Isaiah 12:1

Thanksgiving Expressed

1 Then you will say on that day, "¹I will give thanks to You, O LORD; For ²although You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, And You comfort me.

Isaiah 12:1 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 12:1

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.

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 (Kdwa) "confitebor tibi", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus.

Isaiah 12:1 In-Context

1 Then you will say on that day, "I will give thanks to You, O LORD ; For although You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, And You comfort me.

2 "Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation."

3 Therefore you will joyously draw water From the springs of salvation.

4 And in that day you will say, "Give thanks to the LORD , call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; Make them remember that His name is exalted."

5 Praise the LORD in song, for He has done excellent things; Let this be known throughout the earth.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 9:1; Isaiah 25:1
• 2. Psalms 30:5; Isaiah 40:1, 2; Isaiah 54:7-10