Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Isaiah 12:1

Clarke's Commentary

CHAPTER XII

Prophetic hymn of praise for the great mercies vouchsafed to

the children of Israel in their deliverance from the great

Babylonish captivity, and for redemption by the Messiah, 1-6.

This hymn seems, by its whole tenor, and by many expressions in it, much better calculated for the use of the Christian Church than for the Jewish, in any circumstances, or at any time that can be assigned. The Jews themselves seem to have applied it to the times of Messiah. On the last day of the feast of tabernacles they fetched water in a golden pitcher from the fountain of Shiloah, springing at the foot of Mount Sion without the city: they brought it through the water-gate into the temple, and poured it, mixed with wine, on the sacrifice as it lay upon the altar, with great rejoicing. They seem to have taken up this custom, for it is not ordained in the law of Moses, as an emblem of future blessings, in allusion to this passage of Isaiah, "Ye shall draw waters with joy from the fountains of salvation," expressions that can hardly be understood of any benefits afforded by the Mosaic dispensation. Our Saviour applied the ceremony, and the intention of it, to himself, and the effusion of the Holy Spirit, promised, and to be given, by him. The sense of the Jews in this matter is plainly shown by the following passage of the Jerusalem Talmud: "Why is it called the place or house of drawing?" (for that was the term for this ceremony, or for the place where the water was taken up) "Because from thence they draw the Holy Spirit; as it is written, And ye shall draw water with joy from the fountains of salvation." See Wolf. Curae Philol. in N.T. on John 7:37; John 7:39. - L. The water is Divine knowledge, says Kimchi, and the wells the teachers of righteousness. The Targum renders this in a very remarkable manner: "Ye shall receive with joy (אולפן חדת ulephan chadath) a new doctrine from the chosen among the righteous." Does not this mean the Gospel, the new covenant? And did not the Targumist speak as a prophet?

NOTES ON CHAP. XII

Verse Isaiah 12:1. Though thou wast angry - "For though thou hast been angry"] The Hebrew phrase, to which the Septuagint and Vulgate have too closely adhered, is exactly the same with that of St. Paul, Romans 6:17: "But thanks be to God, that ye were the slaves of sin; but have obeyed from the heart;" that is, "that whereas, or though, ye were the slaves of sin, yet ye have now obeyed from the heart the doctrine on the model of which ye were formed."

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

The Messiah’s kingdom (11:1-12:6)

A leading theme of this part of the book is that God preserves a remnant out of the destruction of Israel and Judah. Earlier this remnant was likened to the stump of a tree from which springs new life (see 6:13). The remnant is now identified with the royal line of David (son of Jesse) from which comes the Messiah (11:1). The Messiah reverences God and, having the Spirit of God in unlimited measure, knows how to apply God’s wisdom in ruling God’s people. He is the Prince of Peace who governs with perfect love and perfect justice. He is not deceived by outward appearances, and has a particular concern for those who are the victims of injustice and oppression (2-5).
In the Messiah’s kingdom there is no hate, fear, cruelty or danger, but perfect peace and harmony. People truly know God, and therefore they no longer do evil to each other (6-9).
The blessings of the Messiah’s kingdom were foreshadowed in the return of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon. The prophet pictures God’s people coming from many nations to dwell together under the Messiah’s rule (10-12). The tension that once existed between Israel and Judah is now gone, for the two kingdoms are united again. They work together in overpowering any nation that threatens the peace of the messianic kingdom (13-14). In a migration of people likened to the exodus from Egypt, those held in foreign captivity return to their homeland (15-16).
Just as Moses and his people sang a song of praise to God for his deliverance from Egypt, so the returned exiles sing their praise to God for his deliverance from Babylon. Now that he has forgiven them, they have no need to fear. God’s salvation brings with it confidence, strength, refreshment and joy (12:1-3). Those who have received this salvation not only want to praise God, but they also want to tell others of him and all that he has done (4-6).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

"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 from me, and thou comfortest me. 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. Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Give thanks unto Jehovah, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto Jehovah; for he hath done excellent things: let this be known in all the earth. Cry aloud and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great in the midst of thee is the Holy One of Israel."

