Songs of Deliverance: Worshiping God’s Faithfulness Together
Summary
Exodus 15 opens with a song—an eruption of praise from Moses and the Israelites after God’s miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea. This moment is a hinge in their story, turning from fear and bondage to awe and freedom. The word “then” marks the transition: after generations of slavery, after nights of crying out, after standing at the edge of the impossible, God made a way. The sea parted, the oppressors were defeated, and the people stood safe on the other side. Their response was not strategy or planning, but song—a song born from the depths of relief, gratitude, and wonder.
This first recorded song in Scripture is more than just words; it is testimony. The Israelites sing what they have seen and experienced. Their worship is not distant or borrowed, but personal: “The Lord is my strength and my defense. He has become my salvation.” True worship springs from our own encounters with God, from the places where He has made a way for us. It is not enough to recount what God did for others; worship becomes alive when we declare who God is to us.
The song also proclaims God’s power and majesty. God is not a passive observer but a warrior who fights for His people. The might of Egypt was shattered by a single act of God’s will. In a world that often tries to tame or sanitize God, this passage reminds us of His unmatched strength and glory. No force can stand against Him.
But the song does not only look back; it looks forward. It trusts in God’s faithfulness to lead His people into the future He has promised. God’s salvation is not just about deliverance from, but deliverance to—a place of belonging, flourishing, and rest in His presence. Our worship should reflect this trust, singing not only of what God has done, but of what He will do.
Singing engages our whole being—heart, body, and spirit. It is a communal act, uniting us as one people with one testimony. When we sing together, we remind ourselves and each other of God’s faithfulness, and we become an unshakable community. Singing is both praise and proclamation, teaching truth to our souls, to the next generation, and to the world. In every season, may we find our song, and may our worship be a living response to the God who delivers, leads, and reigns forever.
Key Takeaways
- Worship is Born from Personal Testimony
True worship is not merely reciting the stories of others, but declaring what God has done in your own life. When you remember the moments God made a way for you—when He delivered, healed, or provided—those become the lyrics of your song. Let your worship be fueled by your lived experiences with God, making it intimate and alive. [06:44]
- God is a Warrior Who Fights for His People
God does not stand at a distance when His people are oppressed or afraid. He steps into the battle, shattering the plans of the enemy with unmatched power and majesty. In times when you feel hemmed in by fear or circumstances, remember that the same God who split the sea for Israel fights for you today. [11:42]
- Worship Looks Forward as Well as Back
God’s salvation is not just about what He has brought you out of, but also about what He is leading you into. Worship is an act of trust, singing over your future even before you see it. Stand between your past deliverance and your future inheritance, and let your song be a declaration of faith in God’s ongoing faithfulness. [15:55]
- Singing Engages the Whole Person and Unites the Community
Singing is not just for the mind, but for the heart, body, and spirit. When we worship with our whole selves—lifting hands, moving, singing aloud—we embed truth deep within us. Singing together as a community knits our hearts, reminds us we are not alone, and forms an unshakable unity that the enemy cannot divide. [19:59]
- Singing is Both Praise and Proclamation
Every line of the Israelites’ song was loaded with truth about God’s character and faithfulness. When we sing, we are not only praising God, but also proclaiming His nature to ourselves, to each other, and to the world. Our songs become declarations that God reigns—now and forever—no matter what powers rise or fall around us. [22:46]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:44] - The Song at the Sea: Setting the Scene
[01:53] - God’s Miraculous Deliverance at the Red Sea
[03:23] - God’s Justice and Remembrance
[04:07] - The Weight of “Then”: Responding to God’s Move
[05:29] - The First Song: Testimony and Worship
[06:44] - Making Worship Personal
[09:28] - Proclaiming God’s Power and Majesty
[11:42] - God as Warrior and Defender
[13:53] - Trusting God’s Faithfulness for the Future
[16:29] - Why Singing? Engaging the Whole Person
[19:59] - Singing as a Communal Act
[21:34] - Barriers to Worship and the Enemy’s Tactics
[22:46] - Singing as Praise and Proclamation
[24:50] - Responding to God’s Move: Find Your Song
[26:45] - Invitation to Worship and Closing Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Exodus 15 – The Song of Deliverance
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### Bible Reading
- Exodus 15:1-21
(The Song of Moses and Miriam after the crossing of the Red Sea)
- Psalm 96:1-3
("Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth...")
- Colossians 3:16
("Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs...")
