Exodus — Chapter 15

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1Then 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.

2The 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.

3The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.

4Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.

5The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.

6Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

7And 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.

8And 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.

9The 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.

10Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.

11Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

12Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.

13Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

14The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.

15Then 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.

16Fear 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.

17Thou 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.

18The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.

19For 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.

20And 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.

21And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

22So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

23And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.

24And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

25And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

26And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

27And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

1Then 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.

2Jehovah is my strength and song, And he is become my salvation: This is my God, and I will praise him; My father`s God, and I will exalt him.

3Jehovah is a man of war: Jehovah is his name.

4Pharaoh`s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea; And his chosen captains are sunk in the Red Sea.

5The deeps cover them: They went down into the depths like a stone.

6Thy right hand, O Jehovah, is glorious in power, Thy right hand, O Jehovah, dasheth in pieces the enemy.

7And in the greatness of thine excellency thou overthrowest them that rise up against thee: Thou sendest forth thy wrath, it consumeth them as stubble.

8And with the blast of thy 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 spoil; My desire shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

10Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: They sank as lead in the mighty waters.

11Who is like unto thee, O Jehovah, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders?

12Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, The earth swallowed them.

13Thou in thy lovingkindness hast led the people that thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them in thy strength to thy holy habitation.

14The peoples have heard, they tremble: Pangs have taken hold on the inhabitants of Philistia.

15Then were the chiefs of Edom dismayed; The mighty men of Moab, trembling taketh hold upon them: All the inhabitants of Canaan are melted away.

16Terror and dread falleth upon them; By the greatness of thine arm they are as still as a stone; Till thy people pass over, O Jehovah, Till the people pass over that thou hast purchased.

17Thou wilt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, The place, O Jehovah, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, The sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.

18Jehovah shall reign for ever and ever.

19For the horses of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and Jehovah brought back the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel walked on dry land in the midst of the sea.

20And 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.

21And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to Jehovah, for he hath triumphed gloriously; The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

22And Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

23And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.

24And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

25An he cried unto Jehovah; And Jehovah showed him a tree, and he cast it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet. There he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them;

26and he said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of Jehovah thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his eyes, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon thee, which I have put upon the Egyptians: for I am Jehovah that healeth thee.

27And they came to Elim, where were twelve springs of water, and threescore and ten palm-trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

1Then 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.

2The 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.

3The Lord is a warrior— the Lord is his name.

4The chariots of Pharaoh and his army he has thrown into the sea, and his chosen officers were drowned in the Red Sea.

5The depths have covered them; they went down to the bottom like a stone.

6Your right hand, O Lord, was majestic in power; your right hand, O Lord, shattered the enemy.

7In the abundance of your majesty you have overthrown those who rise up against you. You sent forth your wrath; it consumed them like stubble.

8By 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.

9The 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.’

10But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters.

11Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, fearful in praises, working wonders?

12You stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them.

13By your loyal love you will lead the people whom you have redeemed; you will guide them by your strength to your holy dwelling place.

14The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will seize the inhabitants of Philistia.

15Then the chiefs of Edom will be terrified, trembling will seize the leaders of Moab, and the inhabitants of Canaan will shake.

16Fear 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.

17You 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.

18The Lord will reign forever and ever!

19For 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.”

20Miriam 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.

21Miriam 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.”

22Then Moses led Israel to journey away from the Red Sea. They went out to the wilderness of Shur, walked for three days into the wilderness, and found no water.

23Then they came to Marah, but they were not able to drink the waters of Marah, because they were bitter. (That is why its name was Marah.)

24So the people murmured against Moses, saying, “What can we drink?”

25He cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When Moses threw it into the water, the water became safe to drink. There the Lord made for them a binding ordinance, and there he tested them.

26He said, “If you will diligently obey the Lord your God, and do what is right in his sight, and pay attention to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, then all the diseases that I brought on the Egyptians I will not bring on you, for I, the Lord, am your healer.”

27Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees, and they camped there by the water.

1Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to Yahweh, and said, “I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously. The horse and his rider he has thrown 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 shall be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword, my hand shall 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 on 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 shall 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 shall 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. The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”

22Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

23When they came to Marah, they couldn’t drink from the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore its name was called Marah.

24The people murmured against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?”

25Then he cried to Yahweh. Yahweh showed him a tree, and he threw it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet. There he made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there he tested them;

26and he said, “If you will diligently listen to Yahweh your God’s voice, and will do that which is right in his eyes, and will pay attention to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you, which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am Yahweh who heals you.”