In 1924 and for some time previously, critical commentators arrogantly rejected this song as having any right to be in Isaiah at all. Typical of what critics were saying at that time is this blunt, unsupported assertion by Peake, "This is a late appendix."Peake's Commentary Series, p. 444. However, by 1937, such assertions had lost their appeal to most scholars. Dummelow, for example, wrote, "Some scholars doubt its Isaianic authorship and date it after the return from the exile."J. R. Dummelow's Commentary, p. 424. What a difference! In 1924 the radical critics were proclaiming their denials as the gospel truth; but in Dummelow's period such denials were relegated to a far lesser status, being merely what "some scholars" alleged.

However, the advance beyond those radical denials so characteristic of the first half of this century is illustrated by this quotation from Payne:

"The prophet seeks to reassure the inhabitants of Zion and instill into his fellow citizens his own confident faith in the Holy One of Israel. With this phrase, so characteristic of Isaiah, the section is brought to an end."The New Layman's Bible Commentary, p. 1780.

Marvelous! Payne writing only recently did not even mention the former position of critics, but completely ignored them as he should have done. We truly believe that, as time passes, discerning commentators will more and more stop wasting their time by repeating, and discussing the allegations of unbelievers. A great many faithful and discerning scholars today are doing that very thing. Homer Hailey should be added to this list already.

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.

All of this adds up to an elaboration of the Biblical injunction, "Let the redeemed of Jehovah say so" (Psalms 107:2).

The Messianic import of the chapter is further indicated by the expression, "With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." On the great day (the last day) of the feast of tabernacles, there was a ceremony connected with drawing water from the Pool of Siloam in a golden pitcher and pouring it upon the sacrifices that day with great rejoicing. Obviously the text in the hymn does not apply to anything ordained in the Law of Moses. And what is said here "can hardly be understood of any benefits provided by the Mosaic dispensation. Our Saviour applied Isaiah's words here to himself and to the effusion of the Holy Spirit" (John 7:37 ff).Robert Lowth's Commentary, p. 218.

This brings us to the conclusion of the first great division of Isaiah's prophecy; and in these brief chapters there has emerged the great majority of the themes that Isaiah will discuss throughout the book, "line upon line, here a little and there a little" as noted in the introduction. Such things as the apostasy of Israel, their rejection as the chosen people, the ruin and captivity of Israel, the return of a remnant, God's judgments upon wicked nations, the salvation of an obedient remnant, the accomplishment of that redemption by the hand of Immanuel (the Messiah), the coming of the Messiah through the Davidic line, the virgin birth of Messiah, the Messiah's character, his endowment, his ability, the nature of God's kingdom, the calling of the Gentiles and their reception into God's fellowship and kingdom along with a remnant of the Jews, etc. etc.

(The End of Division I)

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

And in that day - The day referred to in the previous chapter, the time of the Messiah, when the effects of his reign shall be seen everywhere. The duty of praise, however, is couched in such language as to make it applicable to the event predicted in the former part of the prophecy Isaiah 10:0 - the delivering of the nation from the invasion of Sennacherib, as well as the more glorious event on which the prophet fixed his eye Isaiah 11:0 - the coming and reign of the Messiah. The language of this song of praise would be appropriate to both these events.

Thou shalt say - The address to an individual here, in the term ‘thou,’ is equivalent to “everyone,” meaning that “all” who were thus interested in the divine interposition should say it.

O Lord - O Yahweh - the great author of this interposition.

I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me - If this language is applied to the Jews, and supposed to be used by them in regard to the invasion of Sennacherib, it means, that God suffered their land to be invaded, and to be subjected to calamities, in consequence of their sins (Isaiah 10:6 ff.) If it is supposed to be applied to the time of the Messiah, then it is language which every redeemed sinner may use, that God was angry with him, but that his anger is turned away. As applicable to the redeemed, it is an acknowledgement which they all feel, that they have no claim to his mercy, and that it lays the foundation for unceasing praise that his anger is turned away by the plan of salvation.

