With joy shall ye draw water . The prophet interrupts the song to give a comforting promise. The "salvation" granted to the Church shall be as an inexhaustible well, from which all comers may draw continually. Compare our Lord's promise to the woman of Samaria in John 4:14 . read more
A religion of blessedness. "Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." Religion is not only safety, it is blessedness—the very highest blessedness. We are not to be ever in fear and trembling about "our state," but to remember that "perfect love casteth out fear." A really religious man finds that he cannot do without the gospel as satisfying his entire being. He is not religious because he "ought to be," or must be, to be saved; he is religious because also it is... read more
The joy of Christ's salvation. These words of prophecy must have been peculiarly precious to those who first heard them. They sound very musical to us, but they must seem more melodious still to the Oriental ear. We know that water is an invaluable thing, but it is only they who have lived or traveled in tropical countries that appreciate all that is meant by burning drought or by refreshing streams. And as words gather sweetness and excellency to the ear as they become associated with that... read more
The wells of salvation A very expressive image in a hot country. Wells are treated in contrast with cisterns, which only store the drainage of the ground. Wells are fed from springs and storehouses treasured in the heart of the earth. Inside Carisbrooke Castle is a deep well, which ensured constant supply for the garrison, however closely the castle might be besieged. Salvation is like a well; forth from it ever comes "living water." It is not like a man-made cistern, which only holds a... read more
Declare his doings among the people ; literally, among the peoples (comp. Psalms 9:11 ; Psalms 77:12 ; Psalms 107:22 ; Psalms 118:17 ). It is always regarded as one of man's chief duties to testify of God's goodness to others. Here Israel is called upon to publish God's mercies and great deeds to the Gentiles. His name is exalted . God is in his Name, and his Name expresses his nature. As there is nothing so exalted in all the universe as God, so there is no name so exalted as... read more
God's new name the old one glorified. "Call upon his Name," which is, in Messiah, "Jehovah Jesus," "Immanuel Jesus," or " God with us saving us from our sins." To call upon God's Name is to publicly give him the glory that is his duo. I. THE OLD NAME IS GOD THE PROVIDER . The God who meets and supplies all ordinary human wants. "God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." The God or whom Jacob could say, "He fed me all my life long." The God "in whose hand our breath is, and whose... read more
Exultation and activity. There is a jubilant strain throughout these verses; not, however, without a sense of some sacred duty to be performed. We learn— I. THAT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST MAY WELL SPEAK IN THE ACCENTS OF EXULTATION . The terms of the prophecy do not seem to be satisfied with anything less than Messianic blessings; they fit perfectly the estate to which Christ has called us; they belong to that "kingdom of heaven" of which the Son of man had so much... read more
Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things . This is another quotation, very slightly modified, from the song of Moses, in which these words were part of the refrain ( Exodus 15:1 , Exodus 15:21 ). This is known ; rather, let this be known ; i.e. publish it—noise it abroad. read more
God honored through his mercies. "Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things." A comprehensive term, summing up all that God had done for his people through the long ages, The Hebrew indicates an echo from Exodus 15:1 , "He hath triumphed gloriously." Reviewing God's wondrous workings, we may regard them from three points of view. I. THEY ARE THINGS WHICH WE OUGHT TO ADMIRE . II. THEY ARE THINGS WHICH WE OUGHT TO STUDY . III. THEY ... read more
Get a Bible verse delivered to your inbox every day!
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 12:1-6
A hymn of praise. Some critics say that the language and the tone of thought are so different here from that of Isaiah, that the hymn cannot be from his pen. The theory seems probable enough that a copyist or reader, who beheld with joy a fulfillment of the words in Isaiah 11:15 , Isaiah 11:16 , on the deliverance from the Babylonian exile, supplemented the oracle with these jubilant words." I. THE FULL HEART SEEKS RELIEF IN RELIGIOUS SONG . If burdened with the sense... read more