Then sang Moses— This is supposed to be the most ancient piece of genuine poetry extant in the world, if, perhaps, we except the Book of Job. The words of Lamech to his wives; the prophecy of Noah concerning his sons; the blessing of Jacob upon the twelve patriarchs, are all, as some learned writers have shewn, composed in regular metre; and therefore may so far be called more ancient pieces of poetry than the present. But this song of Moses has many other characteristics of poetry than mere metre: it abounds with sublime sentiments, lofty and nervous expressions; and, no doubt, was adapted to that sacred music which Miriam and the women sung to it. It is also applied to the true and original end of poetry; the praise of God, and this marvellous doings. There have been various conjectures concerning the metre of this song, but this is not a place to enter into the discussion of that subject. Adopting the ingenious opinions of Bishop Lowth, we refer the reader to his learned Prelections, p. 269, and elsewhere: a work which does honour to our nation, and in which will be found some fine and just criticisms on this song of Moses. We may observe, that, as an allusion is made, in the Book of Revelation, to the plagues of Egypt, in describing the prophetic plagues on the church; so those, who have gotten the victory over the beast, are represented as standing on a sea of glass, with harps in their hands, and singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and of the lamb. Revelation 15:2-3.
I will sing unto the Lord— This was the grand chorus of the song, which was sung by the men and women, (see Exodus 15:21.) and is, as it were, the great theme and subject of it. The song, I apprehend, like many other pieces of sacred poetry, was sung alternately: and it is observable throughout, that the latter clause is exegetical of the former. As, for instance, in this chorus:
I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.