Calvin's Commentary on the Bible

1.And thou shalt say in that day. Isaiah now exhorts all the godly to thanksgiving. Yet the exhortation has also this object, that the promise may be more fully believed; for he seals it with that exhortation, that they may be convinced that it is certain, and may not think that they are deluded by unfounded hope, when a form of thanksgiving is now given, and, as it were, put into their mouth; and this would not have been the case, if there had not been just and solid grounds. At the same time, he points out the purpose which the Lord has in view in doing good in his Church. It is, that the remembrance of his name may be extolled; not that he needs our praise, but it is profitable to ourselves. We ought also to consider the honor which he bestows upon us, when he condescends to make use of our services for extolling and spreading the glory of his name, though we are altogether useless and of no value.

Thou shalt say. He addresses the whole people as if he were addressing one man, because it was their duty to be so united as to be one. We also are taught by the same example that we ought to be united together, that there may be one soul and one mouth, (Romans 15:6,) if we desire to have our prayers and thanksgivings accepted by God.

Though thou wast angry with me. The leading thought of this song is, that God, though he was justly offended at his people, yet was satisfied with inflicting a moderate chastisement, and showed that he was willing to be pacified. The particle כי (ki) being sometimes expressive of a cause, some render it, I will praise thee, O Lord, because, having been angry with me, still thou art immediately reconciled; but as it sometimes signifies though, ⁽¹⁹³⁾ I have adopted the rendering which I considered to agree best with this passage.

Believers, therefore, first acknowledge their guilt, and next ascribe it to the mercy of God that they have been freed from their distresses. The words being in the future tense, the following interpretation might also be adopted: — “The temporal chastisement will not prevent thee from having at length compassion on me, and from giving me ground of joy and comfort.” Whichsoever of these views be taken, this sentiment ought to be carefully observed; for as soon as a conviction of God’s anger seizes our minds, it prompts us to despair, and if it be not seasonably counteracted, it will speedily overwhelm us. Satan also tempts us by all methods, and employs every expedient to compel us to despair. We ought, therefore, to be fortified by this doctrine, that, though we feel the anger of the Lord, we may know that it is of short duration, (Psalms 30:5,) and that we shall be comforted as soon as he has chastened us.

When we have been relieved from distresses, let us call to remembrance that our punishment is ended, not because we have paid to the justice of God what we had deserved, but because through his fatherly love he spares our weakness. This confession belongs properly to the godly and elect; for though the chastisements of the godly and ungodly appear to be the same, yet the reasons of them are exceedingly different. The wrath of the Lord against the ungodly is perpetual, and the chastisements which are inflicted on them are forerunners of everlasting destruction: no alleviation or consolation is promised to them. But the godly feel that the wrath of God is of short duration, and encourage their hearts by hope and confidence; for they know that God will be gracious to them, since he has declared that he punishes their sins for no other reason than to train them to repentance, that they may not perish along with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:32.)

(193) Lowth remarks that the Hebrew phrase is exactly the same with what we find in Romans 6:17. But thanks be to God that ye were the slaves of sin, but have obeyed from the heart; that is, that whereas, or though ye were the slaves of sin; yet ye have now obeyed from the heart the doctrine on the model of which ye were formed. “For thou wast angry. That is, whereas thou wast angry, now hast thou forgiven and comforted me.” — Stock.

^FT185 He also is become my salvation. — Eng. Ver.

^FT186 In the margin he adds, “or, of salvation. ”

^FT187 Call upon his name, (or, Proclaim his name.) — Eng Ver.

^FT188 Declare his doings among the people. — Eng. Ver.

Smith's Bible Commentary

Chapter 12

And in that day ( Isaiah 12:1 ).

