Vers. 1-21.-One of the first songs in the Bible-the first Jewish song-we may alrrn,st coll it the top-root whence springs the main stem of Jewish psalmody. The art of poetry and instruments of music were no doubt brought from Egypt; the land of slavery was yet the land of science. Such "spoils" were made all the more valuable, and appropriated all the more firmly by consecration (cf. Keble, Christian Year, 3rd Sunday in Lent). All the wealth of the world is at the disposal of God's children-for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof-the problem which they have to solve is how to use it without abusing it (cf. 1 Uor. x. 23-28). Turn to the song itself, and see what lessons it has to teach. Three, stanzas (vers. 1-5, 6---10, 11-18)---each begins with ascription of prai~e to Jehovah; each ends with a. reference to Jehovah's treatment of his foes. Notice:- !. PRESENT GRATITUDE. Vers. 1-5.-In the excitement of the great deliverance, words almost fail to express the praise. The name of the deliverer is repeated four times in eight lines. Yet not once is it a "vain repetition." All the difference in the world between using God's name to disguise an empty heart and using it to express the feelings of a full one. Here, "out of the fulness of the heart the mouth speaketh." God loves such praise, the praise of a heart which cannot help praising. Some try to praise because they think God expects it of them ; their hearts a.re like dry wells whilst yet, out of supposed respect to God, they keep on working the pump-handle! Fill the heart first and all such artificial efforts will be needless; the full heart is a springing well. "Bow fi}t?" By letting the thought of God's great mercies pierce through to the heart's deeps. If the thought of God and of his deeds comes home to us, our praise will soon flow forth freely. II. PAST MERCIES THE CAUSE OF PRESENT GRATITUDE. Vers. 6---10.-'l'his is what called forth the praise. All real, all genuine. Moses is not sending up his song to a "possible" God, but to one whom he believes in utterly as a living, present, powerful ruler. Notice-I. The reality of the enemy. No doubt about the tyranny in Egypt. Brickfields and scourges had left their mark upon the memory. No doubt either as to the late danger (ver. 9). ·'1.'he exasperated pursuers determined to repossess their prey. 2. The reality of the deliverance. Where were the pursuers now ? The wreckage drifting within sight marked the spot where they had sunk for ever! 3. The reality of the deliverer. No doubt as to his existence-no doubt as to his goodnes&---in face of auch overwhelming evidence. We also, if we would but realise it, have been as truly delivered from dangers just as real. If we but half believe in God, and offer him only a make-shift praise, it is not because he has done less for us; it is because we think less on the meaning of his mercies. III. PAST MERCIES THE PLEDGE OF FUTURE TBIDMPHS. Vers. 11-18.-Moses was confident a.bout the future because he had no doubt about the past. He was prepared to go "from strength to strength," because he could start from a strong position. From wha.; God has done, we may rightly infer what he will do. If he has ma,le a way for his people through ·the sea. of waters, he will also make a. way for them through. yet stormier and more perilous seas (ver. 16). The•first deliverance is a pledge and. prophecy of all future deliverances. Thus the song of Moses, strong in a present con- fidence, firmly based upon past mercies, finds its outcome in a good hope, inspiring men along the path of progress. If we would sing the song as it should be sung, we must learn from memory to praise truly ; and true praise will soon quicken hope. 'l'o live for the future we must live upon the past. The song of the Lamb, the song whirh specially expresses the full satisfaction ofall our hopes, can only be sung by those who have sung first this other song; the song which still feeds hope at the same time that it expresses gra.titude.-G.
Vers. 1, 2.-The sacrifice of praise. I. THE PLACE OF PRAISE. The first provision for God's ransomed is a song. God's hand must be recognised in the mercy, other- wise its blessing is missed. The place bright with God's goodness is meant to be a meeting-place between the soul and himself. II. 'l'HE REASONS FOB PRAISE. 1. The greatness of God's deed. The chariots and t.he horses had been the reliance of Egypt-and the terror of Israel; and" the horse and his rider " had God cast in the sea. 2. He who had been their strength and their oung had become their salvation. Their confidence had not been misplaced: he had noC EXODUS-II, C 18 THE DOOK OF EXODUS. [cu. xv. 22-'.!j.
failed them in their need. 3. The individualising love of God: he is "my God." God had appeared for each: not one had been lost. 4. The glory of God's past deeds-he was their fathers' God. This was but one of many like judgments and deliverances, and their song was only swelling the mighty chorus of God's unending praise. III. THE RESOLVES OF PRAlSE. 1. They will prepare a habitation for God. It is the work of God's people in every age to prepare a dwelling-place for him where his character is made known, his voice heard, and his love and fear shed abroad. 2. 'l'o exalt God's fame. He was their fathers' God, and that was a call to make ·him known. He had given a fuller revelation of himself than even this great mercy contained. There were purposes and promises in that record which outran this lnercy and them- selves. Our praise must ever add." these are but part of his ways," and exalt God as the world's refuge and help.-U.
Vers. 3-21.-The resuUs of llel,iverance f,o G<Js peofh. I. THE KNOWLEDGE OF TBB 11:ARVELLOUSKESS OF Gon's POWER (3-12). 1. The r.iight of Egypt, when measured with the strength of God, was utter vanity (4, 5). The Lord's right hand had dashed in pw:es the enemy. What can make the heart afraid which knows the power of Goel? 2. The deadly malice of Egypt was extinguished in a moment like a spark beneath the heel. The picture of the foe's deadly purpose (9) set side by side with God's deed: "Thou didst blow with thy wind-they sank as lead in the mighty waters." II. CoKFIDENCE FOR THE O?.'WARD WAY. 1. In his mercy and strength God will lead them to the rest he has promised (13). 2. 'l'his deliverance will fight for them (14---16). 'l'he heart of their foes will die within them. And when led into their land this fear of the Lc:-d will be a wall between them and the nations round about. They shall not only be led in, but pla.nted there in undisturbed security (17). 3. God will, as now, triumph through all the ages, and accomplish, no matter how his people may fear and his enemies may vaunt them.selves. all his righteous will. (18).-U