Isaiah 12:1

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 12:1 is a profound declaration of praise and thanksgiving, anticipating a future day of divine salvation and restoration. It marks a pivotal shift from the preceding chapters' themes of judgment and discipline to one of exuberant joy and renewed intimacy with God. The verse encapsulates a deeply personal and communal acknowledgment of God's righteous anger, swiftly followed by the miraculous turning away of that wrath and the outpouring of His comforting presence, eliciting a heartfelt response of adoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 12:1 initiates a short, jubilant hymn (Isaiah 12:1-6) that serves as a climactic conclusion to the first major section of Isaiah's prophecies (chapters 1-12). This hymn provides a stark contrast to the preceding chapters, particularly [Isaiah 7-11](/isaiah/7 "Isaiah 7-11 - Prophecies of Judgment and the Messiah"), which detail severe warnings of judgment against Judah and surrounding nations, interspersed with Messianic prophecies. The phrase "in that day" (Hebrew: _bayôm hahûʼ_) is a recurring prophetic marker in Isaiah, consistently pointing forward to a future eschatological era—often understood as the Messianic age—when God's promises of deliverance and righteous rule will be fully realized. This hymn is the anticipated response of a redeemed people, celebrating God's faithfulness and salvation after experiencing His disciplinary hand. It provides a hopeful resolution to the narrative arc of judgment and promise, setting the stage for the subsequent oracles against the nations in [Isaiah 13](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - Oracle Against Babylon").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah prophesied during the 8th century BCE, a tumultuous period for the Southern Kingdom of Judah, marked by the rising threat of the Assyrian Empire. The people of Judah often vacillated between trust in God and reliance on foreign alliances, leading to spiritual apostasy and social injustice. God's "anger" in the verse reflects the historical consequences of their disobedience, often manifested through national crises and foreign invasions (e.g., the Syro-Ephraimite War in [Isaiah 7](/isaiah/7 "Isaiah 7 - The Syro-Ephraimite War")). Culturally, communal praise and thanksgiving were central to Israelite worship, often expressed through hymns sung in the Temple or during festivals. This verse, therefore, is not merely a private sentiment but a prophetic anticipation of a collective, national outpouring of gratitude, mirroring the psalms of lament and praise that marked their spiritual life. The concept of God's anger turning away would have resonated deeply with a people who had experienced or feared divine judgment, offering hope for restoration and covenant renewal.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several profound theological themes central to Isaiah's message. Firstly, it highlights the **Sovereignty of God's Justice and Mercy**. It acknowledges God's righteous anger ("though thou wast angry with me"), which is a just response to sin and disobedience, yet swiftly pivots to the turning away of that anger and the outpouring of divine comfort. This tension beautifully illustrates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, balancing His justice with His abundant mercy and faithfulness, as seen in [Psalm 30:5](/psalms/30-5 "Psalm 30:5 - Weeping May Last for a Night, But Joy Comes in the Morning"). Secondly, the verse emphasizes **Praise and Thanksgiving as the Proper Response to Salvation**. The declaration "O LORD, I will praise thee" is not a reluctant acknowledgment but a joyful, heartfelt expression of gratitude for deliverance from distress and the experience of God's renewed favor, echoing the call to worship found throughout the Psalms (e.g., [Psalm 100:4](/psalms/100-4 "Psalm 100:4 - Enter His Gates with Thanksgiving")). Finally, it underscores **Divine 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, affirming God's role as the ultimate source of peace and security for His people, transforming sorrow into enduring joy, a theme also explored in [Isaiah 40:1](/isaiah/40-1 "Isaiah 40:1 - Comfort for God's People").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **day (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** From H3117, meaning "a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term)." In this context, "in that day" is a crucial prophetic idiom, signifying a specific, future period of divine intervention and fulfillment, often associated with the Messianic era or the eschatological climax of God's plan. It points to a definitive moment in salvation history, distinct from the present.
* **praise (Hebrew, _yâdâh'_):** From H3034, a primitive root meaning "to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands)." Here, it is used in the favorable sense of expressing gratitude and worship, often with uplifted hands, signifying an open, unreserved declaration of God's goodness and mighty acts. It implies public acknowledgment and celebration.
* **comfortedst (Hebrew, _nâcham'_):** From H5162, a primitive root meaning "properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself)." In this verse, it carries the profound meaning of divine consolation and solace. It speaks of God's tender and compassionate intervention to alleviate distress, bring peace, and restore well-being after a period of suffering or discipline, transforming sorrow into relief and joy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in that day thou shalt say":** This opening clause sets the scene for a future, divinely appointed time. The "day" is not merely a chronological period but a significant epoch in salvation history, when God's redemptive purposes will culminate. The "thou shalt say" indicates a prophetic certainty and a communal, heartfelt response from God's people.
* **"O LORD, I will praise thee":** This is the direct address and the core declaration of the verse. "O LORD" (Yahweh, H3068) emphasizes God's covenant name, highlighting His personal relationship with His people. The resolve to "praise" (yâdâh) signifies a joyful, open, and deliberate act of worship and thanksgiving, acknowledging God's worthiness and His saving acts.
* **"though thou wast angry with me":** This clause provides the crucial backdrop to the praise. It is an honest acknowledgment of past sin and the resultant divine displeasure. God's anger (H599, _ʼânaph_, meaning "to breathe hard, be enraged"; H639, _ʼaph_, meaning "nose/nostril," hence "ire" or "wrath") is depicted as a just and necessary response to the people's unfaithfulness, leading to discipline or tribulation.
* **"thine anger is turned away":** This is the pivotal moment of divine grace. The Hebrew verb "turned away" (H7725, _shûwb_) means "to turn back" or "to return." Here, it signifies a complete reversal of God's disposition from wrath to favor. It implies a cessation of divine judgment and the removal of the consequences of His anger, making way for reconciliation.
* **"and thou comfortedst me":** This final clause expresses the profound outcome of God's turned-away anger. The comfort (H5162, _nâcham_) is not merely the absence of wrath but the active, compassionate presence of God bringing solace, healing, and restoration. It is the experience of divine peace and renewed fellowship after a period of estrangement or hardship.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 12:1 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, where the initial state of God's anger is directly contrasted with the subsequent state of His comfort and the turning away of His wrath. This sharp juxtaposition highlights the dramatic shift in God's disposition towards His people, emphasizing the profound nature of His mercy. The phrase "in that day" functions as a **Prophetic Marker**, signaling a future, divinely ordained time of fulfillment, lending an eschatological dimension to the immediate context. The direct address, "O LORD," is a clear example of **Apostrophe**, where the speaker directly addresses God, creating a sense of intimacy and personal devotion. The imagery of "anger is turned away" uses **Personification** to describe God's wrath as something that can literally "turn," implying a cessation of its active expression and a change in divine posture, leading to reconciliation and peace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 12:1 beautifully encapsulates the core tension and resolution within God's character: His righteous justice and His boundless mercy. It affirms that while God's anger is a legitimate response to sin, it is not His final word for His repentant people. His ultimate desire is to restore and comfort, transforming their sorrow into praise. This dynamic underscores the covenant faithfulness of God, who, even in discipline, prepares the way for reconciliation and a deeper relationship with His chosen ones. The future "day" signifies a time when this divine compassion will be fully manifest, leading to an uninhibited outpouring of gratitude from a people who have experienced the profound turning of His wrath into grace.

