Isaiah 49:13

KJV

¶ Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

KJV (with Strong's)

Sing {H7442}, O heavens {H8064}; and be joyful {H1523}, O earth {H776}; and break forth {H6476} into singing {H7440}, O mountains {H2022}: for the LORD {H3068} hath comforted {H5162} his people {H5971}, and will have mercy {H7355} upon his afflicted {H6041}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sing, heaven! Rejoice, earth! Break out in song, you mountains! For ADONAI is comforting his people, having mercy on his own who have suffered.

Berean Standard Bible

Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; break forth in song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and He will have compassion on His afflicted ones.

American Standard Version

Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for Jehovah hath comforted his people, and will have compassion upon his afflicted.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 49:13 is a magnificent call for all creation—heavens, earth, and mountains—to erupt in jubilant song and joy. This cosmic celebration is rooted in the profound truth that the Lord has acted decisively to comfort His people and extend His deep mercy to those who have been afflicted. It serves as a powerful declaration of divine faithfulness and restoration, offering a stark contrast to the despair of exile and promising a future filled with God's compassionate care.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the second major section of Isaiah (chapters 40-55), often called "Second Isaiah" or the "Book of Comfort." This section primarily addresses the exilic community in Babylon, offering messages of hope, deliverance, and restoration after a period of judgment and suffering. Immediately preceding [Isaiah 49:13](/isaiah/49-13 "Isaiah 49:13 - The Call to Rejoice") are passages that highlight the Servant of the Lord's mission to gather Israel and be a light to the nations ([Isaiah 49:1-12](/isaiah/49-1 "Isaiah 49:1-12 - The Servant's Mission")). Crucially, [Isaiah 49:14](/isaiah/49-14 "Isaiah 49:14 - Zion's Lament") follows, where Zion laments, "The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me." Verse 13, therefore, acts as a divine, preemptive rebuttal to such despair, assuring God's unwavering commitment and compassion before the people even voice their doubt. It is a powerful affirmation of God's presence and redemptive plan amidst perceived abandonment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Isaiah 49 is the Babylonian exile, a period of profound national trauma for Judah. After the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BC, many Jews were forcibly deported to Babylon, where they lived as exiles for decades. This experience led to deep despair, questioning of God's faithfulness, and a sense of abandonment. The cultural context includes the lament traditions common in the ancient Near East, where people would cry out to their gods in times of distress. However, Isaiah's prophecy offers a unique divine response, not merely acknowledging the lament but actively reversing the conditions that cause it. The imagery of cosmic rejoicing would have resonated with ancient audiences who often saw natural phenomena as reflecting divine activity, emphasizing the magnitude of God's intervention in human history.

* **Key Themes:** [Isaiah 49:13](/isaiah/49-13 "Isaiah 49:13 - A Call to Cosmic Joy") encapsulates several overarching themes prevalent in Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, **Divine Comfort and Restoration** is central; God's active intervention to console and restore His people after suffering is the primary message. This comfort is not passive but leads to a dramatic reversal of fortune, turning lament into praise. Secondly, the theme of **Universal Rejoicing** underscores the cosmic significance of God's redemptive work. The command for heavens, earth, and mountains to "sing" and "be joyful" signifies that the restoration of God's people is an event of such magnitude that it warrants the praise of all creation, echoing similar themes found in [Psalm 96:11-12](/psalms/96-11 "Psalm 96:11-12 - Let the Heavens Rejoice") and anticipating the universal praise in [Revelation 5:13](/revelation/5-13 "Revelation 5:13 - Every Creature Praises God"). Thirdly, **God's Mercy and Compassion** is highlighted by the phrase "will have mercy upon his afflicted." This reveals God's tender character and His particular concern for the vulnerable and oppressed, demonstrating that His power is always intertwined with profound love. Finally, the verse powerfully affirms **God's Faithfulness to Covenant**, assuring His people that despite their exile and feelings of abandonment, He remains true to His promises, actively working to fulfill His covenantal love and bring them home.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **joyful (Hebrew, _gîyl'_):** This primitive root means to spin around under the influence of violent emotion, typically to rejoice or be glad. It conveys a sense of exuberant, unrestrained joy, often expressed through dancing or shouting. In this context, it describes the intense, overflowing gladness that the earth is commanded to exhibit in response to God's redemptive actions.
* **comforted (Hebrew, _nâcham'_):** This root properly means to sigh or breathe strongly, implying a deep emotional response. It can signify pity, console, or even regret. Here, it refers to God's active alleviation of distress, His profound compassion that leads to soothing and bringing relief to His people. It's not a superficial comfort but one that addresses deep sorrow and pain.
* **mercy (Hebrew, _râcham'_):** This primitive root means to fondle, and by implication, to love, especially to compassionate. It is closely related to the Hebrew word for "womb," conveying a deep, visceral, and often motherly compassion. It describes a tender, heartfelt pity that moves God to action, demonstrating His profound and intimate care for His suffering people, the "afflicted."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains:"** This opening tripartite command sets a scene of universal, ecstatic celebration. The heavens, earth, and mountains—representing the entirety of creation—are personified and commanded to erupt in joyful sound. "Break forth into singing" implies a sudden, uncontainable outburst of praise, a spontaneous overflow of gladness that cannot be held back. This establishes the immense significance of the reason for their rejoicing.
* **"for the LORD hath comforted his people,"** This clause provides the foundational reason for the cosmic jubilation. The "LORD" (Yahweh, H3068) refers to the covenant-keeping God of Israel, emphasizing His personal and active involvement. His "comforting" of His people signifies His compassionate intervention to alleviate their distress and bring them solace after a period of suffering, particularly the Babylonian exile. This comfort is a past action, a completed work that warrants immediate praise.
* **"and will have mercy upon his afflicted."** This final clause further elaborates on the nature of God's redemptive act. It speaks of a future or ongoing action of God's profound "mercy" (râcham) towards His "afflicted" (aniy). The "afflicted" are those who are depressed, humble, lowly, needy, or poor, reflecting the state of Israel in exile. God's mercy is a tender, compassionate response to their suffering, promising a reversal of their circumstances and a restoration rooted in His deep love.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 49:13 is rich with literary artistry, primarily employing **Personification** and **Imperative Mood** to convey its powerful message. The heavens, earth, and mountains are given human-like qualities, commanded to "sing," "be joyful," and "break forth into singing." This personification elevates the significance of God's actions, implying that His comfort and mercy are so profound they elicit a response from the very fabric of the cosmos, not just humanity. The repeated use of the **Imperative Mood** ("Sing," "be joyful," "break forth") creates a sense of urgency and authoritative command, emphasizing the certainty and necessity of this universal praise. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Parallelism**, with three distinct commands for rejoicing directed at different parts of creation, building a cumulative effect of overwhelming joy. This cosmic imagery can also be seen as **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the scope of the rejoicing to underscore the immense glory and impact of God's redemptive work for His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 49:13 is a profound theological statement on the character of God and the scope of His redemptive work. It reveals a God who is not distant or indifferent to the suffering of His people, but one who actively intervenes with deep compassion and unwavering faithfulness. The cosmic call to rejoice underscores that God's comfort and mercy for Israel are not merely a localized event but have universal implications, signaling a pivotal moment in salvation history that warrants the praise of all creation. This speaks to God's sovereignty over all things and His intimate involvement in the lives of His chosen people, fulfilling His covenant promises even in their darkest hours. The verse testifies to a God whose nature is fundamentally merciful, moving Him to restore the downtrodden and turn their sorrow into songs of triumph.

