often used of God, although no formal
question or prayer preceded; but the very relation itself implies
prayer and asking. It is in this sense that even the ravens are said to
cry to God. It is in this sense that God _answers_ His people before
they cry to Him. He who has nothing, prays by this very circumstance,
even without words, [Pg 265] yea, even without the gestures and posture
of one who is praying. Since, in these remarks, we have already refuted
the arguments which seemed most plausible, we may pass over other
objections which are less to the purpose. There is only the passage
Exod. xv. 21, which requires to be specially noticed, as it is in that
passage that the signification "to sing alternately" is supposed,
beyond any doubt, to be; and many interpreters assume that there is a
verbal reference to it in the passage under consideration. "And then
Miriam answered to them ([Hebrew: lhM], _i.e._, to the men), Sing ye to
the Lord," Moses sings first with the children of Israel, ver. 1,
"and then Miriam the prophetess took, etc., and _answered_." The
signification "to answer," is here quite evident. But, on the other
hand, it appears that that passage has not the slightest relation to
the one under consideration, inasmuch as there is not, in the latter,
any mention of a first choir, to which the second answers.--From what
has been hitherto remarked, it is settled that the translation, "And
she answers thither," is alone admissible. But now, since no _verbal_
question or address has preceded here, the question arises:--Which
address by deeds called forth the answer? To this question an answer is
readily suggested by the reference of [Hebrew: wmh] to the preceding
[Hebrew: mwM]. The address must have come from that place to which the
answer is sent; hence, it can consist only in the giving of the
vineyards, and of the good things of the promised land generally. On
entering into it, she is welcomed by this affectionate address of the
Lord, her husband, and there she answers it. The following words, "As
in the days," etc., show what that is in which the answer consists. If,
at that time, Israel answered the Lord by a song of praise, full of
thanks for the deliverance from Egypt, now also they will answer Him by
a song of praise, for being led into Canaan. If history had given any
report of a hymn of praise sung by Israel when they entered into
Canaan, the prophet would have referred to it; but as it was, he could
only