provocations, they had reason to think that what God had now done for them was for their fathers' sake, Deu 4:37. Note, The children of the covenant ought to improve their fathers' relation to God as their God for comfort, for caution, and for quickening.

[3.]As a God of infinite power (Exo 15:3): The Lord is a man of war, that is, well able to deal with all those that strive with their Maker, and will certainly be too hard for them.

[4.]As a God of matchless and incomparable perfection, Exo 15:11. This is expressed, First, More generally: Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods! This is pure praise, and a high expression of humble adoration. - It is a challenge to all other gods to compare with him: "Let them stand forth, and pretend their utmost; none of them dare make the comparison." Egypt was notorious for the multitude of its gods, but the God of the Hebrews was too hard for them and baffled them all, Num 33:4; Deu. 32:23-39. The princes and potentates of the world are called gods, but they are feeble and mortal, none of them all comparable to Jehovah, the almighty and eternal God. - It is confession of his infinite perfection, as transcendent and unparalleled. Note, God is to be worshipped and adored as a being of such infinite perfection that there is none like him, nor any to be compared with him, as one that in all things has and must have the pre-eminence, Psa 89:6. Secondly, More particularly, 1. He is glorious in holiness; his holiness is his glory. It is that attribute which angels adore, Isa 6:3. His holiness appeared in the destruction of Pharaoh, his hatred of sin, and his wrath against obstinate sinners. It appeared in the deliverance of Israel, his delight in the holy seed, and his faithfulness to his own promise. God is rich in mercy - this is his treasure, glorious in holiness - this is his honour. Let us always give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. 2. He is fearful in praises. That which is the matter of our praise, though it is joyful to the servants of God, is dreadful and very terrible to his enemies, Psa 66:1-3. Or it directs us in the manner of our praising God; we should praise him with a humble holy awe, and serve the Lord with fear. Even our spiritual joy and triumph must be balanced with a religious fear. 3. He is doing wonders, wondrous to all, being above the power and out of the common course of nature; especially wondrous to us, in whose favour they are wrought, who are so unworthy that we had little reason to expect them. They were wonders of power and wonders of grace; in both God was to be humbly adored.

(2.)He describes the deliverance they were now triumphing in, because the song was intended, not only to express and excite their thankfulness for the present, but to preserve and perpetuate the remembrance of this work of wonder to after-ages. Two things were to be taken notice of: -

[1.]The destruction of the enemy; the waters were divided, Exo 15:8. The floods stood upright as a heap. Pharaoh and all his hosts were buried in the waters. The horse and his rider could not escape (Exo 15:1), the chariots, and the chosen captains (Exo 15:4); they themselves went into the sea, and they were overwhelmed, Exo 15:19. The depths, the sea, covered them, and the proud waters went over the proud sinners; they sank like a stone, like lead (Exo 15:5, Exo 15:10), under the weight of their own guilt and God's wrath. Their sin had made them hard like a stone, and now they justly sink like a stone. Nay, the earth itself swallowed them (Exo 15:12); their dead bodies sank into the sands upon which they were thrown up, which sucked them in. Those whom the Creator fights against the whole creation is at war with. All this was the Lord's doing, and his only. It was an act of his power: Thy right hand, O Lord, not ours, has dashed in pieces the enemy, Exo 15:6. It was with the blast of thy nostrils (Exo 15:8), and thy wind (Exo 15:10), and the stretching out of thy right hand, Exo 15:12. It was an instance of his transcendent power - in the greatness of thy excellency; and it was the execution of his justice: Thou sentest forth thy wrath, Exo 15:7. This destruction of the Egyptians was made the more remarkable by their pride and insolence, and their strange assurance of success: The enemy said, I will pursue, Exo 15:9. Here is, First, Great confidence. When they pursue, they do not question but they shall overtake; and, when they overtake, they do not question but they shall overcome, and obtain so decisive a victory as to divide the spoil. Note, It is common for men to be most elevated with the hope of success when they are upon the brink of ruin, which makes their ruin so much the sorer. See Isa 37:24, Isa 37:25. Secondly, Great cruelty - nothing but killing, and slaying, and destroying, and this will satisfy his lust; and a barbarous lust that is which so much blood must be the satisfaction of. Note, It is a cruel hatred with which the church is hated; its enemies are bloody men. This is taken notice of here to show, 1. That God resists the proud, and delights to humble those who lift up themselves; he that says, "I will, and I will, whether God will or no," shall be made to know that wherein he deals proudly God is above him. 2. That those who thirst for blood shall have enough of it. Those who love to be destroying shall be destroyed; for we know who has said, Vengeance is mine, I will repay.