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### Observation Questions
1. In Exodus 15:1-2, what reasons do Moses and the Israelites give for singing to the Lord? What specific things do they say about God? [06:13]
2. According to the sermon, what is significant about the word “then” at the start of Exodus 15? How does it connect to what happened before? [01:03]
3. In verses 3-11 of Exodus 15, how is God described? What images or actions are used to show His power? [09:28]
4. What did Miriam and the women do in response to God’s deliverance, and how did they express their worship? (Exodus 15:20-21) [17:20]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says that true worship is born from personal testimony, not just repeating someone else’s story. Why is it important for worship to be personal? How does this change the way we sing or pray? [06:44]
2. God is called a “warrior” who fights for His people. What does this teach us about God’s character, especially when we feel powerless or afraid? [11:42]
3. The song in Exodus 15 looks both backward (to what God has done) and forward (to what He will do). Why is it important for worship to include both remembering and trusting? [15:55]
4. The sermon mentions that singing is both praise and proclamation. How does singing together as a community shape our faith and the faith of others? [22:46]
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### Application Questions
1. The Israelites sang about what God had done for them personally. Can you think of a time when God “made a way” for you? How could you turn that experience into a song or prayer of worship? [06:44]
2. The sermon challenges us not to let worship become just repeating words. When you sing at church, do you usually connect the lyrics to your own story? What could help you make worship more personal and meaningful? [07:29]
3. God is described as a warrior who fights for His people. Are there areas in your life right now where you need to trust God to fight for you? What would it look like to bring those fears to Him in worship? [13:38]
4. The song in Exodus 15 also looks forward, trusting God for the future. Is there something you are waiting for or hoping God will do? How can you express trust in God for what you haven’t seen yet? [15:55]
5. The sermon talks about engaging our whole selves in worship—heart, body, and spirit. Are there ways you could step out of your comfort zone in worship (like lifting hands, singing louder, or even dancing)? What holds you back? [19:59]
6. Singing together unites the community. Have you ever felt more connected to others through worship? How can you encourage unity in your small group or church through singing and shared testimony? [20:38]
7. The enemy tries to silence our worship through fear, distraction, or division. What is one practical step you can take this week to resist those barriers and make worship a priority? [22:02]
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Closing Invitation:
Take a moment to share a song, verse, or personal story that has been meaningful in your journey with God. If you don’t have a “song” yet, consider using Exodus 15 or a favorite worship song as your prayer this week. [26:45]
Devotional
Day 1: Worship as Testimony: Singing from Personal Experience
Worship is not just about repeating words or singing songs written by others; it is about letting your own story with God fuel your praise. When you remember the moments God made a way for you, when He delivered you from what seemed impossible, your worship becomes alive and deeply personal. The Israelites sang on the shores of the Red Sea because they had seen God’s power with their own eyes—their testimony became the lyrics of their song. In the same way, your worship is most powerful when it springs from your lived experience of God’s faithfulness and deliverance. Let your gratitude and awe become a song that rises from your heart, testifying to what God has done in your life. [07:44]
Exodus 15:1-2 (ESV)
Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying,
“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”
Reflection: What is one specific way God has delivered you or answered your prayers in the past? How can you let that memory shape your worship and gratitude today?
Day 2: Proclaiming God’s Power and Majesty
When we sing, we are not just expressing emotion—we are proclaiming the unmatched power and majesty of God. The Israelites declared that the Lord is a warrior, mighty to save, whose strength shatters the plans of the proud and rescues the oppressed. True worship stands in awe of God’s holiness and glory, recognizing that no force, ruler, or circumstance can stand against Him. As you worship, let your heart be filled with reverence for the God who fights for you, whose voice splits the sea and whose breath scatters armies. This is the God who reigns above all, and He is worthy of your deepest praise. [12:49]
Exodus 15:3-11 (ESV)
The Lord is a man of war;
the Lord is his name.
Pharaoh’s chariots and his host he cast into the sea,
and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea.
The floods covered them;
they went down into the depths like a stone.
Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power,
your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.
In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries;
you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble.
At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up;
the floods stood up in a heap;
the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea.
The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them.
I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.’
You blew with your wind; the sea covered them;
they sank like lead in the mighty waters.
Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
Reflection: Where in your life do you need to remember and proclaim God’s power over your fears or challenges? How can you declare His greatness in that area today?
