Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 12

Introduction

Now the scene shifts, and the prophet addresses the ingathered redeemed ones. Messiah receives joyful homage, as did Jehovah at the Red Sea redemption and deliverance.

I will praise thee Literally, confess unto thee.

Thou wast angry The contrast from a sense of wrath to that of peace and joy is noticed. Anger now is passed, and comfort from Jehovah is experienced.

Verse 2

2. I will… not be afraid The reason given is, The Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song. In the Hebrew it is, Jah Jehovah. The word “Jah” is prefixed to intensify, to denote the extraordinary. It is but a fragment of Jehovah, and, according to Furst, simply serves this office for it. Used again by Isaiah only at Isaiah 26:4. The meaning is, The very great Jehovah is my song. Exodus 6:3.

Verse 3

3. Draw water What gift so welcome, so precious, after experience in the Desert of Sinai?

Wells of salvation The inexhaustible riches of the Holy Spirit so the figure clearly means; so the ancient Jews applied it. Water, wells of water, or fountains, rivers, are terms indisputably used in the Old Testament for the satisfying gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Verse 4

4. In that day The wonderful day is the day of the glorious Gospel and its wholesome truths; its peace and the heaven it brings.

Verse 5

5. Sing unto the Lord Praise Jehovah by singing, perhaps with instruments, is intended. It is the same as in Exodus 15:1.

Verse 6

6. In the midst of thee To have God’s dwelling in the midst of his people, making and fulfiling his promises without diminution or failure, for evermore, is the prophet’s grandest thought in this closing of his book, very appropriately called the Book of Immanuel.