The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse uses "Jah," a shortened form of God's name, not just to fit the rhythm but to connect this moment of deliverance with God's eternal, unchanging being—the One who simply is. This isn't just a song about an event, but a profound declaration about the very nature of the God who acted.
The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Immediately following the miraculous parting of the Red Sea and the destruction of Pharaoh's army, Moses and the people of Israel burst into a song of praise. This song isn't just a reaction to a past event; it's a declaration of faith, proclaiming the Lord as their ultimate source of strength and the reason for their deliverance. They affirm their personal relationship with Him, acknowledging Him as their God and the God of their ancestors, vowing to exalt Him.
Have you ever noticed that sometimes God's name is shortened to 'Jah' in Scripture? This isn't just a random abbreviation; it carries profound meaning about who God is.
In this powerful declaration, Moses uses the name 'Jah.' This is the abbreviated form of Yahweh, God's covenant name. It's derived from the Hebrew word for 'to be' or 'to exist.'
The Essence of Being
'Jah' points to God's eternal, self-existent nature. He simply is. He doesn't depend on anything or anyone. He was before all things and will be after all things. This emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and reliability.
A Personal Connection
When Moses says, 'Jah is my strength and my song,' he's not just acknowledging God's power in general. He's proclaiming that this eternal, ever-present God is his personal source of strength and the reason for his joyful song. It’s a declaration that this God who is has become personally involved in his life, providing deliverance.
The song of deliverance speaks not only of what God has done but also of what the people will do in response.
This verse moves from God's action to Israel's response. After acknowledging God as their strength and the reason for their song, they declare He has become their salvation.
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God Becomes Our Salvation
The phrase 'he has become my salvation' signifies a complete deliverance. It wasn't just a momentary rescue, but a transformation that secured their future. For us today, this points to Jesus Christ, who is our ultimate salvation, not just from outward threats but from sin itself.
A Dwelling for the Divine
The latter part of the verse speaks of preparing a 'habitation' for God. While some commentaries discuss this as a literal place like the tabernacle, a deeper meaning emerges. It signifies a desire to honor God, to dwell in His presence, and to live lives that reflect His glory. This isn't about building structures for God, but about making our hearts and lives a place where He is honored and glorified. The best interpretation is that the people would 'glorify' or 'exalt' Him, making Him the center of their lives.
Why does Moses mention 'my father's God'? It connects the present miracle to a long spiritual heritage.
The declaration, 'my father's God,' is incredibly significant. It bridges the gap between generations and grounds the current experience in God's long-standing faithfulness.
God of the Ancestors
Moses is not just claiming God for himself or for the immediate generation that just crossed the Red Sea. He is identifying with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This reminds us that God's covenant faithfulness extends through generations. He is the God who made promises to their forefathers and is now fulfilling them in a spectacular way.
Faith as Inheritance
This phrase emphasizes that faith isn't just a personal decision; it can also be an inheritance passed down. While each person must personally embrace God, the faith of our spiritual ancestors can pave the way and provide a foundation. It calls us to honor the faith of those who came before us, while also being responsible to pass that faith on to the next generation.
An Enduring Covenant
Knowing God is 'my father's God' provides assurance. It means God's character and His promises are consistent. He who was faithful to Abraham will be faithful to Moses and to Israel, and He who was faithful then is faithful to us now.
Understand the original words
yeshu'ah · Hebrew Noun
The act of being delivered or rescued from danger, bondage, or destruction; ultimately, it points to God’s gracious intervention to save His people from sin and its consequences.
yara' · Hebrew Verb
The act of honoring, glorifying, or celebrating God’s character and works, acknowledging His supreme worthiness.
This song isn't just a beautiful poem; it's a declaration made in the immediate aftermath of a world-shattering miracle. The Israelites had just experienced God's power firsthand, escaping an impossible situation. Their words reflect a deep, personal understanding of God as their strength, their song, and their ultimate salvation, directly tied to the recent, terrifying, yet glorious events.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Exodus from Egypt
After centuries of slavery in Egypt, the Israelites are miraculously led out of bondage by God through Moses. This event marks a pivotal moment of liberation and divine intervention.
c. 1446 BC
Crossing of the Red Sea
God parts the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape the pursuing Egyptian army. The Egyptians are subsequently drowned when the waters return, signifying a decisive victory and deliverance.
c. 1446 BC
Giving of the Song of Moses
Immediately following their miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea, Moses and the Israelites sing this powerful song of praise to God, acknowledging His strength and salvation.
c. 1445-1405 BC
Wandering in the Wilderness
The Israelites journey through the Sinai desert for 40 years. During this time, they face challenges and learn to depend entirely on God's provision and guidance.
c. 1405 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Under the leadership of Joshua, the Israelites enter and begin to conquer the Promised Land, fulfilling God's promises to their ancestors.
This passage directly echoes Exodus 15:2, calling God 'my strength' and 'my salvation' and proclaiming a song of praise, showing the enduring nature of this declaration of faith.
Psalm 118:14This psalm also echoes the language of Exodus 15:2, stating 'The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation,' highlighting the theme of God as the source of deliverance and praise.
Philippians 4:13This New Testament verse speaks to the concept of God being our strength, stating 'I can do all things through him who strengthens me,' which aligns with the declaration in Exodus that 'The LORD is my strength.'
John 8:58Jesus' statement, 'Before Abraham was, I Am,' connects to the divine name 'Jah' used in Exodus 15:2 and emphasizes God's eternal existence and salvific power, which underpins the song of praise.
Deuteronomy 4:37This verse explains why Israel would emphasize 'my father's God,' stating that God loved their fathers and chose their offspring after them, providing a theological reason for the generational connection in the song.
gillExodus 15:2: "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 is my strength and song,..... The strength of Moses and the children of Israel against the fears of the Egyptians, and of entrance into the Red sea; who inspired them with courage, and strengthened their faith, neither to fear being destroyed by the one, or drowned in the other; and so in the glory of his nature, and…
cambridgeExodus 15:2: "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."
2 . Yah is my strength and a song ] i.e. the source of my strength and the theme of my song. Yah , the abbreviated form of Yahweh , occurs otherwise in Exodus 17:16 , Isaiah 12:2 (in a citation of the present verse), Exodus 26:4 (post-exilic), Exodus 38:12 (Hezekiah’s song), Song of Solomon 8:6 ; otherwise only in late Psalms…
The verse uses "Jah," a shortened form of God's name, not just to fit the rhythm but to connect this moment of deliverance with God's eternal, unchanging being—the One who simply is. This isn't just a song about an event, but a profound declaration about the very nature of the God who acted.
Immediately following the miraculous parting of the Red Sea and the destruction of Pharaoh's army, Moses and the people of Israel burst into a song of praise. This song isn't just a reaction to a past event; it's a declaration of faith, proclaiming the Lord as their ultimate source of strength and the reason for their deliverance. They affirm their personal relationship with Him, acknowledging Him as their God and the God of their ancestors, vowing to exalt Him.
Immediately following the miraculous parting of the Red Sea and the destruction of Pharaoh's army, Moses and the people of Israel burst into a song of praise. This song isn't just a reaction to a past event; it's a declaration of faith, proclaiming the Lord as their ultimate source of strength and the reason for their deliverance. They affirm their personal relationship with Him, acknowledging Him as their God and the God of their ancestors, vowing to exalt Him.
"The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him." — The verse uses "Jah," a shortened form of God's name, not just to fit the rhythm but to connect this moment of deliverance with God's eternal, unchanging being—the One who simply is. This isn't jus…
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Last reviewed October 2026