Isaiah 12:1-5

Context

12:1 At that time¹ you will say:

“I praise you, O Lord,

for even though you were angry with me,

your anger subsided, and you consoled me.

12:2 Look, God is my deliverer!²

I will trust in him³ and not fear.

For the Lord gives me strength and protects me;⁴

he has become my deliverer.”⁵

12:3 Joyfully you will draw water

from the springs of deliverance.⁶

12:4 At that time⁷ you will say:

“Praise the Lord!

Ask him for help!⁸

Publicize his mighty acts among the nations!

Make it known that he is unique!⁹

12:5 Sing to the Lord, for he has done magnificent things,

let this be known¹⁰ throughout the earth!

[12:1] ¹tn Or “in that day” (KJV).

[12:2] ²tn Or “salvation” (KJV, NIV, NRSV).

[12:2] ³tn The words “in him” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

[12:2] ⁴tc The Hebrew text has, “for my strength and protection [is] the Lord, the Lord (Heb “Yah, Yahweh).” The word יְהוָה (yehvah) is probably dittographic or explanatory here (note that the short form of the name [יָהּ, yah] precedes, and that the graphically similar וַיְהִי [vayÿhi] follows). Exod 15:2, the passage from which the words of v. 2b are taken, has only יָהּ. The word זִמְרָת (zimrat) is traditionally understood as meaning “song,” in which case one might translate, “for the Lord gives me strength and joy” (i.e., a reason to sing); note that in v. 5 the verb זָמַר (zamar, “sing”) appears. Many recent commentators, however, have argued that the noun is here instead a homonym, meaning “protection” or “strength.” See HALOT 274 s.v. III *זמר.

[12:2] ⁵tn Or “salvation” (so many English versions, e.g., KJV, NIV, NRSV, NLT); NAB “my savior.”

[12:3] ⁶tn Or “salvation” (so many English versions, e.g., KJV, NAB, NIV, NRSV, NLT); CEV “victory.”

[12:4] ⁷tn Or “in that day” (KJV).

[12:4] ⁸tn Heb “call in his name,” i.e., “invoke his name.”

[12:4] ⁹tn Heb “bring to remembrance that his name is exalted.” The Lord’s “name” stands here for his character and reputation.

[12:5] ¹⁰tc The translation follows the marginal reading (Qere), which is a Hophal participle from יָדַע (yada’), understood here in a gerundive sense.