The Way
The Song by the Sea
The first praise, over the beat of tambourines
Story
Morning broke over the shore. The wind that had raged all night had died away. Broken pieces of chariots washed up along the calm water's edge, and the people stood silent on the wet sand, gazing out to sea. Then Moses and the Israelites lifted their voices and began to sing. I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously. Horse and rider he has hurled into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will exalt him. At the blast of the Lord's nostrils the waters piled up, the waves stood up like a wall, the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea. Now the song looked ahead. Philistia and Edom, Moab and Canaan will tremble. The Lord will bring this people in and plant them on his holy mountain.
Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand. All the women followed her with tambourines, dancing. Above the sound of the tambourines on the sea breeze, Miriam's voice rang out to lead the song, and the women's voices answered after her. Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously. Horse and rider he has hurled into the sea.
Walk this scene on the map →God's Words
The Lord is my strength and my song; he is the one who saved me. He is my God, and I will praise him; my father's God, and I will lift him high.
Lord, who among the gods is like you? Who shines in holiness, awesome in praise, doing wonders?
Sing to the Lord, for he has won a great victory. Horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Ex 15:1–21
Background
Because of its many archaic Hebrew expressions, this Song of the Sea is considered one of the oldest poems in the Bible. Miriam is the first woman in the Bible called a prophet, and the book of Revelation also pictures people singing the song of Moses.
Pause and Reflect
Do I only rejoice in the gift, or do I praise God who gave it?