Day 3: Trusting God’s Faithfulness for the Future
Worship is not only about celebrating what God has done; it is also about trusting Him for what He will do. The song of Moses shifts from recounting past victories to declaring confidence in God’s promises for the future. God’s salvation is not just about deliverance from bondage, but about being led into a place of belonging, flourishing, and rest in His presence. Even when you stand between past deliverance and an uncertain future, you can lift your hands in trust, knowing that God’s unfailing love will guide and plant you where you can thrive. Let your worship today be an act of faith in God’s ongoing faithfulness. [15:55]
Exodus 15:13, 17-18 (ESV)
“You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed;
you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.
You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain,
the place, O Lord, which you have made for your abode,
the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established.
The Lord will reign forever and ever.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God for the future? How can you express that trust in prayer or song today, even before you see the answer?
Day 4: Engaging Your Whole Self in Worship
Singing is more than just words—it is an act that engages your heart, body, and spirit. Worship is meant to involve your whole being, not just your mind. The Israelites danced, lifted their hands, and sang together, expressing their praise with movement and joy. God is worthy of more than just your thoughts; He desires your whole self. Don’t be afraid to express your worship physically—whether through singing, lifting your hands, or even dancing—because these actions help embed the truth of God’s goodness deep within you and unite you with others in praise. [19:44]
Psalm 95:1-2 (ESV)
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
Reflection: What is one physical way you can express your worship to God today—perhaps by singing aloud, lifting your hands, or bowing in prayer? Try it and notice how it shapes your experience of God’s presence.
Day 5: Singing as a Communal Act of Unity and Proclamation
There is power when God’s people sing together—singing unites hearts, builds faith, and proclaims truth to the world. When the Israelites sang as one nation, their collective praise became a testimony of God’s faithfulness and a declaration of His reign. Singing together reminds us that we are part of a family, a movement of faith, and that our unity in worship is a force that cannot be shaken. Every lyric sung together teaches, encourages, and proclaims the unchanging truth of who God is. Let your voice join with others, knowing that your worship strengthens the community and declares God’s glory to all who hear. [23:38]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Reflection: Who can you encourage or join with in worship this week—at church, at home, or with friends? How might singing together strengthen your faith and theirs?
Quotes
There are moments in life so big, so undeniable that the only appropriate response is to sing. Then that word then points us back to the mighty act of God and that had just taken place. You can't really understand chapter 15 without backing up to chapter 14. One of the I would say the greatest miracles ever recorded in scripture has just happened. Not long ago, the Israelites were standing on the other side of the Red Sea. They were caught between the sea and and a mighty army. So, talk about getting caught between a hard place and a rock and and they were filled with fear. They they started crying to the Lord. But God did the miraculous. In in moments when all seems impossible, he makes a way. [00:01:27]
You see the sea parts, walls of water on either side, dry ground beneath their feet, an entire nation walks through a miracle of impossible escape. But God was not finished yet. You you see he he he made a promise when you read Exodus 14 uh uh verse 13. The Egyptians you see today, you will see them no more. And indeed just as their enemies are trying to follow, God steps in, confusion, the the chariots fall apart, the the panic sets in and the Egyptians suddenly realize their Lord, the God is fighting against us. You know, the walls of water come crashing down. The oppressors are drowned. The Israelites stand safe on the other side. They are delivered. [00:02:16]
I want to say to us and remind us that God is a deliverer, but he's also a just God. He sees, he remembers, and in his time, he acts. Perhaps the Lord wanted to deliver them in this way to show them and remind them that during your pain, during your dark moments, I was right there besides you. You probably thought that I did not see you. You probably thought that when your sons were captured and thrown into the sea, uh you know that I wasn't there. To you, it might have felt like it was an eternity for your deliverance or breakthrough to come. But I want to remind you that I saw that and and watching what the Lord had done. [00:03:20]
Instead of fear, they were filled with awe and they put their faith in the Lord. And then now we're in Exodus 15. After fear, you know, after waiting, after stepping out in faith, they saw God's power with their own eyes. Then, you know, after nights of crying out for freedom, then after generations of bondage, slavery, and broken dreams, then after standing at the edge of an impossible sea with enemies closing in on them, then when it seemed like all hope uh was gone, God made a way. He split the waters. He rescued his people. He showed himself faithful, powerful, and good. Then after walking through the walls of water, after seeing their enemies defeated, their hearts could not stay silent. [00:03:57]
Because sometimes you see words are not enough. Sometimes the only thing that can carry the weight of gratitude only thing that can carry the the weight of of relief because you know how God has provided for you because you know the burden that he has lifted or or or the the weight of wonder and awe because of the miracles that you have experienced in your life. The only thing that can express what you have gone through sometimes it is just a song. And right there at the shores of the Red Sea, this is the first recorded song in the Bible. The the first single was dropped right there. This song was not just a mumbling of words. That the more you read it, you know, put it into context, you will realize it was heartfelt. [00:05:04]
