Isaiah 43:21

KJV

This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.

KJV (with Strong's)

This {H2098} people {H5971} have I formed {H3335} for myself; they shall shew forth {H5608} my praise {H8416}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the people I formed for myself, so that they would proclaim my praise.

Berean Standard Bible

The people I formed for Myself will declare My praise.

American Standard Version

the people which I formed for myself, that they might set forth my praise.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 43:21 stands as a profound declaration of divine purpose, revealing that God meticulously fashioned His chosen people, Israel, not for their own sake, but specifically for Himself, with the ultimate intention that their very existence and actions would continually demonstrate and proclaim His magnificent praise to the world. This verse encapsulates the foundational truth of creation's ultimate end: the glory of the Creator.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This powerful verse is nestled within Isaiah chapters 40-55, often referred to as the "Book of Comfort" or "Second Isaiah." Following prophetic pronouncements of judgment and the impending Babylonian exile in earlier chapters, this section shifts dramatically to themes of hope, restoration, and God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people. Chapters 43-44 specifically emphasize God's unique identity as the sole Creator and Redeemer, contrasting Him with the impotent idols of the nations. Verse 21 follows God's declaration of performing a "new thing" in the wilderness, making a way and providing water ([Isaiah 43:19](/isaiah/43-19 "Isaiah 43:19 - God's New Work")), thereby demonstrating His power and presence even in their darkest hour. This statement of purpose for Israel's existence serves as a theological anchor amidst promises of miraculous deliverance and restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Isaiah 43 is the looming or ongoing Babylonian exile, a period of immense national trauma for Israel. Having suffered military defeat, the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, and forced displacement, the people were in despair, questioning God's faithfulness and their own identity. In this context, God's words through Isaiah served as a vital lifeline, reminding them that their suffering was not a sign of His abandonment but a consequence of their unfaithfulness, yet His ultimate purpose for them remained. The imagery of God "forming" His people would have resonated deeply with ancient Near Eastern creation myths, but here it firmly establishes Yahweh as the sovereign, purposeful Creator, unlike the capricious deities of surrounding cultures. Their unique calling to "shew forth His praise" set them apart from nations whose gods were often extensions of their own power or desires.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 43:21 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Isaiah and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Purpose**, highlighting God's intentional and deliberate creation of Israel, not as an accident of history, but as a people specifically designed for His glory. This underscores His ultimate control over all of creation and history, as seen in passages like [Psalm 100:3](/psalms/100-3 "Psalm 100:3 - We are His people"). Secondly, the verse emphasizes **God's Ownership and Covenant Faithfulness**. Despite Israel's failures, God reaffirms His proprietary claim over them ("for myself"), demonstrating His enduring commitment to the Abrahamic covenant. This divine ownership implies both responsibility and privilege for the people. Finally, the verse powerfully articulates the **Ultimate Purpose of Humanity's Existence: God's Praise**. Israel's very being was to be a living testimony to God's character, power, and redemptive acts, fulfilling their role as His witnesses to the nations ([Isaiah 43:10](/isaiah/43-10 "Isaiah 43:10 - Israel as God's Witnesses")). This theme transcends Israel, pointing to the universal calling for all creation to reflect the glory of its Maker.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **People (Hebrew, _ʻam'_):** From the root meaning "to congregate," this word refers to a collective unit, a nation or tribe. In this context, it specifically denotes Israel, God's chosen people, emphasizing their corporate identity and their unique relationship with God as a congregated unit distinct from other nations.
* **Formed (Hebrew, _yâtsar'_):** This verb signifies the act of molding or shaping, often used in the context of a potter fashioning clay. It implies deliberate, skilled, and purposeful craftsmanship. God is portrayed as the divine Potter, intricately designing and bringing Israel into existence with a specific purpose in mind, not through random chance but through intentional design.
* **Shew forth (Hebrew, _çâphar'_):** A primitive root meaning "to score with a mark," "to inscribe," or "to enumerate." Intensively, it means "to recount," "to declare," or "to celebrate." This is not a passive act but an active, public, and vocal proclamation. It implies a detailed and comprehensive declaration of God's attributes and mighty deeds, making His praise known widely.
* **Praise (Hebrew, _tᵉhillâh'_):** Derived from the root "to laud" or "to shine," this word means "laudation" or "a hymn." It refers to the active expression of adoration, commendation, and glorification of God. When people "shew forth His praise," they are actively declaring His excellencies, His character, and His works in a way that brings Him honor and renown.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This people have I formed for myself":** This clause highlights God's absolute sovereignty and intentionality in creation. The demonstrative "This people" (Israel) underscores their unique status. The verb "formed" (yatsar) evokes the imagery of a divine craftsman, emphasizing that Israel's existence is not accidental but the result of God's deliberate, purposeful, and skillful handiwork. The phrase "for myself" asserts God's proprietary claim and ultimate purpose; Israel was brought into being to serve His divine will and to bring Him glory, not for their own self-aggrandizement.
* **"they shall shew forth my praise":** This second clause articulates the ultimate purpose of Israel's formation. The future tense "shall shew forth" indicates a divine expectation and a guaranteed outcome rooted in God's sovereign plan. "Shew forth" (saphar) implies an active, public, and continuous declaration. Israel's very being, their history, their covenant relationship, and their obedience were intended to be a living testimony, a public proclamation of God's character, power, and redemptive acts ("my praise") to the watching world. This praise encompasses both verbal adoration and a life lived in alignment with God's glory.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 43:21 employs several powerful literary devices. **Divine Fiat** is evident in the authoritative declaration "This people have I formed," emphasizing God's sovereign will and creative power. The implied **Metaphor** of God as a **Potter** shaping clay is present in the verb "formed" (_yâtsar_), conveying deliberate design and intimate craftsmanship. **Purpose Clause** is central to the verse's structure, with the first clause stating the action ("I have formed") and the second stating its intended outcome ("they shall shew forth my praise"). This highlights the teleological nature of God's creation. Furthermore, the phrase "for myself" demonstrates **Anthropomorphism**, attributing to God a desire for possession or ownership, making His relationship with Israel more relatable. The entire verse functions as a concise **Statement of Purpose**, clearly defining Israel's identity and mission in relation to their Creator.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 43:21 is a foundational text for understanding the *telos* (ultimate purpose) of creation and redemption. It asserts that God's primary motivation in forming a people for Himself is the manifestation of His own glory. This principle extends beyond ancient Israel to all of humanity, as we are all God's handiwork, designed to reflect His character and goodness. Our very existence is meant to be a living testament to His greatness. This divine purpose is not merely an external command but an intrinsic part of our created design, finding its fullest expression when we live in alignment with His will, actively declaring His excellencies through our lives, words, and actions. It underscores that true human flourishing is found in glorifying God, for whom and by whom all things exist.

