The big picture
Israel, newly freed from slavery as a people, has crossed the sea on dry ground while the pursuing army drowned. Moses, their leader, and the people now sing to the LORD. Miriam, a woman who speaks for God, leads the women in response. Praise soon gives way to thirst in the wilderness. The God who defeated an army must now provide water for the people he rescued.
In this chapter
- Israel Sings About God's Victory Exodus 15:1-5
Moses and Israel sing to the LORD after the crossing.
- The Enemy's Boast Ends Underwater Exodus 15:6-12
The song speaks of God's right hand and breath to describe his strength over the enemy and sea.
- The Song Looks Toward a Home Exodus 15:13-18
Praise now looks ahead.
- Miriam Leads the Women's Response Exodus 15:19-21
Exodus recalls the difference at the sea: Pharaoh's force entered and was covered, while Israel walked through on dry ground.
- Bitter Water Becomes Drinkable Exodus 15:22-27
Moses leads Israel into the wilderness of Shur, the dry region beyond the sea.
Central truth
Israel praises God for victory at the sea, then learns that life after rescue still requires his provision and instruction.
Scripture beside the summary
Exodus · King James Version · 27Exodus 15:1-5
Israel Sings About God's Victory
Moses and Israel sing to the LORD after the crossing. They celebrate him as their strength, their rescue, and the God of their fathers. The song describes the LORD as a warrior who has thrown horse and rider into the sea. Pharaoh's chariots, army, and chosen officers have drowned beneath the depths. Israel credits its escape to God's action rather than its own fighting. The victory is not detached from death: the song names the enemy's drowning as the act that ended the threat of renewed slavery.
In everyday life
A retired mine worker raises a toast to the rescue team at a reunion. Others join him, naming the people who brought them out when they had no way to climb free. Their words put credit outside themselves. The memory remains serious despite the celebration. Israel's song also praises God's defeat of an enemy through death.
Notice
Exodus 15:2 The singers connect their own rescue with the God of their fathers. What they have seen becomes personal praise within a longer family memory.
Exodus 15:1-5
King James Version1Then 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.
Exodus 15:6-12
The Enemy's Boast Ends Underwater
The song speaks of God's right hand and breath to describe his strength over the enemy and sea. The pursuers had planned to overtake Israel, take goods, and destroy them. Their confident speech meets God's wind, and they sink beneath the water. The singers ask who among the gods compares with the LORD in holiness and wonders. Their answer is that none does. Images of fire, breath, and a raised hand give words to what happened. The enemy's plans fail because the power they face is not another human army.
In everyday life
The cargo pilot announces a rapid departure and counts the deliveries he expects to finish. A violent storm closes the runway before his crew can load. He stands beside the grounded aircraft with every confident plan stopped by forces outside his control. Nature defeats this plan; the song names God's deliberate overthrow of an attacking army.
Notice
Exodus 15:9 The enemy speaks through a string of intended actions. The next verse overturns those plans, making their confidence stand against their actual helplessness.
Exodus 15:6-12
King James Version6Thy 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.
Exodus 15:13-18
The Song Looks Toward a Home
Praise now looks ahead. God has led the people he rescued, and the song expects him to bring them to his holy dwelling. Neighbouring peoples and the inhabitants of the promised land will hear and tremble. Their fear will leave them still as Israel passes. The singers picture God planting his people in the place he prepares for himself. Rescue from Egypt points toward settled life near him. The closing claim reaches farther than one battle or reign: the LORD will rule forever.
In everyday life
The refugee father stands in a newly assigned rural cottage holding its key. He shows his children the empty beds and the plot where they can plant food. Escape now opens into plans for staying and growing roots. His relief looks forward. Israel's song promises a home prepared by God and a reign without end.
Notice
Exodus 15:17 The image of planting gives the rescued people roots in a prepared place. The song's hope is more than continued escape from danger.
Exodus 15:13-18
King James Version13Thou 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.
Exodus 15:19-21
Miriam Leads the Women's Response
Exodus recalls the difference at the sea: Pharaoh's force entered and was covered, while Israel walked through on dry ground. Miriam takes a hand drum, and the women follow with drums and dancing. She calls them to sing to the LORD for his victory over horse and rider. Their response echoes the song's opening words. The rescue is celebrated by the community through voices and movement, not left as a report from its leaders. Miriam is named as a prophetess, a woman recognized as speaking in relation to God.
In everyday life
A choir leader lifts her hand at a reunion, and the women beside her answer the line the wider group has sung. Drums keep time as more voices join. Their response makes the shared memory audible across the hall. They are not silent onlookers. Miriam's response celebrates a specific rescue by God, not a reunion arranged around music.
Notice
Exodus 15:20 Miriam is named and given the title prophetess. Her leadership in the response belongs within the account of the people's worship after rescue.
Exodus 15:19-21
King James Version19For 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.
Exodus 15:22-27
Bitter Water Becomes Drinkable
Moses leads Israel into the wilderness of Shur, the dry region beyond the sea. After three days without water, they reach Marah, a place with bitter water they cannot drink. The people complain to Moses, and he cries to God. God shows him a tree; when he throws it into the water, the water becomes drinkable. God gives instruction and tests the people, promising protection from Egyptian diseases if they obey him. They later camp at Elim, an oasis with twelve wells and seventy palm trees.
In everyday life
A disaster volunteer leads evacuees to a water tank and discovers its contents are unusable. The crowd's relief turns to anger. She calls the coordinator, follows a treatment instruction, and finally fills their cups. Surviving the first danger has not removed daily need. Marah's water changes through God's direction, not through a described modern treatment process.
Notice
Exodus 15:25 Moses answers the complaint by crying to the LORD. The leader who brought the people to water cannot make it usable without help.
Exodus 15:22-27
King James Version22So 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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Exodus 15:1 begins with “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…”
Where the chapter turns
Exodus 15:15 forms a natural hinge: “Then 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.”
The final note
Exodus 15:27 leaves the reader with “And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, waters, hand, people, right, horse help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- timbrel
- A small hand-held drum used to accompany singing and dancing.
- congealed
- Made firm or thick, here describing the waters standing together.
Music and video connected to the passage
Related media appears when its Scripture reference overlaps this study. Music and video can illuminate a theme while the biblical text remains the foundation.