You see, they sang what they knew. They sang what they felt. They sang about what they had experienced and and most importantly they focused on God. There's a lot in this that can teach us about how to respond in God's mighty act. The first thing that I want to say to us is that in singing we testify. Look at what verse one and two says. I will sing to the Lord for he is highly exalted both horse and driver. He has hauled into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my defense. He is my salvation. The Israelites were standing on the shore of a miracle and their own eyes had seen the mighty move of God. Their testimony lit with fire of their lit the fire of their worship that the first lines of their song was inspired but by what they had just experienced and the question is what about us? [00:05:54]
Worship that touches heaven is not just repeating words. It's when you stand before God with your own story burning in your chest. When you say, "I have seen you move and and and made a way where there was no way." And and the thing in your mind is what the Lord did for you. You can envision the mountain moving that had to move that had to move in your life or or the way the Lord made a way. Let the memory of what God has done become the words of for your song. And notice how quickly this song gets personal because they say, "The Lord is my strength and my defense. He has become my salvation. He is my God and I will praise him. My father's God and I will exalt him." [00:07:39]
You see, worship is not just about retelling the mighty acts of God in history. It is also recognizing the nearness of God in your story, in your life. It's not enough just for us to say, "God delivered the Israelites." It becomes more powerful when you can say, "God delivered me, too. He He's not just the God of the crowd. He's not just the God of Moses, Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob. He is my God. He is my song. He is my salvation." And this is where worship crosses over from just being corporate to being intimate. From being about what God has done for others to being about who God is to me. The same God who crushed Pharaoh's army, who split the Red Sea, is now standing beside me. [00:08:24]
He's now strengthening me, defending me, and saving me. When God's victories become my personal testimony, my worship comes alive. It It's one thing for you to say, "Look what God did for us," or, "Look what God did for them." It's a level deeper to proclaim, "This is who God is to me." The second thing that we learn from this song is that in singing we proclaim God's power and majesty. And you see this from verse 3 to 11. I'm going to read it. The Lord is a warrior. The Lord is his name. Pharaoh's uh chariots and his army. He has hauled into the sea. You know, the best of Pharaoh's officers are drowned in the Red Sea. The deep waters have covered them. They sung to the depths like a stone. [00:09:07]
Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord, shuttered the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty, you threw down those who opposed you. You unleashed your burning anger. It consumed them like a stubble. By the blast of your nostrils, the waters piled up. The surging waters stood up like a wall. The deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy boasted, "I will pursue. I will overtake them. I I will divide the spoils. I will godge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them." But you blew with your breath and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you? Majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders. [00:09:49]
He steps into the battlefield. He He fights for his sons and daughters with strength that shakes the earth. The the Israelites had nothing. No weapons to defend themselves, no battle plan to escape, no human hope even to cling on to. They were helpless and exposed. And God showed up in power. He fought for them and shuttered the enemy's plans. You see, in a world that often tries to soften or tame or even sanitize God. Or we may look around and even see all the wars and the oppression, the the corruption that is going on in the world. And we wonder who is fighting on behalf of the helpless. And when I read this song, it reminds us that our God is not passive. He is strong. [00:11:00]
He He H He his strength shakes mountain. His voice splits sea. His breath scatters armies. When he rises to defend his people, nothing can stand against him. Pharaoh thought that he was in invincible. Egypt thought that they were untouchable. The superpower of their day. They they were proud and and and arrogant. Thought that they were unstoppable. But with one move, with with one breath, God shattered the might of an emp empire. That's that's majesty for me. That's glory. That is our God, the one who we serve. True worship is standing in awe, trembling at his greatness. You are overwhelmed by his holiness. You you you're just silenced by the sheam weight of who God is. [00:11:48]
And when you read scripture, you see his might. It's realizing that no one, no ruler, no kingdom, no force of darkness can stand in his pre presence. That's why we're saying he has no rival. He has no equal now and forever. God, you reign. It's declaring deep in your bones. There is none like you, God. No one can stand against you. None can even come close. This is beyond power. This is much less glory. A glory that bricks the pride of the proud. A glory that humbles even the highest kings. A glory that that rescues the lowly and lifts up the forgotten. This is the God that we sing to. This is the God that we trust. This is the God that we adore. [00:12:38]