* [Psalm 100:3](/psalms/100-3 "Psalm 100:3 - God is our Maker")
* [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen People to Proclaim God's Praises")
* [Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - God's Workmanship for Good Works")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 43:21 offers profound insights for believers today, serving as a powerful reminder of our identity and purpose in Christ. Just as ancient Israel was uniquely formed by God, so too are believers in Christ "new creations" ([2_corinthians/5-17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ"))—re-formed and redeemed by God for His glory. This verse calls us to embrace a God-centered view of our lives, recognizing that our existence is not accidental or self-serving, but divinely purposed. To "shew forth God's praise" means living a life that consistently reflects His character, His love, His justice, and His power. It involves both verbal proclamation of His goodness and a lifestyle that exemplifies His transformative grace. Our actions, our words, our attitudes, and our relationships should all point to Him, making His excellencies known to a world desperately in need of His light. This purpose gives profound meaning to every aspect of our daily lives, transforming mundane tasks into opportunities for worship and every interaction into a potential witness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding that God "formed me for himself" impact my sense of identity and self-worth?**
* **In what specific ways can I more intentionally "shew forth God's praise" in my daily life, both through my words and my actions?**
* **Considering God's enduring faithfulness to Israel despite their failures, how does this verse encourage me in my own struggles with sin or doubt?**
* **What aspects of God's character or work do I feel most compelled to "shew forth" to those around me?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that God "formed" His people "for himself"?**

Answer: The phrase "formed" (Hebrew: *yâtsar*) implies a deliberate, intentional act of creation, much like a potter shapes clay. It signifies that God is the sovereign designer and architect of His people, Israel. "For myself" emphasizes God's ultimate ownership and purpose. It means that Israel's existence was not random, nor was it primarily for their own benefit or glory, but rather to fulfill God's divine will and to bring Him honor. Their identity, their covenant, and their very being were intrinsically tied to God's plan to reveal Himself to the world through them. This concept extends to all humanity, as we are all God's handiwork, created to bring Him glory ([Psalm 100:3](/psalms/100-3 "Psalm 100:3 - God is our Maker")).

**How do we "shew forth" God's praise in our daily lives?**

Answer: To "shew forth" (Hebrew: *çâphar*) God's praise means to actively declare, recount, and make known His excellencies, His character, and His mighty deeds. This is not merely a passive admiration but an active, public proclamation. In daily life, this can manifest in several ways:
1. **Verbal Testimony:** Sharing the Gospel ([Mark 16:15](/mark/16-15 "Mark 16:15 - Preach the Gospel")), speaking of God's goodness, and giving Him thanks and adoration.
2. **Righteous Living:** Living a life of integrity, love, and justice that reflects God's character, making His presence visible to others ([Matthew 5:16](/matthew/5-16 "Matthew 5:16 - Let Your Light Shine")).
3. **Service and Good Works:** Using our gifts and talents to serve others and build up the Body of Christ, demonstrating God's love in tangible ways ([Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - God's Workmanship for Good Works")).
4. **Worship and Adoration:** Engaging in personal and corporate worship that honors God and expresses our devotion.
Ultimately, our entire lives are meant to be a living testament to God's transformative power and grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 43:21 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ and, through Him, in the Church. While Israel was formed to show forth God's praise, their consistent failure highlighted humanity's inability to perfectly fulfill this divine mandate. Jesus, however, perfectly embodied this purpose. He declared, "I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do" ([John 17:4](/john/17-4 "John 17:4 - Jesus Glorifies the Father")). His life, death, and resurrection were the supreme demonstration of God's character, power, and redemptive love, perfectly "showing forth His praise" in a way no other could. Through Christ, God has formed a "new creation" ([2_corinthians/5-17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation"))—the Church—a people redeemed and reconciled to Himself. We, as believers, are now "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" ([1_peter/2-9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen People Proclaiming God's Praises")). Our purpose, therefore, is to live lives that glorify God, not by our own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit working within us, enabling us to bear much fruit that brings glory to the Father ([John 15:8](/john/15-8 "John 15:8 - Bearing Fruit to Glorify God")). In Christ, we are God's workmanship, created for good works that He prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them, thereby fulfilling the very purpose for which humanity was formed: to reflect and declare the praise of our magnificent Creator and Redeemer ([Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - God's Workmanship for Good Works")).

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

1 Peter 2:9

But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

1 Corinthians 6:19

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

1 Corinthians 6:20

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Psalms 102:18

This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.

Hebrews 13:15

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name.

Luke 1:74

That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

Luke 1:75

In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.