4. Trust in God’s favor ch. 12This psalm of praise concludes the section dealing with Israel’s choice between trusting God or trusting Assyria (Isaiah 7:1 to Isaiah 12:6). It expresses the trust in God that Isaiah’s revelations in this section encouraged. This is a song of redemption that the remnant will sing "in that day" of Messiah’s triumph, but which the prophet anticipated in his own. read more
Isaiah prophesied that on the day Messiah reigned, the remnant who survived the harvesting of Israel would praise Yahweh for ending His discipline of them, and for comforting them. Previously in Isaiah’s prophecy "that day" was one to be dreaded (cf. Isaiah 2:20; Isaiah 3:18; Isaiah 4:1; Isaiah 7:18; Isaiah 7:20-21; Isaiah 7:23), but now it is one to be hoped for. This is the eschatological "day of the Lord" so often referred to by the prophets, that will include judgment (in the Tribulation)... read more
The focus of this song is God Himself. Finally the Israelites express their commitment to trust in Him rather than in other people (cf. Isaiah 8:12 to Isaiah 9:1). They acknowledge Him as their salvation, their strength, and their song (cf. Exodus 15:2; Psalms 118:14), not just as the provider of these blessings. Song is the natural expression of a free spirit. None of these things come apart from Him. Isaiah had tried to get King Ahaz to trust and not fear (Isaiah 7:2-9), but he would not... read more
Water is a rich symbol of salvation, especially to a people who lived in a land as dry as Palestine. God had provided salvation in the form of water for the Israelites during their wilderness march (Exodus 15:27; Exodus 17:1-7). In the future, Israelites could anticipate securing His salvation and sharing it with others, specifically the Gentiles (cf. Psalms 116:13). This verse became a common saying among the Jews and led to a water-drawing ceremony in Jerusalem (cf. John 4:15; John 7:37-38).... read more
In the eschatological day, the remnant will give thanks to Yahweh, pray to Him because of His character revealed in His behavior, and tell the Gentiles about His deeds. They will remind others from all over the world that He is an exalted Person, and will praise Him in song for His excellent actions. read more
Praise and joy come with realizing that Yahweh is salvation (cf. Exodus 15:20-21; Jonah 2:9). The title "the Holy One of Israel" summarizes whom this hymn of praise honors, as well as what this whole section of the book is about. Only Yahweh is the Holy One of Israel! read more
1. The thanksgiving that now follows is the counterpart of the hymn of praise sung after the passage of the Red Sea (Exodus 15), and is partly based upon it. Some scholars doubt its Isaianic authorship and date it after the return from exile.3. Draw water] Under a figure it is indicated that there shall be a continual supply of divine protection and deliverance. Or, if we follow the Talmud, there may be an allusion to the ceremonial of the Feast of Tabernacles, on the last day of which water... read more
The Assyrian Invasion and its SequelThis is one of the finest of Isaiah’s prophecies. The subject is the advance against Jerusalem of the arrogant Assyrian conqueror, who meets with a sudden check and is foiled when his triumph is apparently secure. Then with Jehovah’s interposition for the deliverance of Zion is connected a forecast of the reign of the Messianic king (Isaiah 11:1-10). The occasion to which the prophecy probably refers is Sennacherib’s famous invasion in the reign of Hezekiah,... read more
XII.(1) In that day thou shalt say . . .—The prophet becomes the psalmist of that new Exodus, and the hymn that follows is based upon the type of that in Exodus 15:0, though with less of local and historical colouring. He has been taught that confession must be blended with thanksgiving—that those only can rightly estimate the comfort which God gives who have first felt His wrath. The fact that the prophet appears as a psalmist was a natural result of the training of the schools of the... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 12:6
6. inhabitant of Zion—Hebrew, "inhabitress"; so "daughter of Zion," that is, Zion and its people. in the midst of thee—of Jerusalem literally (Jeremiah 3:17; Ezekiel 48:35; Zephaniah 3:15; Zephaniah 3:17; Zechariah 2:10). read more