Following widespread devastation, a profound shift occurs as the dust settles, focusing on the reactions of those left behind. The few who survive the disaster will transition from tragedy to redemption [רש״י, אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם, שטיינזלץ]. Another perspective suggests these survivors are actually the remaining nations of the world [שד״ל]. The exact era of this event is a matter of discussion. The primary approach among commentators is that this looks far ahead to the ultimate future conflict of Gog and Magog [אבן עזרא]. However, others link this to specific historical triumphs, such as the sudden downfall of the Assyrian King Sennacherib [רבי משה הכהן באבן עזרא, מלבי״ם] or the collapse of the Babylonian empire [שד״ל].
Regardless of the specific era, these survivors will lift their voices in a loud, joyous song of praise to God [מצודת ציון]. This outpouring of emotion is a direct response to the revelation of His immense majesty and power. As God defeats their enemies, His ultimate greatness will become undeniable to all [רד״ק, מצודת ציון, מלבי״ם, שד״ל]. Their celebration rings out with a loud, piercing shout of joy, carrying the raw, ringing intensity of a horse's cry [מצודת ציון, אבן עזרא].
The origin of this great shout carries two main interpretations. One approach views it geographically, pointing to the distant west or the islands of the sea. According to this view, the joyful praises will echo from people living in faraway western lands who hear the news of God's greatness [רד״ק, שד״ל, שטיינזלץ], or from sailors traveling on ships in the open ocean [אבן עזרא]. A contrasting line of thought connects this joy back to the Exodus from Egypt, specifically the crossing of the Red Sea. In this historical comparison, the survivors will celebrate with a joy that surpasses even the relief the Israelites felt when the Egyptians drowned [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. They will sing with the exact same intensity of divine revelation and majesty that was displayed when their ancestors emerged from the waters of the Red Sea [מלבי״ם].