Moses’ older sister Miriam sings a song

Exodus 15:1-21. Miriam and Moses sing a victory song.
Miriam, the elder sister of Moses who was now about 95 years old, rejoiced in the demise of the Egyptian army and the saving of God’s people. She composed a song of victory to God in celebration.
She then lead the women in a dance while she sang to them.
The crossing of the Red Sea turns up in Scripture many times.
Now the Israelites are outside Egyptian control and able to head to where God wants to take them.

Background Reading:

The Songs of Moses and Miriam

Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD:
15:1 Then Moses and the Israelis sang this song to the LORD:

“I’ll sing to the LORD,

for he is highly exalted.

The horse and its rider

he has thrown into the sea.

2 The LORD is my strength and song,

and he has become my salvation.

This is my God and I’ll praise him,

the God of my father and I’ll exalt him.

3 The LORD is a man of war,

the LORD is his name!

4 “Pharaoh’s chariots and his army

he has hurled into the sea;

his best officers sank in the Red Sea.

5 The deep covered them,

they went down into the depths like a rock.

6 Your right hand, LORD, was majestic in strength,

your right hand, LORD, shattered the enemy.

7 In the greatness of your majesty

you broke down your enemies.

You sent forth your anger,

it consumed them like stubble.

8 By the breath of your nostrils

the waters were piled up,

the flowing waters stood up like a hill,

the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.

9 “The enemy said, ‘I’ll pursue them,d I’ll overtake them,

I’ll divide the spoil.

I’ll satisfy my anger on them,

I’ll draw my sword,

and my hand will bring them to ruin.’

10 “You blew with your breath,

and the sea covered them;

they sank like lead in the mighty water.

11 “Who is like you among the gods, LORD?

Who is like you, majestic in holiness,

awesome in splendor, and working wonders?

12 You stretched out your right hand,

and the earth swallowed them.

13 “You have led with your gracious love

this people whom you redeemed.

You have guided them with your strength

to your holy dwelling.

14 “The people heard and they quaked,

anguish has seized the inhabitants of Philistia.

15 Then the chiefs of Edom were terrified,

the nobles of Moab trembled uncontrollably,

and all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away.

16 Dread and fear have fallen on them,

because of the strength of your arm.

They have become silent as a stone,

until your people pass by, LORD,

until this people you acquired pass by.

17 “You will bring them in and plant them

on the mountain of your inheritance.

You have made a place where you will reside, LORD.

Your own hands have established a sanctuary, LORD.

18 The LORD will reign forever and ever.”

19 When the horses of Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen went into the sea, the LORD caused the waters of the sea to come back over them, but the Israelis walked through the middle of the sea on dry land.

The Song of Miriam

20 Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand and went out with all the women behind her with tambourines and dancing. 21 Miriam sang to them,

“Sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted!

The horse and its rider

he has thrown into the sea.”
Exodus 15:1-21


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