Exodus 15:2

The Lord ¹  is my strength and my song, ²  and he has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him, ³  my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

Ge 17:7; Ge 28:21,22; Ex 3:15,16; Ex 4:22; Ex 14:13; Ex 40:34; De 10:21; 2Sa 7:5; 2Sa 22:47; 2Sa 22:51; 1Ki 8:13,27; Ps 18:1,2; Ps 18:46; Ps 22:3; Ps 22:10; Ps 27:1; Ps 28:8; Ps 30:1; Ps 34:3; Ps 59:17; Ps 62:6,7; Ps 68:20; Ps 99:5,9; Ps 109:1; Ps 118:14; Ps 118:28; Ps 132:5; Ps 140:7; Ps 145:1; Isa 12:2; Isa 25:1; Isa 45:17; Isa 49:6; Isa 66:1; Jer 3:23; Jer 31:33; Jer 32:38; Hab 3:17-19; Zec 13:9; Lu 1:77; Lu 2:30; Joh 4:22; Joh 5:23; Ac 4:12; 2Co 5:19; Eph 2:22; Php 2:11; Php 4:13; Col 2:9; Re 5:9-14; Re 15:3; Re 19:1

¹ tn Heb “Yah.” Moses’ poem here uses a short form of the name Yahweh, traditionally rendered in English by “the LORD.”

² tn The word וְזִמְרָת (vÿzimrat) is problematic. It probably had a suffix yod (י) that was accidentally dropped because of the yod (י) on the divine name following. Most scholars posit another meaning for the word. A meaning of “power” fits the line fairly well, forming a hendiadys with strength – “strength and power” becoming “strong power.” Similar lines are in Isa 12:2 and Ps 118:14. Others suggest “protection” or “glory.” However, there is nothing substantially wrong with “my song” in the line – only that it would be a nicer match if it had something to do with strength.

³ tn The word נָוָה (navah) occurs only here. It may mean “beautify, adorn” with praises (see BDB 627 s.v.). See also M. Dahood, “Exodus 15:2: ‘anwehu and Ugaritic snwt,” Bib 59 (1979): 260-61; and M. Klein, “The Targumic Tosefta to Exodus 15:2,” JJS 26 (1975): 61-67; and S. B. Parker, “Exodus 15:2 Again,” VT 21 (1971): 373-79.