* [Psalm 30:5](/psalms/30-5 "Psalm 30:5 - God's Anger is Fleeting, His Favor is for Life")
* [2 Corinthians 1:3-4](/2_corinthians/1-3-4 "2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - The God of All Comfort")
* [Lamentations 3:31-32](/lamentations/3-31-32 "Lamentations 3:31-32 - The Lord's Compassions Never Fail")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 12:1 offers profound hope and a clear call to worship for believers in every generation. It reminds us that even when we experience God's discipline, face difficult circumstances as a consequence of sin, or simply endure the trials of life, His ultimate purpose is always our restoration and comfort. This verse encourages us to confront our own failings honestly, acknowledging that God's "anger" is a just response to sin, but to hold firm to the promise that for those who turn to Him, His wrath is temporary and His comfort is enduring. Our proper response to such divine grace is heartfelt praise and thanksgiving, not just for deliverance from hardship, but for the very character of God who is both just and merciful. It invites us to live in a posture of gratitude, anticipating the full realization of God's comforting presence in our lives and in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life have you experienced God's discipline, and how did that lead to a deeper appreciation for His comfort?**
* **How does the tension between God's anger and His comfort in this verse shape your understanding of His character?**
* **What does it mean for you personally to "praise" the LORD, especially after a period of difficulty or spiritual struggle?**
* **How can you cultivate a more consistent attitude of thanksgiving, even when you are still awaiting God's full comfort or the turning away of a difficult situation?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the phrase "in that day" in Isaiah 12:1?**

