Another matter, “then Moses…sang” – that is what is written: “The singers first, then the musicians” (Psalms 68:26). Rabbi Yoḥanan said: The angels sought to recite song before the Holy One blessed be He on that night that Israel crossed the sea, but the Holy One blessed be He did not allow them to do so. He said to them: ‘My legions are in distress, and you are reciting song before Me?’ That is what is written: “One did not approach the other [zeh el zeh] throughout the night” (Exodus 14:20), as it is stated: “One called the other [zeh el zeh] and said: [Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory]” (Isaiah 6:3).
When Israel emerged from the sea, the angels came to precede [Israel with] their song before the Holy One blessed be He. The Holy One blessed be He said to them: ‘Let My children go first.’ That is what is written: “Then [az] Moses…sang [yashir].” “Az shar”8Past tense. is not stated, but rather, “[az yashir],”9Future tense. as the Holy One blessed be He said: ‘Let Moses and the children of Israel sing [yashir] first.’
Likewise David says: “The singers first,” – these are Israel who stood at the sea, as it is written: “Then Moses…sang.” “Then the musicians,” – these are the angels. Why so?10Why did God say that the Israelites should recite their song before the angels recite theirs? The Holy One blessed be He said to the angels: ‘It is not because I am debasing you that I am saying that they will precede you.
Rather, it is so the flesh and blood will recite first, before one of them dies. But you, whenever you seek [to recite song you can, as] you live and endure.’ This is analogous to a king whose son was taken captive and he went and rescued him. The residents of the palace sought to laud the king, and his son sought to laud him.
They said to him: ‘Our master, who should laud you first?’ He said to them: ‘My son, and after that, anyone who seeks to laud me may laud me.’ So too, when Israel departed from Egypt, and the Holy One blessed be He split the sea for them, and the angels were seeking to recite song, the Holy One blessed be He said to them: “Then Moses and the children of Israel will sing” first, and then you.’ That is, “the singers first” – these are Israel, “then the musicians,” – these are the angels.
“In the midst of young women drumming” (Psalms 68:26) – these are the women who drummed in the middle, as it is written: “Miriam the prophetess took […the drum in her hand]” (Exodus 15:20).