Isaiah 12:1

¶ 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.

And in that day {H3117} thou shalt say {H559}, O LORD {H3068}, I will praise {H3034} thee: though thou wast angry {H599} with me, thine anger {H639} is turned away {H7725}, and thou comfortedst {H5162} me.

On that day you will say: "I thank you, ADONAI, because, although you were angry at me, your anger is now turned away; and you are comforting me.

In that day you will say: “O LORD, I will praise You. Although You were angry with me, Your anger has turned away, and You have comforted me.

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 and thou comfortest me.

Isaiah 12:1 is a powerful declaration of praise and thanksgiving, anticipating a future day of salvation and restoration. It marks a profound shift from the themes of judgment prevalent in earlier chapters of Isaiah to one of divine comfort and renewed relationship with God.

Context

This verse opens a short, jubilant hymn of praise (Isaiah 12:1-6) that concludes the first major section of Isaiah's prophecies (chapters 1-12). Following severe warnings of judgment against Judah and surrounding nations (chapters 7-11), chapter 12 serves as a prophetic song of deliverance. The phrase "in that day" points forward to a time of ultimate redemption, often understood as the Messianic era, when God's people will experience full salvation and His righteous rule. It is a response of joy and gratitude for God's faithfulness despite their past transgressions.

Key Themes

  • Divine Anger and Mercy: The verse acknowledges God's righteous anger ("though thou wast angry with me"), which is a consequence of sin and disobedience. However, it quickly pivots to the turning away of that anger and the outpouring of divine comfort. This highlights God's justice balanced with His abundant mercy and faithfulness to His covenant people. Psalm 30:5 similarly speaks of His anger lasting but a moment.
  • Praise and Thanksgiving: The primary response to God's salvation is enthusiastic praise ("O LORD, I will praise thee"). This is not a reluctant acknowledgment but a joyful and heartfelt expression of gratitude for deliverance from distress and the experience of God's renewed favor.
  • Comfort and Restoration: The phrase "thou comfortedst me" signifies God's active intervention to bring solace, healing, and restoration after a period of tribulation or discipline. It underscores God's role as the ultimate source of peace and security for His people, transforming sorrow into joy.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "thine anger is turned away" (shav apheka) literally means "your nose/face has turned back," implying a cessation of displeasure. It conveys a complete reversal of divine wrath, replaced by favor and acceptance. The word for "comfortedst" (tenachameni) comes from the root nacham, which carries the meaning of being sorry, repenting, or comforting. Here, it emphasizes God's tender care and the profound relief He brings to those who have endured His discipline, affirming His commitment to His covenant.

Practical Application

Isaiah 12:1 offers profound hope and encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that even when we experience God's discipline or face difficult circumstances, His ultimate purpose is always our restoration and comfort. This verse calls us to:

  • Acknowledge God's Sovereignty: Recognize that any hardship or correction comes from a loving God, even when it feels like anger or judgment.
  • Embrace His Comfort: Trust that God's anger is temporary for His repentant children, and His comfort is enduring. As 2 Corinthians 1:4 states, He is the "God of all comfort".
  • Respond with Praise: Let our experience of His mercy lead us to heartfelt praise and thanksgiving, even in the midst of past or present challenges. It is a testament to His faithfulness and an anticipation of future glory, where there will be no more sorrow or pain.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 30:5

    For his anger [endureth but] a moment; in his favour [is] life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy [cometh] in the morning.

  • Isaiah 25:1

    ¶ O LORD, thou [art] my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful [things; thy] counsels of old [are] faithfulness [and] truth.

  • Isaiah 54:8

    In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.

  • Hosea 6:1

    ¶ Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.

  • Zechariah 14:9

    And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

  • Isaiah 40:1

    ¶ Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

  • Isaiah 40:2

    Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.
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