This day of the Lord when He returns and establishes His kingdom.

thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me ( Isaiah 12:1 ).

This is, of course, the declaration of Israel who had been dispersed in the anger of the Lord. And now as they are returning, they're returning to God, they shall look upon Him whom they have pierced and they shall weep over Him as one weeps over their only son that is lost and all. And this beautiful recognition by the nation Israel that Jesus is indeed the true Messiah. And so they will praise the Lord and they will say, "You were angry with us, but now Your anger is turned away and now You are our comfort."

Behold, God is my salvation ( Isaiah 12:2 );

That's the name Joshua or Jesus. The acknowledgment of Jesus. They're acknowledging that, "God is my salvation." Jehoshua, the name of Jesus.

I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he is become my salvation ( Isaiah 12:2 ).

And the word "Jehovah is salvation" is the name Jesus. So it speaks here very clearly of the recognition of Jesus as the Savior, even as we are told, "Behold, He comes with the clouds; every eye shall see Him" ( Revelation 1:7 ). They also which pierced Him shall mourn and all. The recognition that Jesus, Jehovah, is their salvation, is become my salvation; Jehovah Shua.

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation ( Isaiah 12:3 ).

Jesus stood and cried saying to them, "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink" ( John 7:37 ). But they refused to come. And so in Revelation the last chapter, Jesus said, "Let him that is athirst come, and drink of the water of life freely" ( Revelation 22:17 ). In that day they will accept the offer and they will draw with joy the water out of the wells of salvation.

And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD ( Isaiah 12:4 ),

Now that seems to bug a lot of people because it seems to be an indication the person's getting sort of turned on, and some people object to people getting turned on to the Lord. I have a friend who was a pastor here in Santa Ana and he pastored the Northside Church of Christ. He started coming to some Bible studies that we were holding here in Costa Mesa and he really got turned on to the Lord. And because we were always going around, all the kids in the Bible study and all, were always going around just rejoicing in the Lord saying, "Oh, praise the Lord!" And as he began to see the work of God and as God began to work in a vital way in his life, he started saying, "Oh, praise the Lord!" Well, he finally was called before his church board, and one of the orders that the church board gave to him was don't use the phrase "Praise the Lord" anymore. It's undignified. And he was forbidden by his church board. Well, he didn't last long, because when you see God working so much, it's just awfully hard not to say, "Praise the Lord!" when you really see the work of God being accomplished.

There is a magazine, religious magazine that is filled with satire and sarcasm. It's called the Wittenberg Door published down in San Diego area, El Cajon. And these guys are always panning some segment in the body of Christ, and I understand that the latest pan is against the Charismatics. And in one of the descriptions of them, it refers to them as these people are always going around saying, "Praise the Lord!" Trying to sort of put down the exuberance, the joy, the excitement that we experience when we see God really working. Oh, praise the Lord! In that day they're going to say it, and so I don't see any problem of saying it today. When you really...

They're excited because God is working. They're excited because they are taking now the wells of salvation. They're excited because they have discovered that Jesus is the Messiah. Well, I've discovered that He's the Messiah, so I should have the privilege of going ahead and saying it now. Praise the Lord for the glorious salvation that we have through Jesus Christ.

call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the LORD; for he has done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee ( Isaiah 12:4-6 ).

And so this is the glorious acclamation and praise and all that comes when Jesus returns and sets Himself up as the King over the earth. And that whole recognition now as the Lord reigns finally over the earth. As His kingdom has now come and soon His will is to be done here on earth, even as it is in heaven. And we're going to enter in to this glorious new age. Oh, who can't say Praise the Lord to that? When we see the world as God wants it to be. When we dwell together in love. When we dwell together in peace. When we dwell together in just this full openness of love one to another. It's going to be glorious! "

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

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) and blessing (in the Millennium).

