John Calvin Commentary Exodus 15:13

"Thou in thy lovingkindness hast led the people that thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them in thy strength to thy holy habitation." — Exodus 15:13 (ASV)

Thou in thy mercy hast led them forth.¹⁶⁴ The verb in Hebrew is indeed in the past tense; but, since it is plain from the context that their hope for what was to come was founded on God’s former mercies, I have preferred making the meaning clearer by translating it in the future.¹⁶⁵

Moses, therefore, exhorts the people to proceed to their promised land boldly and joyfully, because God will not forsake His work in the middle of it. On this account, he expressly mentions their redemption, as though he had said that the people were not delivered in vain from impending death, but that God, as He had begun, would be their constant guide. David uses the same argument (Psalms 31:5):

Into thine hand I commit my spirit; thou hast redeemed me,
O Lord God of truth.

For, as the beginning of their redemption has proceeded from God’s mere mercy, so he says that for this same reason He will lead them even to their promised inheritance.

But, since the many obstacles might cause them alarm, he at the same time sets before them the strength of God.

For the whole praise is given to God, who had both been freely gracious to His people and asking assistance from no other source, but contented with His own power, had supplied what would have been otherwise incredible.

¹⁶⁴ Wilt lead them forth. — Lat.

¹⁶⁵ “Selon l’usage commun de la langue;” according to the common usage of the language. — Fr..