¶ LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.
LORD {H3068}, thou wilt ordain {H8239} peace {H7965} for us: for thou also hast wrought {H6466} all our works {H4639} in us.
ADONAI, you will grant us peace; because all we have done, you have done for us.
O LORD, You will establish peace for us. For all that we have accomplished, You have done for us.
Jehovah, thou wilt ordain peace for us; for thou hast also wrought all our works for us.
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Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. -
Psalms 57:2
I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth [all things] for me. -
Psalms 29:11
The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. -
Ezekiel 20:14
But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out. -
Deuteronomy 30:6
And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. -
Jeremiah 33:6
Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth. -
Hebrews 13:20
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
Isaiah 26:12 is a powerful declaration of trust and assurance in God's sovereign provision of peace and His active work within His people. It is part of a prophetic song (Isaiah 26:1-19) that expresses confidence in the Lord amidst judgment and tribulation, looking forward to a time of divine restoration and ultimate peace.
Context
This verse is nestled within a section of Isaiah (chapters 24-27) often referred to as "Isaiah's Apocalypse" due to its sweeping prophecies concerning global judgment and God's ultimate triumph. Chapter 26, in particular, is a song of praise and thanksgiving for God's deliverance and the establishment of His righteous kingdom. The preceding verses speak of God's judgment on the wicked and His preservation of the righteous, setting the stage for the declaration of God's enduring peace for His faithful.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "ordain peace" comes from the Hebrew yāṣar shālōm (יָצַר שָׁלוֹם). The verb yāṣar means "to form," "to fashion," or "to create," often used in the context of a potter shaping clay. This implies that God actively designs and brings into being a comprehensive peace for His people. The word shalom is much richer than just "peace" in English; it signifies completeness, soundness, welfare, prosperity, and harmony in all aspects of life.
The phrase "wrought all our works in us" uses the Hebrew verb pāʿal (פָּעַל), meaning "to do," "to make," or "to accomplish." This reinforces the idea of God's active, internal operation within believers, enabling them to live righteously and perform good works. It's not just that God observes our works, but that He is the very source and power behind them.
Practical Application
Isaiah 26:12 offers profound comfort and a call to humility. In a world often devoid of true peace, this verse reminds us that genuine peace is a divine gift, not a human achievement. It encourages believers to look to God as the ultimate source of their well-being and to trust in His sovereign plan, even when facing uncertainty or tribulation. Furthermore, it prompts us to acknowledge that any good we accomplish is a result of God's grace working within us, fostering a spirit of gratitude and dependence on Him rather than pride in our own abilities. This understanding can lead to a deeper sense of rest and security, knowing that our peace and purpose are rooted in God's faithful work.