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

And in that day thou shalt say,.... The following song of praise; just as Israel did, when they were brought through the Red sea, and saved out of the hands of their enemies; to which there are several allusions and references in it; that deliverance being typical of salvation by Christ; the Gospel day, or the times of the Gospel, are here meant:

O Lord, I will praise thee; or "confess thee"; to be my Lord, Redeemer, and Saviour, my Husband, Head, and King; or "confess to thee" q, my sins and transgressions, and unworthiness to receive any favour from thee, and gratefully acknowledge all the favours bestowed upon me:

though thou wast angry with me; as it appeared to the church, and according to her apprehensions of things, though not in reality, or strictly or properly speaking; for anger is not to be ascribed to God; but it is a speaking after the manner of men; and the Lord seems to be angry when he hides his face from his people, when he refuses to hear their cries, when he afflicts them, and continues his hand upon them, and when he lets in a sense of wrath into their consciences:

thine anger is turned away; he granting his gracious presence; taking off his afflicting hand; manifesting his love, particularly his pardoning grace and mercy; peace and reconciliation being made by the blood of Christ, and justice satisfied, the effects of resentment and displeasure cease:

and thou comfortedst me; by shedding abroad his love in her heart; by discovering the free and full forgiveness of sin; by lifting up the light of his countenance; by an application of precious promises; and by means of the word and ordinances, through the influence of the blessed Spirit as a comforter; who leads in this way for comfort to the person, blood, righteousness, sacrifice, and fulness of Christ, and comforts with these, by applying them, and showing interest in them. The Targum is,

"and thou shalt say at that time, I will confess before the Lord; for that I have sinned before thee, thine anger is upon me; but when I am turned to the law, thine anger will turn from me, and thou wilt have mercy on me;''

or rather turned to Christ, and embrace his Gospel, which is the only way to have comfort.

q אודך "confitebor tibi", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus.

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      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.

      This is the former part of the hymn of praise which is prepared for the use of the church, of the Jewish church when God would work great deliverances for them, and of the Christian church when the kingdom of the Messiah should be set up in the world in despite of the opposition of the powers of darkness: In that day thou shalt say, O Lord! I will praise thee. The scattered church, being united into one body, shall, as one man, with one mind and one mouth, thus praise God, who is one and his name one. In that day, when the Lord shall do these great things for thee, thou shalt say, O Lord! I will praise thee. That is,

      I. "Thou shalt have cause to say so." The promise is sure, and the blessings contained in it are very rich, and, when they are bestowed, will furnish the church with abundant matter for rejoicing and therefore with abundant matter for thanksgiving. The Old-Testament prophecies of gospel times are often expressed by the joy and praise that shall then be excited; for the inestimable benefits we enjoy by Jesus Christ require the most elevated and enlarged thanksgivings.

      II. "Thou shalt have a heart to say so." All God's other gifts to his people shall be crowned with this. He will give them grace to ascribe all the glory of them to him, and to speak of them upon all occasions with thankfulness to his praise. Thou shalt say, that is, thou oughtest to say so. In that day, when many are brought home to Jesus Christ and flock to him as doves to their windows, instead of envying the kind reception they find with Christ, as the Jews grudged the favour shown to the Gentiles, thou shalt say, O Lord! I will praise thee. Note, we ought to rejoice in, and give thanks for, the grace of God to others as well as to ourselves.

      1. Believers are here taught to give thanks to God for the turning away of his displeasure from them and the return of his favour to them (Isaiah 12:1; Isaiah 12:1): O Lord! I will praise thee, though thou wast angry with me. Note, Even God's frowns must not put us out of tune for praising him; though he be angry with us, though he slay us, yet we must put our trust in him and give him thanks. God has often just cause to be angry with us, but we have never any reason to be angry with him, nor to speak otherwise than well of him; even when he blames us we must praise him. Thou was angry with us, but thy anger is turned away. Note, (1.) God is sometimes angry with his own people and the fruits of his anger do appear, and they ought to take notice of this, that they may humble themselves under his mighty hand. (2.) Though God may for a time be angry with his people, yet his anger shall at length be turned away; it endures but for a moment, nor will he contend for ever. By Jesus Christ, the root of Jesse, God's anger against mankind was turned away; for he is our peace. (3.) Those whom God is reconciled to he comforts; even the turning away of his anger is a comfort to them; yet that is not all: those that are at peace with God may rejoice in hope of the glory of God,Romans 5:1; Romans 5:2. Nay, God sometimes brings his people into a wilderness that there he may speak comfortably to them,Hosea 2:14. (4.) The turning away of God's anger, and the return of his comforts to us, ought to be the matter of our joyful thankful praises.

