Exodus 15

“Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD , and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD …” Naming Israel and Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, name. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.” Naming Pharaoh and Red keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.” The line’s distinctive content terms include bottom, covered, depths. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Thy right hand, O LORD , is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD , hath dashed in pieces the enemy.” Naming Thy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy…” The line’s distinctive content terms include consumed, excellency, greatness. Its relationship to verses 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include blast, congealed, depths. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.

“The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Who is like unto thee, O LORD , among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD , which thou hast…” Naming Sanctuary keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with…” Naming Aaron and Miriam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD , for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he…” Naming Miriam and Sing keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of…” Naming Marah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And he cried unto the LORD ; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were…” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, waters, cried. Its relationship to verses 24 and 26 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his…” Naming Egyptians keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by…” The number twelve makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.