CHAP. XII. V.1. ( Marg .
Ref .) Whatever accommodations may be made of this sacred hymn; as it is immediately connected with the pro prophecy in the former chapter, it evidently predicts, that the converted nation of Israel, reflecting upon their past condition for so long a time, because of the anger of God against them for their obstinate rejection of their Messiah; and exulting in the glorious change which had taken place; shall break out in the language of the prophet, "O LORD, I will praise thee, &c." ( Notes , 63:15-19.64:1-12.) -'I will give thanks unto thee, O JEHOVAH, for 'though thou hast been angry with me, thine 'anger is turned away, and thou hast comfort'ed me. ...
The Hebrew phrase ... is exactly the 'same with that of St. Paul, Rom . 6:17. "Thanks be to God, that ye were the slaves of sin; but 'ye have obeyed from the heart, &c."" Bp . Lowth . ( Note , Rom . 6:16-19, v . 17.) - Thine anger is turned away .] 9:12,21. 10:4. Note, 5: 24,25, v . 24.
V. 2. The deliverance of Israel, from oppression and misery, was only a shadow of the redemption of the church from sin and Satan This whole salvation results from the infinite love and mercy of God the Father: it was contrived by his infinite wisdom; and rests on his infinite power, and truth. It is altogether communicated through the person and mediation of Immanuel; and it is applied by the newcreating power of God the Spirit: so that in every sense, God is the Salvation of his church. Thus JAH-JEHOVAH, the eternal God, is become the Savior of the world: and is, "in
3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, *call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
f 49:10. 55:1-3. Ps. 36:9. Jer. 2:13. John 1:16. 4:10-14.7: 37-39. Rev. 7:17. 22:1,17. g 1. Ps. 106:47,48. 113:1-3. 117:
* Or, proclaim his name. Ex. 33:19. 34:5-7. 1 Chr. 16:8. Ps. 105:1.
h 66:19. Ps. 9:11. 22:31.40:5. 71:16-18. 73:28. 96:3, 107:22. 145:4-6. Jer. 50:2. 51:9,10. John 17:26.
i 2:11,17. 25:1. 33:5. Ex. 15:2. 1 Chr. 29:11. Neh. 9:5. Ps. 18:46. 21:13.46:10. 57:5. 97:9. 113:5. Phil. 2:9-11.
Christ" the Support, Protector, and Friend of the church, and of every believer; as he becomes his Salvation, from the moment, when he is enabled to receive and rely on him, as ( Notes , 7:14. 9:6,7. 45:15-17,20-25. Ps . 27:1-3. 68:4. Luke 1:46-55, v. 47. Tit . 2: 9-14. 3:4-7.)
such.
V. 3. The purifying, fertilizing, and consolatory influences of the Holy Spirit are commonly denoted, under the emblem of springing water. (Marg. Ref . - Notes , 49:9-13. Ex . 17: 5,6. John 4:10-15. 7:37--39.) This water flows through the mediatory work of Christ, and is conveyed to the souls of men by the ordinances of God's worship.
When the gospel is preached in any place, "wells of salvation" are opened, which communicate with the Fountain of life in Christ: and in the predicted times, this Fountain of life and these "wells of salvation" though long hidden from Israel, will be discovered to them, and they will praise God with joyful hearts. ( Note , Zech . 13:1.)-The 'Jews themselves seem to have applied it to 'the times of the Messiah.
On the last day of 'the feast of tabernacles, they fetched water in a golden pitcher, from the fountain of Siloah, 'springing at the foot of mount Zion, without 'the city: they brought it through the water'gate into the temple, and poured it, mixed 'with wine, on the sacrifice as it lay upon the 'altar, with great rejoicing. Our Savior ap'plied the ceremony, and the intention of it, to 'himself, and to the effusion of the Holy Spirit, 'promised, and to be given, by him.' Bp . Lowth.