      2. They are taught to triumph in God and their interest in him (Isaiah 12:2; Isaiah 12:2): "Behold, and wonder; God is my salvation; not only my Saviour, by whom I am saved, but my salvation, in whom I am safe. I depend upon him as my salvation, for I have found him to be so. He shall have the glory of all the salvations that have been wrought for me, and from him only will I expect the salvations I further need, and not from hills and mountains: and if God be my salvation, if he undertake my eternal salvation, I will trust in him to prepare me for it and preserve me to it. I will trust him with all my temporal concerns, not doubting but he will make all to work for my good. I will be confident, that is, I will be always easy in my own mind." Note, Those that have God for their salvation may enjoy themselves with a holy security and serenity of mind. Let faith in God as our salvation be effectual, (1.) To silence our fears. We must trust, and not be afraid, not be afraid that the God we trust in will fail us; no, there is no danger of that; not be afraid of any creature, though ever so formidable and threatening. Note, Faith in God is a sovereign remedy against disquieting tormenting fears. (2.) To support our hopes. Is the Lord Jehovah our salvation? Then he will be our strength and song. We have work to do and temptations to resist, and we may depend upon him to enable us for both, to strengthen us with all might by his Spirit in the inner man, for he is our strength; his grace is so, and that grace shall be sufficient for us. We have many troubles to undergo, and must expect griefs in a vale of tears; and we may depend upon him to comfort us in all our tribulations, for he is our song; he giveth songs in the night. If we make God our strength, and put our confidence in him, he will be our strength; if we make him our song, and place our comfort in him, he will be our song. Many good Christians have God for their strength who have him not for their song; they walk in darkness: but light is sown for them. And those that have God for their strength ought to make him their song, that is, to give him the glory of it (see Psalms 68:35) and to take to themselves the comfort of it, for he will become their salvation. Observe the title here given to God: Jah, Jehovah. Jah is the contraction of Jehovah, and both signify his eternity and unchangeableness, which are a great comfort to those that depend upon him as their strength and their song. Some make Jah to signify the Son of God made man; he is Jehovah, and in him we may glory as our strength, and song, and salvation.

      3. They are aught to derive comfort to themselves from the love of God and all the tokens of that love (Isaiah 12:3; Isaiah 12:3): "Therefore, because the Lord Jehovah is your strength and song and will be your salvation, you shall draw water with joy." Note, The assurances God has given us of his love, and the experiences we have had of the benefit and comfort of his grace, should greatly encourage our faith in him and our expectations from him: "Out of the wells of salvation in God, who is the fountain of all good to his people, you shall draw water with joy. God's favour shall flow forth to you, and you shall have the comfort of it and make use of the blessed fruits of it." Note, (1.) God's promises revealed, ratified, and given out to us, in his ordinances, are wells of salvation; wells of the Saviour (so some read it), for in them the Saviour and salvation are made known to us and made over to us. (2.) It is our duty by faith to draw water out of these wells, to take to ourselves the benefit and comfort that are treasured up for us in them, as those that acknowledge all our fresh springs to be there and all our fresh streams to be thence, Psalms 87:7. (3.) Water is to be drawn out of the wells of salvation with a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction. It is the will of God that we should rejoice before him and rejoice in him (Deuteronomy 26:11), be joyful in his house of prayer (Isaiah 56:7), and keep his feasts with gladness, Acts 2:46.