Text -- Isaiah 12:3-6 (NET)

12:3 Joyfully you will draw water from the springs of deliverance. 12:4 At that time you will say: “Praise the Lord! Ask him for help! Publicize his mighty acts among the nations! Make it known that he is unique! 12:5 Sing to the Lord, for he has done magnificent things, let this be known throughout the earth! 12:6 Cry out and shout for joy, O citizens of Zion, for the Holy One of Israel acts mightily among you!”

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Isa 12:3

¹ tn Or “salvation” (so many English versions, e.g., KJV, NAB, NIV, NRSV, NLT); CEV “victory.”

sn Water is here a metaphor for renewed life; the springs symbolize the restoration of God’s favor.

NET Notes: Isa 12:4

¹ tn Or “in that day” (KJV).

² tn Heb “call in his name,” i.e., “invoke his name.”

³ tn Heb “bring to remembrance that his name is exalted.” The Lord’s “name” stands here for his character and reputation.

NET Notes: Isa 12:5

¹ tc The translation follows the marginal reading (Qere), which is a Hophal participle from יָדַע (yada’), understood here in a gerundive sense.

NET Notes: Isa 12:6

¹ sn See the note on the phrase “the Holy One of Israel” in 1:4.

² tn Or “is great” (TEV). However, the context emphasizes his mighty acts of deliverance (cf. NCV), not some general or vague character quality.