There are many ways to praise God, eg: sharing our testimonies, singing songs of praise to express thankfulness, etc. God delights in our praise songs. The context of Exodus 15:1-21 is the Lord’s deliverance of the children of Israel from the bondage of the Egyptians. They expressed their gratitude and thanks through songs of praise. The songs are a reflection and reminder of the circumstances from which God had delivered them from.

1. Praise for the God of deliverance (Exod 15:1-5): The focus of Moses’ song of praise was on the Person and the greatness of God. It was to God that Moses lifted up his voice. It was something very personal to Moses: his personal relationship and reverential familiarity with God (re: Exod 15:2: “… my strength and song… my salvation… my God… my father’s God…”). God takes delight in this. The Person of God is a glorious and great God, a God who reveals Himself to us, and we can know Him personally. The focus of Exodus 15:4-5 is on the power of God. Just as He had delivered the children of Israel, He has also delivered us from the bondage of sin and from the depths of hell. He has given us the victory, and called us His sons and daughters.

2. Praise for the deliverance of God (Exod 15:6-10): The emphasis in Exodus 15:6-10 is on the completeness of God’s deliverance. It describes the manner of God’s deliverance (i.e. how He delivers) and also emphasises God’s might (i.e. how He delivered in unexpected ways). We must always thank God, even for little things or “bad” things. His permissive will allows sufferings. We must look from God’s perspective in His deliverance.

3. Confidence in God’s promises and the future (Exod 15:11-19): In Exodus 15:13, “holy habitation” (a place of abiding or abode) refers to Zion or Jerusalem, and thus the Promised Land. Moses’ confidence was in God’s promises, of things to come. Exodus 15:17-18 refers to the future land and describes the Promised Land as “the mountain,” implying that God’s promise is unmovable and safe. Moses’ song ended with Exodus 15:19 where he reiterated God’s deliverance.

Like Moses, the anchor of our faith must be God, His promises and His Word. We often take a lot of things for granted. Have we taken God for granted?

Exodus 15:20-21 describes Miriam’s dance of joy for God’s glorious victory. Its emphasis is on the delight and praise of God. We have so much to sing about: our glorious hope and great rejoicing. We must be a singing and joyful people.