Sing Your Praise To The Lord

Exodus 15

This week, we intend to start the "narrated" version of our study on prayer: recapping the story line through the chapters, but digging into a specific verse to study obvious prayer.

The narration this time is that the Israelites have walked through the sea while being pursued by Pharaoh's army.  God protected the Israelites and fought for them, eventually crushing Pharaoh's army with the water.

Upon reaching the other side of the sea, and safety. they burst into song - singing their happiness at being alive and the greatness of God.

Then singeth Moses and the sons of Israel this song to Jehovah, and they speak, saying: '

     I sing to Jehovah, 

        For triumphing He hath triumphed; 

    The horse and its rider He hath thrown into the sea.

    My strength and song is Jah, 

        And He is become my salvation: 

    This [is] my God, and I glorify Him; 

        God of my father, and I exalt Him.

    Jehovah [is] a man of battle; 

    Jehovah [is] His name.

    Chariots of Pharaoh and his force He hath cast into the sea;

        And the choice of his captains have sunk in the Red Sea!

    The depths do cover them; 

        They went down into the depths as a stone.

    Thy right hand, O Jehovah, 

        Is become honourable in power;

    Thy right hand, O Jehovah, 

        Doth crush an enemy.

    And in the abundance of Thine excellency Thou throwest down Thy withstanders, 

        Thou sendest forth Thy wrath -- It consumeth them as stubble.

    And by the spirit of Thine anger Have waters been heaped together; 

        Stood as a heap have flowings; 

        Congealed have been depths in the heart of a sea.

    The enemy said, I pursue, I overtake; I apportion spoil; 

        Filled is my soul with them; 

    I draw out my sword; 

        My hand destroyeth them: --

    Thou hast blown with Thy wind The sea hath covered them; 

    They sank as lead in mighty waters.

    Who [is] like Thee among the gods, O Jehovah? 

    Who [is] like Thee -- honourable in holiness -- Fearful in praises -- doing wonders?

    Thou hast stretched out Thy right hand -- Earth swalloweth them!

    Thou hast led forth in Thy kindness The people whom Thou hast redeemed. 

    Thou hast led on in Thy strength Unto Thy holy habitation.

    Peoples have heard, they are troubled; 

        Pain hath seized inhabitants of Philistia.

    Then have chiefs of Edom been troubled: 

        Mighty ones of Moab -- Trembling doth seize them! 

        Melted have all inhabitants of Canaan!

    Fall on them doth terror and dread; 

        By the greatness of Thine arm They are still as a stone, Till Thy people pass over, O Jehovah;     Till the people pass over 

        Whom Thou hast purchased.

    Thou dost bring them in, And dost plant them In a mountain of Thine inheritance, 

        A fixed place for Thy dwelling Thou hast made, O Jehovah;

    A sanctuary, O Lord, 

        Thy hands have established;

    Jehovah reigneth -- to the age, and for ever!'

    For the horse of Pharaoh hath gone in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, 

        and Jehovah turneth back on them the waters of the sea, 

        and the sons of Israel have gone on dry land in the midst of the sea.

And Miriam the inspired one, sister of Aaron, taketh the timbrel in her hand, and all the women go out after her, with timbrels and with choruses;

and Miriam answereth to them: -- 

    `Sing ye to Jehovah, 

         For Triumphing He hath triumphed; 

    The horse and its rider 

        He hath thrown into the sea!'

And so it would seem the people have come to the place where God is foremost in their minds.  But, after three days in the wilderness without water, they begin their murmuring. When they eventually come to a water source in Mirah - they think they're saved - but it gives only bitter water. Their bodies begin to override their spirits, and they demand water from Moses.

For me, the lessons include - don't think the world contains what you need; rely on God to provide; and don't be too quick to switch problems.

And he [Moses] crieth unto Jehovah, and Jehovah sheweth him a tree, and he casteth unto the waters, and the waters become sweet. 

Sometimes we sing to God and other times we cry to God.