* [Psalm 96:11-12](/psalms/96-11 "Psalm 96:11-12 - Let the Heavens Rejoice, Let the Earth Be Glad")
* [Psalm 103:8](/psalms/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - The Lord is Merciful and Gracious")
* [Lamentations 3:31-32](/lamentations/3-31 "Lamentations 3:31-32 - For the Lord Will Not Cast Off Forever")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 49:13 offers a powerful antidote to despair and a profound invitation to hope for believers today. In a world often marked by suffering, injustice, and personal affliction, this verse reminds us that our God is not only aware of our pain but is actively engaged in comforting us and showing us mercy. It challenges us to lift our gaze beyond our immediate circumstances and recognize that our individual struggles are part of a larger divine narrative of restoration and cosmic praise. When we feel forgotten, abandoned, or overwhelmed by affliction, this passage assures us that God's compassion runs deeper than any human sorrow. It calls us to join the universal chorus of creation, trusting that God's comfort will indeed turn our lament into singing, transforming our personal "exile" into a journey of homecoming and renewed joy. Our response to God's unwavering faithfulness should be one of profound gratitude and exuberant praise, reflecting the very joy commanded of the heavens and the earth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the idea of all creation rejoicing for God's comfort to His people impact your understanding of God's redemptive work?**
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "afflicted" or in need of God's comfort and mercy? How does this verse speak to those needs?**
* **What practical steps can you take to "break forth into singing" and express joy, even amidst challenging circumstances, as an act of faith in God's faithfulness?**
* **How does remembering God's past acts of comfort help you trust in His future mercy?**

### FAQ
**Why is all creation commanded to rejoice for God's comfort to Israel?**

Answer: The command for the heavens, earth, and mountains to rejoice in [Isaiah 49:13](/isaiah/49-13 "Isaiah 49:13 - Cosmic Rejoicing") signifies the universal and cosmic significance of God's redemptive work for His people, Israel. It underscores that God's acts of comfort and mercy are not merely local or historical events, but have implications for the entire created order. The restoration of God's covenant people is a demonstration of His sovereignty, power, and faithfulness that is so grand, it warrants the praise of everything He has made. It also serves to magnify God's glory, showing that His compassion for His afflicted people is a cause for universal celebration, echoing themes found in [Psalm 98:7-9](/psalms/98-7 "Psalm 98:7-9 - Let the Sea Roar") where creation is called to praise the Lord for His righteous judgment and salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 49:13 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The comfort and mercy promised by the Lord to His afflicted people in the Old Testament are fully realized in the New Covenant established through Christ. Jesus is the ultimate Comforter, the one who truly takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) and offers peace that surpasses all understanding ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")). His incarnation, atoning death, and resurrection are the definitive acts of God's mercy towards a humanity afflicted by sin and death. Through Christ, believers are reconciled to God, receiving spiritual comfort and the promise of eternal restoration. The cosmic rejoicing envisioned in Isaiah anticipates the new heavens and new earth, where all creation will indeed sing praises to the Lamb who sits on the throne ([Revelation 5:13](/revelation/5-13 "Revelation 5:13 - Every Creature Praises God")). Jesus himself embodies God's tender compassion, identifying with the poor, the humble, and the afflicted, and offering them true rest for their souls ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). Thus, the ancient prophecy of comfort and mercy culminates in the person of Christ, who brings the ultimate redemption that causes all creation to sing.

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

Isaiah 44:23

Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done [it]: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.

Isaiah 51:3

For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

Psalms 96:11

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.

Psalms 96:13

Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

Isaiah 52:9

Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.

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.