Single lesson
The Song at the Sea
Exodus 15:1–21
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.
Before you teach
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.
Explain the central teaching of The Song at the Sea, using two details from the reading. 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.
Welcome: The Song at the Sea
5 minIntroduce “The Song at the Sea” and locate Exodus 15:1–21. 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. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Exodus 15:1, Exodus 15:11, Exodus 15:21
Read and explain the passage
12 minThe 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.
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.
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.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “The Song at the Sea”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Exodus 15:1, Exodus 15:2, Exodus 15:11, Exodus 15:13, Exodus 15:14, Exodus 15:16, Exodus 15:17, Exodus 15:18, Exodus 15:20, Exodus 15:21
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What reasons for singing are named at the start of the song?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. 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. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Exodus 15:1, Exodus 15:2, Exodus 15:5, Exodus 15:8, Exodus 15:10, Exodus 15:13, Exodus 15:17, Exodus 15:18
Make and respond: Words and images response sheet
12 minWork on “The Song at the Sea: Words and images response sheet”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “The Song at the Sea” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Exodus 15:1, Exodus 15:11, Exodus 15:21
Closing: return to The Song at the Sea
3 minRevisit Exodus 15:1–21. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about The Song at the Sea and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Exodus 15:1, Exodus 15:11, Exodus 15:21
Questions to explore
What 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.
Exodus 15:1, Exodus 15:2
Which 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.
Exodus 15:5, Exodus 15:8, Exodus 15:10
How 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.
Exodus 15:13, Exodus 15:17, Exodus 15:18
Make, think or respond
The Song at the Sea: Words and images response sheet
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “A repeated word or image”, “Its verse reference”, “What it expresses”.
- Read Exodus 15:1–21. Use “The Song at the Sea” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Choose one image and add a short written response or a simple drawing. Explain how it connects with the passage.
The finished sheet keeps the details of The Song at the Sea connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “The Song at the Sea” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Exodus 15:1–21. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Exodus 15:1–21. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Exodus 15
1 Then 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.
2 Yah 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.
3 Yahweh is a man of war. Yahweh is his name.
4 He has cast Pharaoh’s chariots and his army into the sea. His chosen captains are sunk in the Red Sea.
5 The deeps cover them. They went down into the depths like a stone.
6 Your right hand, Yahweh, is glorious in power. Your right hand, Yahweh, dashes the enemy in pieces.
7 In the greatness of your excellency, you overthrow those who rise up against you. You send out your wrath. It consumes them as stubble.
8 With 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.
9 The 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.’
10 You blew with your wind. The sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
11 Who is like you, Yahweh, 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 loving kindness, have led the people that you have redeemed. You have guided them in your strength to your holy habitation.
14 The peoples have heard. They tremble. Pangs have taken hold of the inhabitants of Philistia.
15 Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed. Trembling takes hold of the mighty men of Moab. All the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.
16 Terror 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.
17 You 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.
18 Yahweh will reign forever and ever.”
19 For 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.
20 Miriam 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.
21 Miriam answered them, “Sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously. He has thrown the horse and his rider into the sea.”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.