Exodus 15:21
And Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Miriam didn't just sing; she answered, her "sing" (the Hebrew word here) suggesting an antiphonal or responsive call. This shows the women joining in, echoing the men's praise and making it a communal, participatory act of worship. It’s not just a solo performance, but a vibrant back-and-forth of joyful adoration.
This verse concludes the epic song of deliverance sung by Moses and the Israelites after God's miraculous parting of the Red Sea and drowning of Pharaoh's army. Miriam, now taking the lead, echoes the men's song, essentially acting as a responsive chorus with the women, celebrating God's mighty victory. This moment highlights the communal and participatory nature of their worship as they transition from immediate peril to profound gratitude and awe.
Have you ever sung a song where different groups sing parts of it back and forth? This ancient song of victory is exactly that!
The text tells us that Miriam answered the men.
Taking Turns with God
This wasn't just a solo performance by Miriam. The word 'answered' suggests a back-and-forth, like a call and response.
This shows us that worship isn't meant to be a one-way street. It's a dynamic conversation with God, where we respond to His mighty deeds with our voices, our instruments, and our whole hearts.
Miriam isn't just any woman; she's a prophetess! What does that tell us about her role in this moment?
Miriam, identified as a prophetess and sister to Moses and Aaron, takes the lead here.
A Woman's Voice in Worship
This is significant! In a time when public leadership roles for women were rare, Miriam is given a prominent place:
Her leadership here isn't about her own authority, but about her being chosen by God to spearhead the women's response to His victory. It highlights that God uses all His people, men and women, to declare His greatness.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to His people, signifying His self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness to His promises.
ga'ah ga'ah · Hebrew Verb
To be lifted up, exalted, or to achieve a complete and decisive victory, often used in Scripture to describe God’s sovereign triumph over His enemies.
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus from Egypt
Following God's intervention through the ten plagues, the Israelites, led by Moses, leave Egypt after centuries of slavery. Pharaoh's army pursues them.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Crossing the Red Sea
God miraculously parts the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. Pharaoh's pursuing army follows them into the parted waters.
c. 1446 BC
Destruction of Pharaoh's Army
As the Israelites reach the other side, God closes the waters of the Red Sea, drowning Pharaoh's entire army and obliterating their horses and chariots.
c. 1446 BC
Song of the Sea
Immediately after their miraculous deliverance, Moses and the Israelites sing a song of praise to God, celebrating His mighty victory. Miriam leads the women in a responsive chorus.
This passage describes women singing and dancing, similar to Miriam and the Israelite women, celebrating a victory of God through Saul and David.
Psalm 149:6This psalm speaks of the saints exalting God with high praises in their songs, reflecting the joyous and triumphant nature of Miriam's song after Israel's deliverance.
Revelation 15:3This future vision describes the victors over the beast singing the 'song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb,' directly linking this ancient song to ultimate triumph in Christ.
Judges 5:1This chapter contains Deborah's song of triumph after a great victory, mirroring the structure and spirit of Miriam's song as a prophetic declaration of God's mighty acts.
cambridgeExodus 15:21: "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."
21 . answered ] The word means (note the ל ), answered antiphonally in song , even if,—as some think, connecting it with the Arab. ghanâ ( Lex. 777a),—it does not mean simply sang (comp. Numbers 21:17 b; and esp. 1 Samuel 18:7 ; 1 Samuel 21:11 ; 1 Samuel 24:5 [where the same word is rendered, ‘sing one to another’]). them ] The pron. is masc., so…
calvinExodus 15:11-21: "Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?"
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.
Introduces eos et plantabis eos in monte haereditatis tuae, in loco quem praeparasti, Jehova, ut sedeas. Sanctuarium, Domine, stabilierunt manus…
Miriam didn't just sing; she answered, her "sing" (the Hebrew word here) suggesting an antiphonal or responsive call. This shows the women joining in, echoing the men's praise and making it a communal, participatory act of worship. It’s not just a solo performance, but a vibrant back-and-forth of joyful adoration.
This verse concludes the epic song of deliverance sung by Moses and the Israelites after God's miraculous parting of the Red Sea and drowning of Pharaoh's army. Miriam, now taking the lead, echoes the men's song, essentially acting as a responsive chorus with the women, celebrating God's mighty victory. This moment highlights the communal and participatory nature of their worship as they transition from immediate peril to profound gratitude and awe.
This verse concludes the epic song of deliverance sung by Moses and the Israelites after God's miraculous parting of the Red Sea and drowning of Pharaoh's army. Miriam, now taking the lead, echoes the men's song, essentially acting as a responsive chorus with the women, celebrating God's mighty victory. This moment highlights the communal and participatory nature of their worship as they transition from immediate peril to profound gratitude and awe.
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This verse isn't just a simple song; it's a declaration of God's absolute power over His enemies. What does that mean for us?
The core of Miriam's song is the stunning declaration of God's power:
Overwhelming Triumph
'He has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.'
This isn't a small win; it's a decisive, overwhelming victory. The mightiest military force of the day – Pharaoh's chariots and soldiers – utterly annihilated.
This song reminds us that no power on earth, however great, can stand against the Lord. It assures us that our God is sovereign and ultimately victorious over all opposition, whether it be empires, circumstances, or even spiritual forces.
"And Miriam sang to them:
“Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”" — Miriam didn't just sing; she *answered*, her "sing" (the Hebrew word here) suggesting an antiphonal or responsive call. This shows the women joining in, echoing the men's praise and making it a commu…