The first part of the verse, of course, is the narrative introduction to the song, which begins at the second line. Then is not the usual prefix waw but is a separate word that marks the next event to occur. Moses and the people of Israel, literally “sons of Israel,” are identified as the ones who sang the following song. Sang this song to the LORD is literally “sang this song to Yahweh and they said.” An additional word, saying, functions like a quotation mark, introducing the words of the song. Since this is the first verse of a new chapter, it will be helpful to connect it with the content of the previous chapter; for example, “After the LORD destroyed the Egyptians in the Sea, Moses and the Israelites sang….”

The first two lines of the song are like a call to worship, or introit. The same words are repeated in the Song of Miriam in verse 21. I will sing to the LORD uses a form that suggests determination. One may also say “Let me sing to Yahweh.” For he has triumphed gloriously is literally “being high he is high,” or “he is very high.” This may be understood either as “he is highly exalted” (New American Standard Bible, Translator’s Old Testament) or as “he has risen up in triumph” (Revised English Bible). Most translations prefer the second meaning, as in Good News Translation “he has won a glorious victory,” or in Contemporary English Version “for his great victory.” In some languages this will be expressed as “because he completely destroyed the Egyptians.” However, in a number of languages “victory” will be translated as “defeating enemies.” In such cases one may express for he has triumphed gloriously as “for he has completely defeated his enemies [or, those that hate him].”

The horse and his rider uses the singular to represent all “the horses and their riders” (Good News Translation). Rider is the participle of the verb “to ride,” but some read it as “chariot” (New American Bible, Durham) by changing just one vowel. (See the Revised Standard Version footnote.) However, it is better to follow Good News Translation and say “horses and riders.” He has thrown into the sea uses a verb that is found only here and in Jer 4.29, where it refers to an “archer” as one who “shoots” an arrow. So several translations use the more descriptive word “hurled” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Revised English Bible, New International Version). Translators may therefore say something like “He hurled the horses and the men riding on them into the sea.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .