Read & explore together
The Song at the Sea
This passage is a song of worship linked to the sea crossing. Israel praises Yahweh for rescue, for defeating Pharaoh’s army in the sea, and for leading his people onward.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
The passage itself explains the setting. Moses and the children of Israel sing because Yahweh threw horse and rider into the sea. Later the passage briefly repeats that Pharaoh’s horses entered the sea, Yahweh brought the waters back on them, and Israel walked on dry land. Miriam and the women echo the song with tambourines and dances.
Exodus 15:1–21Main takeaway
This song praises Yahweh for rescuing his people and, soberly, for defeating Pharaoh’s army in the sea, while confessing that he leads his redeemed people and reigns forever.
Explore the prayer
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The song starts with rescue and praiseThe opening gives the reason for singing. Yahweh has triumphed gloriously and thrown horse and rider into the sea.
Explanation
The opening gives the reason for singing. Yahweh has triumphed gloriously and thrown horse and rider into the sea. The singers call him their strength, song, and salvation. Their response is worship: this is their God, so they will praise and exalt him.
02Poetry describes Yahweh defeating the enemyThe song speaks in vivid images. Pharaoh’s chariots and army are cast into the sea, covered by the deeps, and sinking like a stone or like lead.
Explanation
The song speaks in vivid images. Pharaoh’s chariots and army are cast into the sea, covered by the deeps, and sinking like a stone or like lead. It also quotes the enemy’s proud plans, then answers them with Yahweh’s wind and power over the waters.
03Yahweh is unmatched in holiness and wondersThe song asks, “Who is like you, Yahweh, among the gods?” This question highlights that no one compares with him.
Explanation
The song asks, “Who is like you, Yahweh, among the gods?” This question highlights that no one compares with him. He is glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, and doing wonders. The focus is not only on strength, but on who Yahweh is and why he is worshipped.
04The song looks ahead to Yahweh’s reignAfter remembering rescue, the singers speak of Yahweh leading the people he redeemed. They expect surrounding peoples to tremble, and they trust that he will bring his people to the place of his dwelling.
Explanation
After remembering rescue, the singers speak of Yahweh leading the people he redeemed. They expect surrounding peoples to tremble, and they trust that he will bring his people to the place of his dwelling. The passage closes with Miriam and the women repeating the song’s opening praise.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reasons for singing are named at the start of the song?
Look for the lines about Yahweh’s triumph and the words strength, song, and salvation.
02Which images make the enemy’s defeat sound vivid and serious?
Notice the comparisons about sinking and the description of the waters piling up and covering them.
03How does the song move from rescue at the sea to hope for what comes next?
Trace the words about Yahweh leading, bringing in, and reigning forever.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Exodus 15:1–21
1Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to Yahweh, and said, “I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously. He has thrown the horse and his rider into the sea.
2Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
3Yahweh is a man of war. Yahweh is his name.
4He has cast Pharaoh’s chariots and his army into the sea. His chosen captains are sunk in the Red Sea.
5The deeps cover them. They went down into the depths like a stone.
6Your right hand, Yahweh, is glorious in power. Your right hand, Yahweh, dashes the enemy in pieces.
7In the greatness of your excellency, you overthrow those who rise up against you. You send out your wrath. It consumes them as stubble.
8With the blast of your nostrils, the waters were piled up. The floods stood upright as a heap. The deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea.
9The enemy said, ‘I will pursue. I will overtake. I will divide the plunder. My desire will be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword. My hand will destroy them.’
10You blew with your wind. The sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
11Who is like you, Yahweh, among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
12You stretched out your right hand. The earth swallowed them.
13“You, in your loving kindness, have led the people that you have redeemed. You have guided them in your strength to your holy habitation.
14The peoples have heard. They tremble. Pangs have taken hold of the inhabitants of Philistia.
15Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed. Trembling takes hold of the mighty men of Moab. All the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.
16Terror and dread falls on them. By the greatness of your arm they are as still as a stone, until your people pass over, Yahweh, until the people you have purchased pass over.
17You will bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of your inheritance, the place, Yahweh, which you have made for yourself to dwell in: the sanctuary, Lord, which your hands have established.
18Yahweh will reign forever and ever.”
19For the horses of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and Yahweh brought back the waters of the sea on them; but the children of Israel walked on dry land in the middle of the sea.
20Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances.
21Miriam answered them, “Sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously. He has thrown the horse and his rider into the sea.”