[2.]The protection and guidance of Israel (Exo 15:13): Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people, led them forth out of the bondage Egypt, led them forth out of the perils of the Red Sea, Exo 15:19. But the children of Israel went on dry land. Note, The destruction of the wicked serves for a foil to set off the salvation of Israel, and to make it the more illustrious, Isa 45:13-15.

(3.)He sets himself to improve this wonderful appearance of God for them.

[1.]In order to quicken them to serve God: in consideration of this, I will prepare him habitation, Exo 15:2. God having preserved them, and prepared a covert for them under which they had been safe and easy, they resolve to spare no cost nor pains for the erecting of a tabernacle to his honour, and there they will exalt him, and mention, to his praise, the honour he had got upon Pharaoh. God had now exalted them, making them great and high, and therefore they will exalt him, by speaking of his infinite height and grandeur. Note, Our constant endeavour should be, by praising his name and serving his interests, to exalt God; and it is an advancement to us to be so employed.

[2.]In order to encourage them to trust in God. So confident is this Psalmist of the happy issue of the salvation which was so gloriously begun that he looks upon it as in effect finished already: "Thou hast guided them to thy holy habitation, Exo 15:13. Thou hast thus put them into the way to it, and wilt in due time bring them to the end of that way," for God's work is perfect; or, "Thou hast guided them to attend thy holy habitation in heaven with their praises." Note, Those whom God takes under his direction he will guide to his holy habitation in faith now, and in fruition shortly. Two ways this great deliverance was encouraging: - First, It was such an instance of God's power as would terrify their enemies, and quite dishearten them, Exo 15:14-16. The very report of the overthrow of the Egyptians would be more than half the over throw of all their other enemies; it would sink their spirits, which would go far towards the sinking of their powers and interests; he Philistines, Moabites, Edomites, and Canaanites (with each of which nations Israel was to grapple), would be alarmed by it, would be quite dispirited, and would conclude it was in vain to fight against Israel, when a God of such power fought for them. It had this effect; the Edomites were afraid of them (Deu 2:4), so were the Moabites (Num 22:3), and the Canaanites, Jos 2:9, Jos 2:10; Jos 5:1. Thus God sent his fear before them (Exo 23:27), and cut off the spirit of princes. Secondly, It was such a beginning of God's favour to them as gave them an earnest of he perfection of his kindness. This was but in order to something further: Thou shalt bring them in, Exo 15:17. If he thus bring them out of Egypt, notwithstanding their unworthiness, and the difficulties that lay in the way of their escape, doubtless he will bring them into Canaan; for has he begun (so begun), and will he not make an end? Note, Our experiences of God's power and favour should be improved for the support of our expectations. "Thou hast, therefore, not only thou canst, but we trust thou wilt," is good arguing. Thou wilt plant them in the place which thou has made for thee to dwell in. Note, It is good dwelling where God dwells, in his church on earth (Psa 27:4), in his church in heaven, Joh 17:24. Where he says, "This is my rest for ever," we should say, "Let it be ours." Lastly, The great ground of the encouragement which they draw from this work of wonder is, The Lord shall reign for ever and ever, Exo 15:18. They had now seen an end of Pharaoh's reign; but time itself shall not put a period to Jehovah's reign, which, like himself, is eternal, and not subject to change. Note, It is the unspeakable comfort of all God's faithful subjects, not only that he does reign universally and with an incontestable sovereignty, but that he will reign eternally, and there shall be no end of his dominion.

