Isaiah 12 explained: A Song for the Day of Rescue

Anger turned to comfort (v. 1)

"In that day" points back to chapter 11, where Isaiah pictures a future king from David's family and God's scattered people brought home. The "you" is singular in the original, so the whole nation speaks as one person, thankful that God's anger has given way to comfort.

Trust instead of fear (v. 2)

The singer calls God their rescue and strength, and chooses trust over fear. This line repeats almost exactly a line from the song Israel sang after escaping Egypt through the sea (Exodus 15:2), so this future rescue is pictured as a second escape from slavery.

Water from the wells (v. 3)

In a dry land, drawing water from a well was daily, life-giving work, so God's rescue is pictured as a supply that never runs out. Jewish tradition linked this verse to a joyful water ceremony at the autumn Feast of Tabernacles, and Christians read Jesus' words about "living water" at that feast (John 7) in light of it.

Tell the whole world (vv. 4-5)

Now the singers urge one another to make God's deeds known among all nations, not keep them to themselves. "Sing to the LORD" echoes Miriam's song after the sea crossing, again tying this rescue to the escape from Egypt.

God among his people (v. 6)

Zion means Jerusalem and its people, here pictured as a woman called to shout for joy. The reason is that the Holy One of Israel, the God who had seemed distant in anger, now lives right among them.

Key verse: Isaiah 12:2

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on what "that day" mainly points to: the return from exile, the coming of Jesus and the spread of the church, or a future restoration of Israel at the end of history.

Something to think about

When a hard season in your life has ended, what helped you move from bracing for the next blow to actually feeling safe again?