Answer: The phrase "in that day" (Hebrew: _bayôm hahûʼ_) is a crucial prophetic idiom used frequently throughout Isaiah and other prophetic books. It does not refer to a literal 24-hour period but rather to a specific, significant, and often eschatological era in God's redemptive plan. In Isaiah, it typically points forward to a future time of divine intervention, judgment, and ultimate salvation. While it can have immediate historical applications, its fullest meaning often anticipates the Messianic age, the coming of God's kingdom, and the final restoration of His people. For instance, [Isaiah 11:10](/isaiah/11-10 "Isaiah 11:10 - The Root of Jesse") speaks of "in that day" when the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples, clearly pointing to the Messiah. Thus, Isaiah 12:1 looks beyond immediate historical deliverance to a climactic moment when God's anger is definitively turned away, and His comfort fully experienced by His redeemed people.

**How can God be both "angry" and "comforting" as described in this single verse?**

Answer: This verse beautifully illustrates the multifaceted nature of God's character, particularly His justice and His mercy. God's "anger" is not capricious or uncontrolled emotion, but a righteous and holy response to sin, rebellion, and injustice. It reflects His perfect standard and His intolerance for evil. However, God's anger is always balanced by His profound love and mercy. For His covenant people, His anger is often disciplinary, designed to lead them to repentance and restoration, rather than annihilation. Once repentance occurs, or in His sovereign timing, God's anger "turns away," indicating a cessation of judgment and a return to favor. This turning away is immediately followed by His active "comfort," which signifies His tender care, solace, and healing. This dynamic reveals that God's ultimate desire is not to remain angry but to reconcile and restore, demonstrating His steadfast love and faithfulness, as seen in passages like [Psalm 103:8-10](/psalms/103-8-10 "Psalm 103:8-10 - The Lord is Compassionate and Gracious").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 12:1 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "day" to which the prophet looks forward is inaugurated by Christ's first advent and will be fully realized at His second coming. It is through His atoning sacrifice on the cross that God's righteous anger against sin is definitively "turned away" for all who believe. As [Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Justification by Christ's Blood") declares, "Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God." Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), bearing the full weight of divine wrath so that we might receive divine comfort. Moreover, Christ is the ultimate source of comfort; He promised the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to His disciples ([John 14:16](/john/14-16 "John 14:16 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")). Through Christ, we are reconciled to God ([2 Corinthians 5:19](/2_corinthians/5-19 "2 Corinthians 5:19 - God Reconciling the World to Himself")), experiencing not only the cessation of God's wrath but also the active, indwelling presence of His peace and solace. Our praise, as anticipated in Isaiah 12:1, is now offered in and through Him, for He is the one who has opened the way for us to draw near to God with confidence ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Most Holy Place")). Thus, the prophetic hope of Isaiah 12:1 is not merely a historical relief but an eternal reality made possible by the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.