II.The solemn singing of this song, Exo 15:20, Exo 15:21.

Miriam (or Mary, it is the same name) presided in an assembly of the women, who (according to the softness of their sex, and the common usage of those times for expressing joy, with timbrels and dances) sang this song. Moses led the psalm, and gave it out for the men, and then Miriam for the women. Famous victories were wont to be applauded by the daughters of Israel (Sa1 18:6, Sa1 18:7); so was this. When God brought Israel out of Egypt, it is said (Mic 6:4), He sent before them Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, though we read not of any thing memorable that Miriam did but this. But those are to be reckoned great blessings to a people who assist them, and go before them, in praising God.

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Historical interpretation

Two Centuries of Reception

5 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.

5 quotes · AD 215–430
Ante-NicenePost-Nicene
200300400

Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.

It is said in the ode, “For he has triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider has he cast into the sea.” The many-limbed and brutal affection, lust, with the rider mounted, who gives reigns to pleasures, “he has cast into the sea,” throwing them away into the disorders of the world. Thus also Plato, in his book On the Soul, says that the charioteer and the horse that ran off—the irrational part, which is divided in two, into anger and concupiscence—fall down. So the myth intimates that it was through the licentiousness of the steeds that Phathon was thrown out.
As the perfect Bride of the perfect husband, then, she has received the words of perfect doctrine. Moses and the children of Israel sang the first song to God when “they saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore” and when they saw “the strong hand” and the mighty strong arm “of the Lord and [when they] believed in God and Moses his servant.” Then they sang, therefore, saying, “Let us sing to the Lord, for he is gloriously magnified.” And I think that nobody can attain to that perfect and mystical song and to the perfection of the Bride which this Scripture contains unless he first marches “through the midst of the sea upon dry land” and, with “the water becoming to him as a wall on the right hand and on the left,” so makes his escape “from the hands of the Egyptians.” [Then] he “beholds them dead on the seashore” and, seeing the strong hand with which the Lord has acted against the Egyptians, believes in the Lord and in his servant Moses. In Moses, I say—in the law, and in the Gospels and in all the divine Scriptures. For them he will have good cause to sing and say, “Let us sing unto the Lord, for he is gloriously magnified.”
AD 420JeromePost-NiceneSourceHOMILY 90
Our motive in going over all this, dearly beloved brethren, is that we may be on our guard, for fear that, after coming out from Egypt and hastening through the desert for forty days—for forty years, as it were—to reach the land of promise, we should long for the fleshpots of Egypt and be bitten to death by the serpents. We have left Egypt; what have we to do with the food of Egypt? We who have bread from heaven; why do we go in search of earthly foods? We who have left Pharaoh, let us call upon the help of the Lord so that the Egyptian king may be drowned in the baptism of those who believe. Let his horses and their riders perish there; let the raging army of the adversary be destroyed. Let us not murmur against the Lord lest we be struck down by him.
AD 430Augustine of HippoPost-NiceneSourceSERMON 363.2
As far as we are concerned, you see, they are dead, because they cannot lord it over us anymore; because our very misdeeds, which made us into their subjects, have been, so to say, sunk and obliterated in the sea, when we were set free by the bath of holy grace.
AD 430Augustine of HippoPost-NiceneSourceSERMON 223E.2
“For he has been gloriously extolled” who has already granted us in the bath of regeneration what we have been singing about: “horse and rider he has cast into the sea.” All our past sins, you see, which have been pressing on us, as it were, from behind, he has drowned and obliterated in baptism. These dark things of ours were being ridden by unclean spirits as their mounts, and like horsemen they were riding them wherever they liked. That’s why the apostle calls them “rulers of this darkness.” We have been rid of all this through baptism, as through the Red Sea, so called because sanctified by the blood of the crucified Lord. Let us not turn back to Egypt in our hearts, but with him as our protector and guide let us wend our way through the other trials and temptations of the desert toward the kingdom.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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