A canticle differs from a psalm in its biblical location. Psalms form the distinct Book of Psalms (the Psalter) within the Old Testament. Canticles are other scriptural songs or poetic hymns found elsewhere in the Bible, such as in the books of Exodus, Isaiah, or the Gospels (for example, the Magnificat or Benedictus). Both are lyrical praises often used in liturgy, but canticles draw from a broader range of sacred texts.

The Canticle from Exodus 15:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 17-18, known as the Song of the Sea (or Song of Moses and Miriam), is one of the oldest poems in the Bible. Tradition attributes it to Moses immediately after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea (or Sea of Reeds), with Miriam leading the women in a responsive chorus (Exodus 15:20-21). The selected verses form a triumphant hymn celebrating God’s victory over Pharaoh’s army. The antiphon, “Let us sing to the Lord, glorious his triumph,” echoes the opening declaration of God’s glorious exaltation as warrior and saviour.

Scholars widely regard this canticle as archaic Hebrew poetry, with linguistic features suggesting composition in the late twelfth or early eleventh century BC, possibly shortly after the events it describes (around the thirteenth or twelfth century BC). Its style shows parallels with other ancient Near Eastern victory songs, yet it uniquely proclaims faith in Yahweh as the sole sovereign Lord who controls the forces of nature and history. The first part vividly recounts the defeat of the Egyptians: horse and rider hurled into the sea, chariots cast down, and the waters covering the enemy like a stone. It then shifts to praise of God’s right hand, majestic in power, which shatters foes. The latter verses look forward in faith, anticipating God’s guidance of his people to the mountain of inheritance – the holy dwelling he will establish – culminating in the eternal reign of the Lord.

In the Mass of the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night, this canticle holds central significance. The Roman Missal specifies that the third reading (Exodus 14:15–15:1), recounting the passage through the Red Sea, must never be omitted. The canticle follows directly as the responsorial song. This moment bridges the Old Testament salvation history with the New. The crossing of the sea prefigures Christian baptism: just as God delivered Israel from slavery through water, so the Risen Christ delivers humanity from sin and death through the waters of rebirth. The antiphon’s call to sing of glorious triumph resonates with the Resurrection, as the same mighty God who triumphed over Pharaoh now conquers the grave. Sung in the expectant darkness of the Vigil, before the Gloria and the celebration of new life in baptism and Eucharist, the canticle transforms ancient victory into present joy. It reminds the Church that God’s redemptive power remains undimmed, making this night the “mother of all holy vigils” where past deliverance foreshadows the eternal reign of Christ.