Isaiah 12: A Song of Salvation
The redeemed sing in that day, thanking God whose anger has turned away, trusting him as their strength, and proclaiming his name to the nations.
Isaiah 12 (WEB)
1 In that day you will say, “I will give thanks to you, Yahweh; for though you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you comfort me.
2 Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Yah, Yahweh, is my strength and song; and he has become my salvation.”
3 Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
4 In that day you will say, “Give thanks to Yahweh! Call on his name. Declare his doings among the peoples. Proclaim that his name is exalted!
5 Sing to Yahweh, for he has done excellent things! Let this be known in all the earth!
6 Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion; for the Holy One of Israel is great in your midst!”
Isaiah 12 (KJV)
1 And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.
2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
5 Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.
6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
Isaiah 12 (ASV)
1 And in that day thou shalt say, I will give thanks unto thee, O Jehovah; for though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away and thou comfortest me.
2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid: for Jehovah, even Jehovah, is my strength and song; and he is become my salvation.
3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
4 And in that day shall ye say, Give thanks unto Jehovah, call upon his name, declare his doings among the peoples, make mention that his name is exalted.
5 Sing unto Jehovah; for he hath done excellent things: let this be known in all the earth.
6 Cry aloud and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great in the midst of thee is the Holy One of Israel.
Summary
After the soaring promise of the Messiah's kingdom, Isaiah gives the people a song to sing in that day. It begins with thanksgiving: though God was angry, his anger has turned away and he now comforts his people. The singer declares that God himself is his salvation, so he will trust and not be afraid, for the LORD is his strength and his song and has become his salvation. With joy the redeemed will draw water from the wells of salvation, an image of refreshment and abundance flowing from God's deliverance. The song then turns outward and upward in praise: give thanks to the LORD, call on his name, make his deeds known among the peoples, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things, and let it be known in all the earth. The closing line calls the inhabitant of Zion to cry aloud and shout for joy, because the Holy One of Israel is great in their midst. This brief, radiant psalm gathers up the salvation promised through the child and the Branch into worship, modeling how a redeemed people respond to the God who saves.
Voices
- The redeemed worshiper — The voice of God's saved people, giving thanks that his anger has turned away and trusting him as strength, song, and salvation.
- Yahweh, God my salvation — The Holy One of Israel who comforts his people, becomes their salvation, and dwells great in their midst, worthy of praise among the nations.
- The inhabitants of Zion — God's gathered people called to cry aloud and shout for joy and to make his exalted name known in all the earth.
Key Verse
Isaiah 12:2 (WEB)
Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Yah, Yahweh, is my strength and song; and he has become my salvation.”
Lessons Learned
- Salvation moves the redeemed to heartfelt thanksgiving (Isaiah 12:1).
- When God is our salvation, fear gives way to trust (Isaiah 12:2).
- God's deliverance brings deep joy, like drawing water from wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3).
- Those who are saved long to make God's name known among the nations (Isaiah 12:4-5).
- Grace turns judgment into thanksgiving. “Though you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you comfort me” (Isaiah 12:1, WEB). The saved sing because wrath has given way to comfort.
- God himself is our salvation. “Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid” (Isaiah 12:2, WEB). When God is our security, fear loses its grip.
- Salvation overflows in joy. “With joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3, WEB). God's deliverance is a deep, refreshing, joyful well.
- Saved people make God known. “Declare his doings among the peoples” (Isaiah 12:4, WEB). True worship cannot stay silent; it proclaims God's name to the nations.
- What has changed for the worshiper between God's anger and his comfort, and why give thanks (12:1)?
- How does trusting God as salvation drive out fear (12:2)?
- What does the image of drawing water from the wells of salvation convey (12:3)?
- Why does the song move from personal thanks to proclaiming God among the nations (12:4-6)?
- How might this song shape the way you respond to God's salvation in your own worship and witness?
- The worshiper had been under God's righteous anger, but now that anger has turned away and given place to comfort (12:1). Thanksgiving flows from realizing that the judgment we deserved has been removed. This anticipates the gospel, where God's wrath is turned away in Christ so that we are comforted.
- When the worshiper can say “God is my salvation,” the basis of security shifts from circumstances to God himself (12:2). Because the LORD is strength and song, there is no need to fear. Help the group see how trusting God's saving character is the antidote to anxiety.
- Wells of salvation picture abundant, life-giving refreshment freely available to the redeemed (12:3). Salvation is not a grim relief but a deep, joyful supply that satisfies. Jesus later speaks of living water that wells up to eternal life (John 4:14; 7:37-38), echoing this joy.
- Personal gratitude naturally overflows into public proclamation; those who taste God's salvation want the whole earth to know his name (12:4-5). Worship that begins with “God is my salvation” ends with “let this be known in all the earth.” True praise is missionary at heart.
- This is a personal-application question. Invite members to reflect on whether their experience of salvation has produced both joyful trust and a desire to make God known. Encourage them, gently, to let thanksgiving turn outward into worship and witness, singing of the God who has become their salvation.