Introduction
‘In that day you will say: “I will praise you, LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defence; he has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. In that day you will say: “Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” Isaiah 12:1-6
Songs Of Praise
Here we read a record of the thanksgiving for salvation the Branch, that is, the Christ, offered.
De Hoff, in his commentary, says the following.
‘This short chapter gives two songs of deliverance which were to be sung when Israel came home from Babylonian captivity. This chapter centres around the theme ‘God in the midst’, God is great a Creator, Redeemer, and Conqueror. God is in the midst of His people, always and everywhere. Their strength and salvation.’
God asked Israel that they testify to the fact that it was Him who had actually brought about their return. The Jews rejoiced when God brought them home from captivity, just as the Christian rejoices over their deliverance from sin, Luke 8:39 / 2 Corinthians 4:15. We need to have joy in our salvation, Psalm 51:12-13.
Under the Old Covenant, sins were remembered over and over again year by year, not absolutely forgiven until the Cross of Jesus Christ, Jeremiah 31:31-35.
If the people will trust God they will be fine but they don’t, they trust Assyria. We all have our Assyrians, those things we trust, whether it be money, family, friends etc, things that we think will take care of us or help us etc.
Hailey, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The last three verses here carry repeated instructions to God’s people of all ages’
1. Give thanks to Jehovah.
2. Call upon his name.
3. Declare his doings among the people.
4. Make mention that his name is exalted.
5. Sing unto Jehovah.
6. God hath done excellent things; let this be known in all the earth.
7. Cry aloud and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great in the midst of thee is the Holy One of Israel.’