And and when you find yourself standing face to face with the impossible, maybe you find yourself hemmed in by fear, trapped by circumstances that sometimes you feel like they're too big for you. You know, it is the warrior God. It is the defender who who who who does not lose any battle. That that is the God who fought for Israel and that is the same God who fights for you today. One of the lessons that we learn from this is that in singing we trust God's faithfulness. Uh you know verse 13 it says in your unfailing love and and watch what how this turns around. In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. What a powerful song. [00:13:31]
In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. That the nations will hear and tremble. Anguish will greet the people of Felistia. The chiefs of Adam will be terrified. The leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling. The people of Canaan will melt away. Terror and dread will fall on them by the power of your arm. They will be as steel as a stone until your people pass by, Lord. Until the people you bought pass by, you will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance, the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established. This song shifts from just celebrating a past victory to trusting in a future promise. [00:14:08]
Because God's salvation is never just about what he brought you out of. It's also about what he's leading you into. This series is titled Exodus delivered to Dwell. He wasn't just pulling Israel out of Egypt, out of slavery. He was leading them towards something, you know, a land, a home, a future that is soaked in his promises. You see, freedom was not the final destination. Belonging was belonging to him. Flourishing according to his will. Rest was in his presence. Dwelling in the presence of the promises of God was the promise. You know this is the heart of God. He doesn't just tear down what enslaves you. He plants you in the place where you can thrive. [00:14:53]
He doesn't just break the chains. He's establishing legacies. His redemption is not just a one-time act. And you see that all through scripture. It's part of a greater story. He rescues us and then he leads us. He guides us and he plants us where we can flourish. Our singing needs to go beyond thanking God for what you've already seen. It's about trusting him for what you haven't seen yet. It's standing between your past deliverance and your future inheritance and you're lifting your hands and saying, "God, I trust you." Not just for what you did, but for what you're still doing. In singing, we are not just testifying. We are also prophesying. It's singing over your future before even you step into it. [00:15:38]
Singing engages the whole person, heart, body, and and spirit. When you think about the act of worship, singing moves us in ways that mere words sometimes cannot. When you when you read verse 20, you know, we're told that Miriam, you know, uh you remember her, Moses's sister was also one of the worship leaders and and all the women joined her in verse 20. And we're told that Miriam, the prophet, Aaron's sister, you know, took a timber in her hand and all the women followed her with timber rolls and dancing. And and here's where I think we especially the American church have something to learn from our brothers and sisters in the global south. We've gotten pretty good at engaging the mind. [00:17:04]
But when it comes to engaging our whole beings in worship, that's where we've still got some room to grow. In in many other parts of the world, when you think about dancing, shouts, you know, as you shout, you know, lifted hands and and movement, these are not what I would call optional extras that we do only when the worship leader asks us to do. They are essential parts of singing and praise. when people are worshiping that's what they're doing now now I I get it you know some of us are thinking look I can barely clap on beat you know so don't don't ask me to to lift my hands and and and even try to move my feet uh you know this is hear me this is not so you think you can dance you know no one's judging your choreography they are busy trying to figure out what point do they clap and when do they move their feet worship is not a performance [00:17:58]
It's a response to our God. I love when the Psalmist say, "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord." Lifting your hands is a sign of surrender and adoration. Think about it. Bowing your knees is a posture of reverence. These are simple yet powerful ways to call our whole being into the worship of the God who made and redeemed every part of you. So, so let let's not be afraid to loosen up in the presence of the Lord. He is worthy of more than just our thoughts. He is worthy of our whole selves. And here's another thing that as I was thinking about this, I actually believe that's why songs stick with us because we we are engaging with the whole being. [00:18:55]
Singing is deeply communal. There's something powerful about community when it comes to singing. Singing is the sound of hearts that are knit together by just this shared wonder of who God is. They they they lifted their voices. We are told here together a nation united in one song, one testimony. I can only imagine one row of praise. I just imagine the joyful noise that was rising from that place. You I doubt that they were harmonies. I in fact I think they were making this song up even as they were going along. But but they were united in praising the Lord. Singing together reminds us that we are not alone. That we are part of something bigger. that I am part of a family. [00:20:01]
I'm part of a movement of faith. We testify with our unity when we come together. Look what God has done for us. Look what God has been to all of us. And you know what that does is that it inspires our faith when we are singing together. And that makes us an unshakable community. Because when you sing side by side, when we are standing together, you know, with someone through their victories and their valleys, the thing that keeps together, you know, us together rather, is the faithfulness of God and not just our own efforts. You know, that's what brings us together. If you haven't been coming to church, my inspiration is that my hope is that you are inspired to come and worship together with us. [00:20:41]
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