Exodus 15:2 - Strength, Song, and Salvation in Jesus!
Exodus 15:2 - Strength, Song, and Salvation in Jesus!
Exodus 15:2 (NIV) The LORD is my strength and my song; he has
become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him.
TEXT
How judiciously are the members of this sentence arranged! He
who has God for his strength, will have him for his song; and he to
whom Yahwey has become salvation, will exalt his name. (Adam Clarke
Commentary)
STRENGTH: They have work to do, temptations to grapple with,
and afflictions to bear, and are weak in themselves; but he
strengthens them: his grace is their strength.
SONG; They are often in sorrow, upon many accounts, but in
him they have comfort, he is their song;
SALVATION: Sin, and death, and hell, threaten them, but he
is, and will be, their salvation: [Matthew Henry Commentary]
BACKGROUND & OVERVIEW
In the previous chapter we have just read how that complete
victory of Israel over the Egyptians was obtained, here we are told how
it was celebrated; those that were to hold their peace while the
deliverance was in working must not hold their peace now that it was
wrought; ... They expressed their joy in God, and thankfulness to him, by
singing... [Matthew Henry Commentary mod]
These key elements in the psalm sung by Israel in 15:1-21 form
the core of God's future redemptive revelation: (1) the Lord who is
strong has become Israel's salvation (15:2); (2) the Lord is a warrior
(15:3); (3) he is incomparable: (15:11); (4) he would plant Israel in
his inheritance (15:17); and (5) the Lord is an eternal king
(15:18). [New Bible Companion mod]
This first recorded song in Scripture is a pattern for true
worship, for it emphasizes the Lord, who He is, and what He has done for
His people. He saves His people (vv. 1-10), guides them to their
inheritance (vv. 11-13), glorifies His name (vv. 14-17), and reigns forever
(v. 18). Today, let God be your strength, your song, and your
salvation. [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe]
This is the first recorded song in the Bible, significantly
coming after redemption from bondage. Only the Christian has a right to
sing songs of redemption (Ps. 40:1-3). Exodus began with sighing
(2:23), but because of redemption, we now see the nation singing. Note
that this song exalts God, for the Lord is referred to at least
forty-five times in these eighteen verses. Too many songs exalt men instead
of the Person and holy character of God, and His wonderful works of
power. Note the key refrain in v. 2. It is repeated in Ps. 118:14, at
the time the Jews returned from captivity and rebuilt the temple
under Ezra, as well as in Isa. 12:2, referring to that day in the
future when God will restore the nation to their land. See Isa.
11:15-16. Israel sang this song when delivered from Egypt, led by Moses
the prophet and when delivered from Babylon, led by Ezra, a priest.
They will yet sing it when delivered from the Gentile nations, when
they turn to Christ, their king. [Wiersbe Expository Outlines]
This song is the most ancient we know of. It is a holy song, to
the honour of God, to exalt his name, and celebrate his praise,
[Matthew Henry Commentary]
The focus of the song is God himself [NIV SB]
WORD STUDY
The divine name Yahweh ("the LORD") appears ten times. [NIV SB]
The abbreviated form of God's name, Yah, appears here (vs.2) for
the first time in the OT narrative. It is occasionally used in
poetic language on account of the rhythm, [SDA Bible Commentary]
Every man may call the Divine Being his GOD; but only those who
are his children by adoption through grace can call him their
FATHER. This is a privilege which God has given to none but his
children. (Adam Clarke Commentary)
COMMENTARY APPLICATION
Praise extols God's character and His works. It looks to past,
present, and future. [Disciple SB]
Moses is expressing the deepest feeling of the true believer as
he reflects upon the greatness of the Lord's salvation. [Believer's
SB]
Music played an important part in Israel's worship and
celebration. Singing was an expression of love and thanks, and it was a
creative way to pass down oral traditions. Some say this song of Moses is
the oldest recorded song in the world. It was a festive epic poem
celebrating God's victory, lifting the hearts and voices of the people
outward and upward. After having been delivered from great danger, they
sang with joy! [The One Year Bible Companion]
Singing is an important part of the Christian life, for it
enables us to praise God and bear witness to others. Our praise should
come from the Holy Spirit within (Eph. 5:18-20) and be based on
Scripture (Col. 3:16). In this way, we worship Him "in spirit and truth"
(John 4:24). [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe re
Exo. 15]
Psalms and hymns can be great ways to express relief, praise,
and thanks when you have been through trouble. [Life Application
SB]
You and I can decide to fill our homes and our thoughts with
tunes that celebrate what God has done, who He is, and what He will
surely do for us. This is one of the most important things we can do
for our children as well as for our own spiritual growth and peace
of mind. [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]
Life's Rhapsody
The fair-haired composer sat at her piano, working carefully
on her new and, she hoped, finest rhapsody. The work of composing
this piece was not easy; she struggled with the melodies, and the
chords did not seem complete somehow. At the end of the frustrating
day, the tired young woman laid down her pencil and left the
unpolished music on the piano. She sighed as she slowly went to bed,
thinking, It's just not right.
Later that evening, the composer's old, white-haired father
came home and noticed his daughter's work on the piano. Being a
composer himself, he sat down and played through his daughter's rhapsody.
He smiled because he had taught her to love and write music. Then
he took up her pencil and began filling in the missing notes to
complete the full, rich chords his daughter had imagined but was unable
to write. He worked long into the night adding minor strains and
lilting melodies to the music. Finally, with a nod of satisfaction, he
left the piece where he had found it and went to bed.
The next morning the daughter sat down at the piano to begin
polishing her work from the day before. As she played through the
beautiful music, she was amazed at how thrilling it was. She congratulated
herself on producing a much more glorious composition than she had
remembered from the night before. It was, indeed, the finest rhapsody of
her career.
And so it is with life. We compose our lives as we go along,
but the strains of a masterpiece are often hindered by our human
frailty and weakness. Then the Master Composer comes along and fills in
the missing notes. He adds the lilting melodies and minor chords so
that the finished life plays like a symphony. He does not write a new
song; he just enhances and polishes the basic rhapsody we have written
through the years until it is a joy for others to hear.
Thank you, Father, for finishing my song. What more can I
say? Amen [The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter by Mary
Hollingsworth]
MINI-VIDEO DEVOTIONAL BY PASTOR SHAWN BOONSTRA
http://www.itiswritten.com/television#episodes/2295 [A Better
Way To Live By Shawn Boonstra]
