I’ve (by praying and reading) discovered the “impetus,” the “trigger,” the “reasoning” (actually the “blessing”) behind this lovely Psalm, Isaiah chapter 12.

And it is found in the very first verse. “And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.” (Again, this is Isaiah 12:1, King James Version.)

Why this praise?

National (Israel, her surviving remnant anyway) praise!

Because God’s “anger” has been “turned away!”

“Anger” is “aph” in Hebrew, God being “red-hot” in Fury, so very “angry” He (merely a word picture now) “breathes hard through his nose, His nostrils!” That mad!

God’s Wrath!

An eternity in Hell!

Or national chastisement, slavery, and for many thousands … death!

The verb “turned away” is “shub,” in our terminology meaning “turning 180 degrees around!” (An “about-face!”) Reversing one’s direction! (This verb and its substantive cousin are often used to express the Old Testament thought of “repentance.”)

God’s Judgment is gone!

Plus … God now “comforts them!” 

“Nacham” (precisely translated “comfortest”) means “to feel sorrow or pity” for someone. To identify with their trials, situations, heartaches! God has “eased” their distress!

And this is WHY they are praising Him so!

But I have one more question this morning.

What could bring about such forgiveness?

What could possibly induce such comfort?

There is only one possible Answer.

And That is JESUS!

Calvary!

The Blood of the Lamb shed there!

And it is still true, according to the New Testament … “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is CONDEMNED ALREADY, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18

Add: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the WRATH of God abideth on him.” John 3:36

Hallelujah!

Genuine reason to praise God!

Saved!

Saved by Grace!

Tell us again, Isaiah. What will the delivered remnant of Israel say some day in the future, when they lay their eyes on the Coming (Returning) Lord Jesus? “And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.”

Amen!

We ought to be doing the same today, praising our Saviour! Luke 10:20, Jesus preaching: “But rather REJOICE, because your names are written in heaven.”

Yes!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell