Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying, “I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "he has triumphed gloriously" actually carries a sense of God exalting Himself through this victory. It's not just that He won, but that He demonstrably proved His own supreme greatness and power for all to see.
Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying, “I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just moments after escaping the clutches of Pharaoh's army by miraculously crossing the Red Sea on dry land, Moses and the Israelites erupt in a song of praise. This is their immediate reaction to witnessing God's devastating power destroy their pursuers. The song serves as a powerful testament to their deliverance and a declaration of their newfound freedom.
Imagine the Red Sea parting, the waters crashing down on your enemies, and the feeling of absolute freedom washing over you. What's the first thing you'd do?
This isn't just any song; it's the first recorded song of praise in the Bible! Sung immediately after the miraculous escape from Egypt and the destruction of Pharaoh's army, it's a powerful declaration born from a moment of profound deliverance.
What does it mean for God to 'triumph gloriously'? It’s more than just winning; it's about His inherent nature being revealed.
The Hebrew word translated as 'triumphed gloriously' carries a deep sense of God exalting Himself and revealing His supreme majesty. It’s not just an action He took, but a demonstration of His essential character.
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Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God in the Old Testament, revealing His faithfulness and eternal nature to His people. It is the most sacred name, often associated with His redemptive acts.
ga'ah ga'ah · Hebrew Verb
To gain a complete and overwhelming victory, often used in a military or divine context to signify God’s sovereign overcoming of His enemies.
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus from Egypt
After generations of slavery, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, marking a pivotal moment of deliverance.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Crossing of the Red Sea
God miraculously parted the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry land, but then allowed the waters to engulf the pursuing Egyptian army.
c. 1446 BC
Israelites reach Marah
Shortly after crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites found the water at Marah undrinkable, leading to their first significant complaint against Moses and God.
c. 1446 BC
Arrival at Elim
Following the bitter waters of Marah, the Israelites found refreshment at Elim, which had twelve wells and seventy palm trees.
This passage directly alludes to the song in Exodus 15, calling it the 'song of Moses' and linking it to a future victory over evil, highlighting the enduring significance of this initial triumph song.
Psalm 106:11-12This psalm reflects on the Exodus event, specifically mentioning the Israelites singing praise after the Egyptians were drowned, echoing the theme of joyful thanksgiving for God's deliverance.
Isaiah 43:16-17This prophetic passage describes God's power to divide the sea and destroy enemy forces, mirroring the miraculous events at the Red Sea and reinforcing the idea of God's glorious triumph over adversaries.
1 Corinthians 10:1-4The Apostle Paul uses the Exodus event, including the passage through the Red Sea, as a spiritual parallel for Christian baptism and sustenance, underscoring the foundational importance of this salvation event for believers.
gillExodus 15:1: "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."
Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord,.... Which is the first song recorded in Scripture, though no doubt before this time songs of praise were sung to the Lord; the people of God having occasion in all ages more or less to sing his praises. The Jews (n)…
cambridgeExodus 15:1: "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."
1a. Then sang , &c.] cf. Numbers 21:17 . (In Jdg 5:1 the Heb. is simply, And .) 1b. Exordium. The poet bids himself sing (cf. Jdg 5:3 ); and briefly, but forcibly, announces his theme (cf. v. 21). hath triumphed gloriously ] This fine paraphrase is based upon the triumphando magnifi…
The phrase "he has triumphed gloriously" actually carries a sense of God exalting Himself through this victory. It's not just that He won, but that He demonstrably proved His own supreme greatness and power for all to see.
Just moments after escaping the clutches of Pharaoh's army by miraculously crossing the Red Sea on dry land, Moses and the Israelites erupt in a song of praise. This is their immediate reaction to witnessing God's devastating power destroy their pursuers. The song serves as a powerful testament to their deliverance and a declaration of their newfound freedom.
Just moments after escaping the clutches of Pharaoh's army by miraculously crossing the Red Sea on dry land, Moses and the Israelites erupt in a song of praise. This is their immediate reaction to witnessing God's devastating power destroy their pursuers. The song serves as a powerful testament to their deliverance and a declaration of their newfound freedom.
"Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying,
“I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea." — The phrase "he has triumphed gloriously" actually carries a sense of God *exalting Himself* through this victory. It's not just that He won, but that He demonstrably proved His own supreme greatness…
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Last reviewed October 2026