The Bible — World English Bible
Isaiah 12
In brief
Isaiah 12 is a short song of praise. The people thank God, whose anger has turned away and who has comforted them, then declare their trust: God is their deliverance, their strength and their salvation. The chapter invites them to draw water with joy from the wells of salvation, then to make God's deeds known among all peoples. It ends with a shout of joy to Zion, because the Holy One of Israel is great in her midst.
The chapter in 3 parts
1In 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.
2Behold, 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.”
3Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
4In 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!
5Sing to Yahweh, for he has done excellent things! Let this be known in all the earth!
6Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion; for the Holy One of Israel is great among you!”
Key verses
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.
The praise begins with a confession: God was angry, then his anger turned away and he comforted. The joy of the chapter is born of forgiveness received, not of an absence of problems.
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.”
God is at once deliverance, strength and the subject of praise. The verse moves from trust (I will not be afraid) to the reason for that trust: he is the one who saved.
Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
The image of water drawn with joy says that salvation is a spring that never runs dry. Jesus will take up this theme of living water in the Gospel of John.
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! Sing to Yahweh, for he has done excellent things! Let this be known in all the earth!
Joy is meant to be passed on: we are to give thanks, call on God's name and make his deeds known to all peoples. The song becomes a testimony.
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Frequently asked questions about Isaiah 12
What does Isaiah 12:3 mean?
The verse says that the people will draw water with joy from the wells of salvation. The image of the well evokes what quenches thirst and never runs dry: God's salvation is a spring that is always available. It already points to the living water that Jesus will offer the Samaritan woman, and that every believer can receive.
What is the message of Isaiah 12?
It is a song of thanksgiving: God has turned away his anger, he saves, he is the strength of his people. The chapter invites us to trust without fear, to joy, to public praise and to witness among the nations. It closes the first great section of the book of Isaiah on a note of hope.
Why does Isaiah 12 speak of God's anger?
Because the joy of the chapter comes from a deliverance: God was angry at sin, then his anger turned away and he comforted. Christians see in this the announcement of the cross, where Jesus bore that judgment. Praise thus flows from forgiveness received.
Articles quoting Isaiah 12
World English Bible translation — public domain.