V. 4--6.
In the day, when the Lord shali do so great things for his church; his people shall excite each other to praise him for the past, and to call on him for all that yet remains to be done: or, they will "proclaim his name" and perfections, as well as "declare his doings among the people," and expatiate on his wonders wrought in their behalf, that "his name may be exalted." ( Note , Ex . 34:5--7.) Thus the excellent things done for the Jews and Israelites, being celebrated and made known to all the earth, will, probably, be one grand means of bringing in "the fulness of the Gentiles:" while the inhabitants of Zion, the church converted from that chosen race, will cry aloud and shout for joy; and all shall see the triumphant power of the Holy One of Israel, in the wonders wrought in their behalf. (Notes, 30:20--26.
Zeph . 3:14--20. Zech . 2:10 -13. Rom. 11:11--15,22--36.) "When ye shall draw waters with joy from the fountains of salvation; in that day ye shall say: Give ye thanks to JEHOVAH; Call upon his name, make known among the peoples his mighty deeds." Bp. Lowth. "The peoples," plural ; that is, the nations of the earth.
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. Every one of those, who now have peace
with God, was once exposed to his righteous anger; and most of them experienced many painful effects from it, and dreaded others far more tremendous. But when the awakened and humbled sinner finds pardon and peace, through the atoning blood of Christ, he with thankful heart exclaims, "O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou hast comforted me." --Yet alas! we are prone to relapse into transgression: and then our heavenly Father is angry with us and frowns upon us; he bereaves us of our comforts, and inflicts sharp corrections.
When these bring us to mourn for our sins, and to renew repentance and humble faith, his "anger will be turned away," our comforts will be restored, and our hearts again tuned to celebrate his praises.
All these our hopes and comforts are vouchsafed to us sinful creatures, because "God is become our Salvation:" and when we rest all our hopes on this Foundation, "we may trust, and not be afraid." For as God was inanifested in the flesh; and as Immanuel died for our sins, when we were enemies; he will doubtless be the Strength and complete Salvation of all, who believe in him, and love, and obey him, and whom he now numbers among his friends.
Having JEHOVAH, the eternal God, for our "Strength and Song," we may bid defiance to all our enemies: and though we must encounter difficulties, endure hardships, and experience sharp conflicts; we have "wells of salvation" opened on every side; and, drawing from them the waters of life and consolation, by faith and prayer, we may rejoice in the midst of tribulation, and find some foretastes of heaven, in communion with the Lord in this outward sanctuary. (Notes, Rom . 5:1--11.) The more diligently we attend on the means of grace, and the larger supplies we derive from the Fountain of salvation; the more fervent will be our praises of God cur Savior.
The glories of his character, and the excellency of all his wonderful works, especially that of our redemption, will be our favorite theme. We shall ardently desire that his name should be universally extolled; and that his inestimable salvation should be known to all the earth.
Whilst our hearts rejoice, that the Holy God "dwelleth in Zion" upon a mercy-seat, the Friend of sinners who seek unto him, im, and the almighty Protector of his church; we shall be ready to shout for joy as victors, even when we are "fighting the good fight of faith." We shall not only anticipate our own complete salvation, and that of every believer, through him who loved us; but the prevalence also of his truth and cause over all opposition: whilst numerous accessions will be made continually to those, who celebrate his praises with joyful hearts; and every one will, with increasing alacrity, seek to recommend his salvation and service to all around him.
THE burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.
2 Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, fshake the hand, that they may & go into the gates of the nobles.
3 I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness.
4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a
a 14:28. 15:1. 17:1. 19:1. 21:11, 13. 22:1,25. 23:1. Jer. 23:33 38. Ez. 12:10. Nah. 1:1. Hab. 1:1. Zech. 9:1. 12:1. Mal. 1:1.
b 14:4,&c. 21:1-10. 43:14. 44: 1,2. 47:1,&c. Jer. 25:12-26. 51:1. Dan. 5:28-31,&c. Rev. 17:18.
g 45:1-3. Jer. 51:58. h 23:11. 44:27,28. 45:4,5. Jer. 50:21,&c.
i Jer. 51:20-24. Rev. 17:12-18.
Joel 3:11.
NOTES.