Exodus 15: The Song at the Sea
Having walked through the sea on dry ground, Moses and Israel break into a song of triumph, then immediately meet bitter water in the wilderness.
Exodus 15 (WEB)
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. The horse and his rider he has thrown 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 shall be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword, my hand shall 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 on 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 are 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 pass over who you have purchased.
17 You 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.
18 Yahweh shall 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 midst 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. The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”
22 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.
23 When they came to Marah, they couldn’t drink from the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore its name was called Marah.
24 The people murmured against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?”
25 Then 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;
26 and 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.”
27 They came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water, and seventy palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
Exodus 15 (KJV)
1 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 horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
2 The 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.
3 The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name.
4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.
5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.
6 Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.
7 And 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.
8 And 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.
9 The 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.
10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
11 Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
12 Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.
13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
14 The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.
15 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.
16 Fear 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.
17 Thou 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.
18 The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.
19 For 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.
20 And 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.
21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
22 So 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.
23 And 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.
24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
25 And 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,
26 And 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.
27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
Exodus 15 (ASV)
1 Then 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.
2 Jehovah 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.
3 Jehovah is a man of war: Jehovah is his name.
4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea; And his chosen captains are sunk in the Red Sea.
5 The deeps cover them: They went down into the depths like a stone.
6 Thy right hand, O Jehovah, is glorious in power, Thy right hand, O Jehovah, dasheth in pieces the enemy.
7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou overthrowest them that rise up against thee: Thou sendest forth thy wrath, it consumeth them as stubble.
8 And 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.
9 The 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.
10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: They sank as lead in the mighty waters.
11 Who is like unto thee, O Jehovah, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
12 Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, The earth swallowed them.
13 Thou in thy lovingkindness hast led the people that thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them in thy strength to thy holy habitation.
14 The peoples have heard, they tremble: Pangs have taken hold on the inhabitants of Philistia.
15 Then were the chiefs of Edom dismayed; The mighty men of Moab, trembling taketh hold upon them: All the inhabitants of Canaan are melted away.
16 Terror 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.
17 Thou 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.
18 Jehovah shall reign for ever and ever.
19 For 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.
20 And 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.
21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to Jehovah, for he hath triumphed gloriously; The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
22 And 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.
23 And 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.
24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
25 And 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;
26 and 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.
27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve springs of water, and threescore and ten palm-trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
Summary
Standing safe on the far shore, Moses and the children of Israel burst into song, celebrating Yahweh who has triumphed gloriously by hurling horse and rider into the sea. The song exalts God as a warrior and a deliverer, recounting how the proud enemy boasted but sank like lead, and asking who is like Yahweh among the gods, glorious in holiness. The redeemed people look ahead, confident that God will lead them in loving kindness to his holy habitation and plant them on the mountain of his inheritance, for Yahweh shall reign forever. Miriam the prophetess takes a tambourine, and all the women follow her with dancing and the same refrain of praise. Yet the joy is short-lived: three days into the wilderness of Shur they find no water, and the water at Marah is bitter. The people murmur, and Moses cries out to Yahweh, who shows him a tree to throw into the water, making it sweet. There God makes a statute, tests the people, and reveals himself as the LORD who heals them. They come at last to Elim, with twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and there they rest.
Main Characters
- Moses — The leader who sings Yahweh's praise at the sea and then cries out to God at Marah when the people find only bitter water.
- Miriam — The prophetess and sister of Aaron, who takes up a tambourine and leads the women in dancing and singing of Yahweh's triumph.
- Yahweh (the LORD) — The warrior God who has thrown Pharaoh's army into the sea, who heals the bitter water at Marah, and reveals himself as the LORD who heals.
- The children of Israel — The redeemed people who sing God's victory yet murmur within days when the wilderness offers no water to drink.
Key Verse
Exodus 15:2 (WEB)
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.
Lessons Learned
- Redemption rightly overflows into worship; the saved cannot help but sing of their Savior.
- Yahweh alone is incomparable, glorious in holiness, sovereign over the proudest enemies.
- The same God who delivers also leads, guiding his redeemed toward his holy dwelling.
- Faith celebrated at the sea is quickly tested at Marah; God allows trials to teach trust.
- God reveals himself as the One who heals, turning bitterness sweet for those who cry to him.
- Salvation produces song. Israel's first response on the far shore is praise: “I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously” (Exodus 15:1, WEB). Worship is the native language of the redeemed.
- God himself is our strength and salvation. “Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation” (Exodus 15:2, WEB). Deliverance is not merely something God gives but who he is for his people.
- No one compares to the LORD. “Who is like you, Yahweh, among the gods?” (Exodus 15:11, WEB). His holiness and power set him apart from every rival the heart could serve.
- God turns bitterness sweet. When Moses cried out, Yahweh “showed him a tree, and he threw it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet” (Exodus 15:25, WEB). The God who saves also sustains and heals.
- What does the song reveal about who Yahweh is and what he has done for Israel?
- Why do you think the song looks ahead to God's “holy habitation” and his reign forever?
- How quickly does Israel move from praise to grumbling, and what does that reveal about the human heart?
- What does the healing of the water at Marah teach about how God meets us in trials?
- When has God turned something bitter in your life into something sweet, and how did you respond?
- The song names Yahweh as warrior, deliverer, and incomparable King who threw Pharaoh's army into the sea (15:1-12). It moves from what God did to who God is—their strength, salvation, and God whom they will exalt. Worship remembers and proclaims God's mighty acts.
- The song does not stop at the sea but anticipates God planting his people in “the mountain of your inheritance” and reigning “forever and ever” (15:17-18). Redemption has a destination; God saves his people to dwell with him, a hope fulfilled in Christ.
- Within three days the singing turns to murmuring when there is no water (15:22-24). The same hearts that praised so quickly forget, reminding us how prone we are to doubt God's care the moment circumstances harden. Grace, not our consistency, holds us.
- At Marah God tests the people and then provides, showing Moses a tree that makes the water sweet (15:25). Trials are not signs of God's absence but occasions to learn that he is “Yahweh who heals you” (15:26). He meets us in our need.
- This is a personal-application question. Invite members to recall a bitter season God made sweet, and to consider whether they responded with trust or grumbling. As leader, keep the focus on God's faithfulness rather than on perfect performance.