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.
Moses began and ended his wilderness career with a song. Compare Deuteronomy 32 , which is "the" song referred to in Revelation 15:3 .
The song proper occupies verses: Exodus 15:4-17 . It is preceded and followed by praise with introduction and conclusion.
Then sang . There was no singing in Egypt, only sighing and groaning (Exodus 2:23 , Exodus 2:24 ).
children = sons.
this song . Note the ten Songs of Praise: (1) Exodus 15:1-19 . (2) Numbers 21:17 , Numbers 21:18 . (3) Deuteronomy 32:1-43 . (4) Judges 5:1-3 . (5) 1 Samuel 2:1-10 . (6) 2 Samuel 22:1-5 . (7) Luke 1:46-55 . (8) Luke 1:68-79 . (9) Luke 2:29-32 . (10) Revelation 14:3 . unto the LORD. Jehovah is the sole theme: and should be the theme of our praise. Note the "Thee" and "Thou", and contrast the "We" of Numbers 13:33 , and the result, weeping, in Exodus 15:14 . It begins with Redemption, and ends with glory. No "praise" short of this. the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
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.
THE LORD = Hebrew JAH, the Eternal, inhabiting eternity. See App-4 . The first occurance of this Title: connects it with Redemption.
song . Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch and Targum of Onkelos, read "and my song". Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct). App-6 . = "He of Whom I sing".
salvation . Compare Psalms 118:14 , Psalms 118:2 .
GOD . Hebrew. El. See App-4 .
God. Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .
3.
The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
man . Hebrew. 'ash. See App-14 .
of war . This is what He is out of Christ; and to those who are not the subjects of His redeeming power.
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.
right hand . Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .
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.
blast . Hebrew. ruach. See App-9 .
nostrils . Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. See App-6 .
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.
I will pursue . Note the Figure of speech Asyndeton ( App-6 ), in Exodus 15:9 and Exodus 15:10 . No "ands": to hasten on to the grand climax-" they sank as lead" (Exodus 15:10 ).
lust . Hebrew. nephesh = soul. See App-13 .
10.
Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
wind . Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .ead. First occurance.
11.
Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Who is like unto Thee? This is ever the saints' noblest praise. Emphasised by the Figure of speech Erotesis. ( App-6 ). Compare Deuteronomy 33:26 , Deuteronomy 33:27 ; 1 Samuel 2:2 . 1 Samuel 2:1 Ch. Exo 17:20 . Psalms 35:19 ; Psalms 71:19 ; Psalms 73:25 ; Psalms 86:8 ; Psalms 89:6 , Psalms 89:8 ; Psalms 113:5 .
gods = mighty ones, as in Exodus 15:15 . Hebrew. elin. See note on Exodus 22:8 .
Fearful in praises : i.e. to be revered in praising Him for His wondrous acts.
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.
mercy = loving-kindness, or grace. N. B. Led forth in mercy, redeemed in grace, guided by strength.
redeemed . Hebrew. g'aal. See notes on Exodus 6:6 with Exodus 13:13 . Exodus the book of Redemption. See Title.
14.
The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.
people = peoples: no Art. (compare Genesis 49:16 , first occurance.) shall hear. Compare Joshua 2:9 .
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.
dukes = chiefs.
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.
Till Thy People , &c. Note Figure of speech Epizeuxis. App-6 .
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.
plant . The word used by God throughout of settling His People. Jeremiah 18:9 . Amos 9:15 .Romans 6:5 . 1 Corinthians 3:6-10 .
place = appointed place.
O LORD . One of the 134 places where Jehovah was altered, by the Sopherim, to Adonai. App-32 .
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.
Miriam . Hebrew form of Mary.
prophetess . First occurance.
a = the.
timbrels = drum. Hebrew. toph, rendered "tabret "(Genesis 31:27 . 1Sa 10:5 ; 1 Samuel 18:6 . 2 Samuel 6:5 .Isaiah 5:12 ; Isaiah 24:8 ; Isaiah 30:32 .Jeremiah 31:4 .Ezekiel 28:13; Ezekiel 28:13 ), "timbre]. "(Exodus 15:20 . Judges 11:34 . 2 Samuel 6:5 . 2 Samuel 6:1 Ch. Exodus 13:8 . Job 21:12 .Psalms 81:2 ; Psalms 149:3 ; Psalms 150:4 ).
Note the journeyings , at the extremes; with the six ascents and descents of Moses, separated by the two principal subjects of the book: the giving of the Law and the making of the Tabernacle.
In Ch. 24 the fourth ascent is given as consisting of several stages.
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.
Shur . Name given from the great wall built to protect Egypt from Asia, with its great Migdol, or fortress. See note on Exodus 14:2 .
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.
Marah = Bitter. The Divine principle in the training of God's People. Foreshown in Abraham's furnace and lamp; Marah before Elim; wilderness before Canaan; cross before crown; worse before better (John 2:10 ); suffering before glory (Luke 24:26 , Luke 24:46 ; 2 Timothy 2:11 , 2 Timothy 2:12 ; compare Romans 8:17 , Rom 8:18 ; 2 Corinthians 4:17 , 2 Corinthians 4:18 . James 1:12 .Revelation 2:10 . 1 Peter 1:11 ; 1Pe 4:13 ; 1 Peter 5:1 , 1 Peter 5:10 , Hebrews 12:11 .Psalms 126:6 ; 3 John 1:12; 3 John 1:12 :24 .Matthew 5:4 .John 16:20 , John 16:22 ).
24.
And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
murmured . The first murmuring after leaving Egypt. Note seven others: Exodus 16:2 ; Exodus 17:2 , Exodus 17:3 ; Numbers 11:31 , Numbers 11:34 ; Numbers 14:2 ; Numbers 16:41 ; Numbers 21:5 .Joshua 9:18 , and compare 1 Corinthians 10:10 .
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,
tree . The Cross is the Divine provision for every trial: See Olney Hymns, i. 13. Jehovah showed it.
He : i.e. Jehovah.
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.
And [He, Jehovah] said . See note on Exodus 4:3 . diligently hearken. Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ). Hebrew "if an hearkening thou hearken".
the LORD That healeth thee . Jehovah rophe'eka, one of the Jehovah titles. See App-4 .
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.
were. Supply Ellipsis, " they found", instead of "were". Compare Numbers 21:16-18 . The scene at Rephidim (Exodus 17 ) after the thirty-nine years was be-cause they expected God to provide for them still.
twelve . . . threescore . . . ten . See App-10 .