27They came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water, and seventy palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Moses and Israel sing a victory song celebrating God's triumph over Egypt; Miriam leads the women in worship; God provides water at Marah.

Authorship & Background

Author: Moses (see Chapter 1 notes for full authorship details).
Historical Context: Chapter 15 contains the Song of Moses (vv.1-18) — the first recorded song in Scripture and one of the oldest pieces of Hebrew poetry. Sung on the eastern shore of the Red Sea with Egypt's army destroyed, it celebrates God as warrior, redeemer, and king. Miriam leads the women in responsive worship (vv.20-21). But the chapter also records Israel's first complaint in the wilderness — only three days after the greatest miracle in their history (vv.22-24). At Marah, bitter water is made sweet by a tree God shows Moses (v.25) — a picture of the cross transforming bitterness. God reveals Himself as "the LORD that healeth thee" — Jehovah Rapha (v.26).
The Song of Moses (vv.1-18): Structured in three movements: (1) Praise for victory (vv.1-12): "The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation" (v.2). "The LORD is a man of war" (v.3). Pharaoh's army destroyed — "they sank into the bottom as a stone" (v.5), "they sank as lead" (v.10). "Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods?" (v.11). (2) God's guidance to the Promised Land (vv.13-16): Nations will hear and tremble — Philistia, Edom, Moab, Canaan (vv.14-16). "Till thy people pass over, which thou hast purchased" (v.16). (3) God's eternal reign (vv.17-18): "Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them" (v.17). "The LORD shall reign for ever and ever" (v.18).
Miriam's Song (vv.19-21): Miriam the prophetess leads the women with timbrels and dancing (v.20). Her refrain echoes Moses: "Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously" (v.21).
Marah: Bitter Water Made Sweet (vv.22-27): Three days without water (v.22). At Marah, the water is bitter — undrinkable (v.23). The people murmur (v.24). Moses cries to God; God shows him a tree — cast into the water, it becomes sweet (v.25). God gives a conditional promise: obey, and "I will put none of these diseases upon thee... for I am the LORD that healeth thee" (v.26). They arrive at Elim: twelve wells and seventy palm trees (v.27) — abundance after testing.

Map & Geography

  • The eastern shore of the Red Sea: Israel sings the victory song on the far side of the crossing.
  • Marah (v.23): "Bitter" — three days into the Wilderness of Shur, they find water but it is undrinkable. God makes it sweet.
  • Elim (v.27): An oasis with twelve wells and seventy palm trees — provision and rest after testing.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik covers the Song of Moses as Israel's first worship, the rapid transition from praise to complaint, and the tree at Marah as a type of the cross.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "Jehovah Rapha" on v.26 (MTP Vol. 24, No. 1443) "I am the LORD that HEALETH thee — not merely 'that heals thy body' but 'that heals THEE.' Body, soul, spirit — relationships, memories, wounds. God is the comprehensive Healer. And how does He heal? At Marah, He heals bitter water with a TREE. The tree cast into the bitter waters makes them sweet. Christian, do you see it? The cross — that tree on which Christ hung — cast into the bitter waters of your life, makes them sweet. Every bitterness is transformed by the cross. Every grief is sweetened by Calvary. The tree heals the water."
  • Sermon: "The Song of Moses" on v.1 (MTP Vol. 4, No. 195) "THEN sang Moses — not before. Not while the sea was parting. Not while they were walking through. AFTER. After the victory was complete. After the enemy was dead. After the salvation was finished. We sing best when we look back at completed deliverances. And one day we will sing the song of Moses AND the Lamb (Revelation 15:3) — looking back at the completed work of redemption from the shores of eternity."

Reflection

  • 1. "Then sang Moses" (v.1). Worship follows deliverance. When God delivers you — do you stop to praise? Or do you rush to the next problem? Take time to sing after your Red Sea moments.
  • 2. "Who is like unto thee, O LORD?" (v.11). No one. Nothing. No problem, no enemy, no circumstance compares to God. When you're overwhelmed, ask this question — and let the answer settle your heart.
  • 3. Three days from the Red Sea to murmuring (vv.22-24). How quickly we forget God's faithfulness. Yesterday's miracle doesn't prevent today's complaint. Guard your heart against short-term memory.
  • 4. God showed Moses a tree — and the bitter water became sweet (v.25). The cross transforms bitterness. Whatever bitter circumstance you're facing — bring it to the cross. Let Christ's sacrifice change its taste.
  • 5. "I am the LORD that healeth thee" (v.26). God is your healer — not just physically but comprehensively. Bring your wounds, your bitterness, your brokenness to Jehovah Rapha. He heals.