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Isaiah 65:14

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Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.

Behold, my servants {H5650} shall sing {H7442} for joy {H2898} of heart {H3820}, but ye shall cry {H6817} for sorrow {H3511} of heart {H3820}, and shall howl {H3213} for vexation {H7667} of spirit {H7307}.

Yes, my servants will sing for joy from their hearts, but you will cry out from the pain in your heart and howl from an anguished spirit.

My servants will shout for joy with a glad heart, but you will cry out with a heavy heart and wail with a broken spirit.

behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall wail for vexation of spirit.

Commentary

Isaiah 65:14 delivers a stark prophetic contrast between the destiny of God's faithful servants and that of the disobedient. It highlights the deeply internal nature of their respective outcomes: profound joy for one group and agonizing sorrow and despair for the other. This verse is part of a larger passage in Isaiah that speaks to God's ultimate justice and the establishment of His kingdom.

Context

This verse is situated within Isaiah chapter 65, which begins with God lamenting Israel's rebellion and idolatry, even as He extends His hands to a rebellious people (Isaiah 65:2). The chapter then pivots to a detailed description of the blessings awaiting God's chosen "servants" who remain faithful, contrasting their prosperity and divine favor with the curses and judgment upon those who forsake Him. The ultimate backdrop is the promise of the new heavens and new earth, where righteousness will dwell and God's people will experience unending joy and peace. Verse 14 specifically draws a clear line between these two groups and their spiritual states.

Key Themes

  • Divine Distinction and Judgment: God clearly distinguishes between those who genuinely serve Him and those who follow their own rebellious ways. This verse underscores the principle of divine judgment, where actions and allegiances have ultimate, eternal consequences.
  • Internal States of the Heart: The core message revolves around the internal experience of joy versus sorrow. It's not just about external circumstances but about the deep-seated condition of one's heart and spirit, which is a direct outcome of their relationship with God.
  • Prophetic Promise and Warning: For God's servants, this is a promise of future vindication and overwhelming joy. For the unfaithful, it serves as a solemn warning of the inevitable anguish and despair that awaits those who reject God's ways.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew original powerfully conveys the emotions described. "Joy of heart" is simchat lev (שִׂמְחַת לֵב), denoting a deep, inherent gladness that originates from within. Conversely, "sorrow of heart" is yagon lev (יָגוֹן לֵב), indicating profound grief and internal pain. The phrase "howl for vexation of spirit" uses yelal (יְלָל) for 'howl,' which is an intense, guttural cry of lamentation or distress. "Vexation of spirit" translates to shever ruach (שֶׁבֶר רוּחַ), literally meaning 'brokenness of spirit' or 'shattered spirit,' emphasizing utter despair and internal collapse. This vivid language paints a picture of two entirely different spiritual realities.

Practical Application

Isaiah 65:14 serves as a potent reminder of the importance of spiritual alignment. For believers, it offers immense encouragement and assurance that their faithfulness to God will ultimately lead to fullness of joy in God's presence. It encourages perseverance in times of trial, knowing that their eternal destiny is secure in God's hands, marked by joy and peace. For those who are not walking with God, it is a stark warning about the severe and internal consequences of rejecting His love and commands. It calls for introspection and a turning towards God, emphasizing that true and lasting joy can only be found in serving Him. Our choices today profoundly impact our spiritual state and future.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 8:12 (4 votes)

    But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

  • Psalms 66:4 (4 votes)

    All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing [to] thy name. Selah.

  • James 5:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ Go to now, [ye] rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon [you].

  • Luke 13:28 (3 votes)

    There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you [yourselves] thrust out.

  • Jeremiah 31:7 (3 votes)

    For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.

  • Isaiah 24:14 (3 votes)

    They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea.

  • Isaiah 52:8 (3 votes)

    Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.