“Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
English Standard Version (ESV)
This isn't just a declaration of God's greatness; it's a rhetorical question born from utter astonishment. Moses isn't simply listing God's attributes – "glorious in holiness," "awesome in glorious deeds" – he's overwhelmed by them, so much so that he can only exclaim "Who is like you?" as if to say, "Can you even comprehend this?"
“Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is the climactic declaration within a triumphant song sung by Israel immediately after God’s miraculous deliverance from the Egyptian army at the Red Sea. The preceding verses describe God's powerful intervention, drowning Pharaoh's chariots and soldiers, while Israel crossed on dry land. The song thus builds to this powerful statement of God's unparalleled might and unique holiness, contrasting Him with the impotent gods of Egypt.
Moses' song bursts with praise for God's unparalleled glory. But what does 'glorious in holiness' truly mean, and why is it central to God's identity?
When Moses exclaims, 'Who is like you, O LORD, glorious in holiness?', he's not just saying God is very holy. He's declaring God's holiness is fundamentally different from anything else.
A Divine Attribute
This isn't just about God being 'good.' It's about His unique, radiant purity that makes Him absolutely incomparable.
The song celebrates God's 'awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders.' What kind of wonders are these, and why do they evoke such awe?
The liberation of Israel from Egypt and the destruction of the Egyptian army were not just powerful events; they were divine interventions that shook the cosmos.
God's Miraculous Power
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Understand the original words
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Moses, signifying His self-existence, eternity, and faithfulness to His people. It is the holiest name of God in the Old Testament.
qodesh · Hebrew Noun
A state of moral perfection, purity, and absolute separation from all that is common, sinful, or profane. It denotes God’s transcendence and His complete 'otherness' from His creation.
pela' · Hebrew Noun
Acts of power that evoke reverence, shock, or astonishment; specifically referring to God's supernatural interventions in history to rescue His people or judge His enemies.
This song of praise, sung immediately after the miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea, echoes the awe and wonder of a people who had just witnessed their God utterly dismantle the power of Egypt and its pantheon. It's a foundational declaration of Yahweh's singular majesty and power, spoken directly in the context of a world dominated by idol worship.
c. 15th Century BC— this verse
Israelite Exodus from Egypt
The central event of the Exodus, where God miraculously delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, culminating in the parting and subsequent destruction of the Red Sea.
c. 15th Century BC
Destruction of Pharaoh's Army
God's divine intervention at the Red Sea annihilated Pharaoh's pursuing army, a decisive act that secured Israel's freedom and demonstrated God's supreme power over the Egyptian gods.
c. 15th Century BC
Wilderness Journey Begins
Following the Red Sea miracle, the Israelites embarked on their journey into the Sinai wilderness, facing numerous challenges that would continue to test their faith and reveal God's provision.
c. 15th Century BC
Covenant at Mount Sinai
God established His covenant with the newly freed Israelites at Mount Sinai, giving them the Law and further revealing His character and expectations.
This Psalm directly echoes the sentiment of Exodus 15:11, asking 'There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours,' underscoring the uniqueness of God's power and actions.
Isaiah 40:25-26Isaiah contrasts the incomparable greatness of God with the created order, urging people to look to Him who made all things, similar to how Moses emphasizes God's unique power after His mighty acts at the Red Sea.
Jeremiah 10:6-7This passage directly addresses the futility of idols by comparing them to God's unmatched glory and power, aligning with the theme of Exodus 15:11 where God's supremacy over other 'gods' is proclaimed.
Revelation 15:3-4This New Testament passage speaks of the 'song of Moses' and the 'song of the Lamb,' directly referencing the victory celebrated in Exodus 15 and reiterating God's unmatched greatness and the awesome nature of His deeds.
gillExodus 15:11: "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, O Lord, among the gods?.... For the perfections of his nature, for the blessings of his goodness, and for the works of his hands; and especially for the greatness and excellency of his power, seen in the salvation of his people, and the ruin of their enemies: there is none like him "among the mighty ones", as it may be rendered; among t…
cambridgeExodus 15:11: "Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?"
11 . No god is comparable to Jehovah, whether among the gods of Egypt or those of any other country. Cf. Exodus 18:11 ; Psalm 71:19 c, Psalm 77:13 , Psalm 86:8 , Psalm 89:6 ; Psalm 89:8 , Psalm 95:3 , Psalm 96:4 , Psalm 97:9 ; Jeremiah 10:6 . glorious ( v. 6) in holiness ] i.e. in loftiness, greatness, unapproachableness,—in a word in all the transcendent att…
This isn't just a declaration of God's greatness; it's a rhetorical question born from utter astonishment. Moses isn't simply listing God's attributes – "glorious in holiness," "awesome in glorious deeds" – he's overwhelmed by them, so much so that he can only exclaim "Who is like you?" as if to say, "Can you even comprehend this?"
This verse is the climactic declaration within a triumphant song sung by Israel immediately after God’s miraculous deliverance from the Egyptian army at the Red Sea. The preceding verses describe God's powerful intervention, drowning Pharaoh's chariots and soldiers, while Israel crossed on dry land. The song thus builds to this powerful statement of God's unparalleled might and unique holiness, contrasting Him with the impotent gods of Egypt.
This verse is the climactic declaration within a triumphant song sung by Israel immediately after God’s miraculous deliverance from the Egyptian army at the Red Sea. The preceding verses describe God's powerful intervention, drowning Pharaoh's chariots and soldiers, while Israel crossed on dry land. The song thus builds to this powerful statement of God's unparalleled might and unique holiness, contrasting Him with the impotent gods of Egypt.
"“Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?" — This isn't just a declaration of God's greatness; it's a rhetorical question born from utter astonishment. Moses isn't simply listing God's attributes – "glorious in holiness," "awesome in glorious d…
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Last reviewed October 2026