Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Isaiah 12:4

Clarke's Commentary

Verse Isaiah 12:4. Call upon his name — קראו בשמו kiru bishmo, invoke his name. Make him your Mediator, or call the people in his name. Preach him who is the Root of Jesse, and who stands as an ensign for the nations. Call on the people to believe in him; as in him alone salvation is to be found.

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

The Messiah’s kingdom (11:1-12:6)

A leading theme of this part of the book is that God preserves a remnant out of the destruction of Israel and Judah. Earlier this remnant was likened to the stump of a tree from which springs new life (see 6:13). The remnant is now identified with the royal line of David (son of Jesse) from which comes the Messiah (11:1). The Messiah reverences God and, having the Spirit of God in unlimited measure, knows how to apply God’s wisdom in ruling God’s people. He is the Prince of Peace who governs with perfect love and perfect justice. He is not deceived by outward appearances, and has a particular concern for those who are the victims of injustice and oppression (2-5).
In the Messiah’s kingdom there is no hate, fear, cruelty or danger, but perfect peace and harmony. People truly know God, and therefore they no longer do evil to each other (6-9).
The blessings of the Messiah’s kingdom were foreshadowed in the return of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon. The prophet pictures God’s people coming from many nations to dwell together under the Messiah’s rule (10-12). The tension that once existed between Israel and Judah is now gone, for the two kingdoms are united again. They work together in overpowering any nation that threatens the peace of the messianic kingdom (13-14). In a migration of people likened to the exodus from Egypt, those held in foreign captivity return to their homeland (15-16).
Just as Moses and his people sang a song of praise to God for his deliverance from Egypt, so the returned exiles sing their praise to God for his deliverance from Babylon. Now that he has forgiven them, they have no need to fear. God’s salvation brings with it confidence, strength, refreshment and joy (12:1-3). Those who have received this salvation not only want to praise God, but they also want to tell others of him and all that he has done (4-6).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

“And in that day thou shalt say, I will give thanks unto thee, O Jehovah; for though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away from me, and thou comfortest me. Behold God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid: for Jehovah, even Jehovah is my strength and song; and he is become my salvation. Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Give thanks unto Jehovah, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto Jehovah; for he hath done excellent things: let this be known in all the earth. Cry aloud and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great in the midst of thee is the Holy One of Israel.”

In 1924 and for some time previously, critical commentators arrogantly rejected this song as having any right to be in Isaiah at all. Typical of what critics were saying at that time is this blunt, unsupported assertion by Peake, “This is a late appendix.”Peake’s Commentary Series, p. 444. However, by 1937, such assertions had lost their appeal to most scholars. Dummelow, for example, wrote, “Some scholars doubt its Isaianic authorship and date it after the return from the exile.”J. R. Dummelow’s Commentary, p. 424. What a difference! In 1924 the radical critics were proclaiming their denials as the gospel truth; but in Dummelow’s period such denials were relegated to a far lesser status, being merely what “some scholars” alleged.

However, the advance beyond those radical denials so characteristic of the first half of this century is illustrated by this quotation from Payne:

“The prophet seeks to reassure the inhabitants of Zion and instill into his fellow citizens his own confident faith in the Holy One of Israel. With this phrase, so characteristic of Isaiah, the section is brought to an end.”The New Layman’s Bible Commentary, p. 1780.

Marvelous! Payne writing only recently did not even mention the former position of critics, but completely ignored them as he should have done. We truly believe that, as time passes, discerning commentators will more and more stop wasting their time by repeating, and discussing the allegations of unbelievers. A great many faithful and discerning scholars today are doing that very thing. Homer Hailey should be added to this list already.

The last three verses here carry repeated instructions to God’s people of all ages: (1) give thanks to Jehovah; (2) call upon his name; (3) declare his doings among the people; (4) make mention that his name is exalted; (5) sing unto Jehovah; (6) God hath done excellent things; let this be known in all the earth; (7) Cry aloud and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great in the midst of thee is the Holy One of Israel.

All of this adds up to an elaboration of the Biblical injunction, “Let the redeemed of Jehovah say so” (Psalms 107:2).

The Messianic import of the chapter is further indicated by the expression, “With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” On the great day (the last day) of the feast of tabernacles, there was a ceremony connected with drawing water from the Pool of Siloam in a golden pitcher and pouring it upon the sacrifices that day with great rejoicing. Obviously the text in the hymn does not apply to anything ordained in the Law of Moses. And what is said here “can hardly be understood of any benefits provided by the Mosaic dispensation. Our Saviour applied Isaiah’s words here to himself and to the effusion of the Holy Spirit” (John 7:37 ff).Robert Lowth’s Commentary, p. 218.

This brings us to the conclusion of the first great division of Isaiah’s prophecy; and in these brief chapters there has emerged the great majority of the themes that Isaiah will discuss throughout the book, “line upon line, here a little and there a little” as noted in the introduction. Such things as the apostasy of Israel, their rejection as the chosen people, the ruin and captivity of Israel, the return of a remnant, God’s judgments upon wicked nations, the salvation of an obedient remnant, the accomplishment of that redemption by the hand of Immanuel (the Messiah), the coming of the Messiah through the Davidic line, the virgin birth of Messiah, the Messiah’s character, his endowment, his ability, the nature of God’s kingdom, the calling of the Gentiles and their reception into God’s fellowship and kingdom along with a remnant of the Jews, etc. etc.

(The End of Division I)

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

And in that day - (see Isaiah 12:1).

Call upon his name - Margin, ‘Proclaim.’ It denotes to call upon him in the way of celebrating his praise. The whole hymn is one of praise, and not of prayer.

Declare among the people - Among all people, that they may be brought to see his glory, and join in the celebration of his praise.

His doings - Particularly in regard to the great events which are the subject of the previous predictions - his interposition in saving people by the Messiah from eternal death.

Make mention - Hebrew, ‘Cause it to be remembered’ (see the note at Isaiah 62:6).

That his name is exalted - That it is worthy of adoration and praise. It is worthy to be exalted, or lifted up in view of the nations of the earth 2 Samuel 22:47; Psalms 21:13; Psalms 46:10.

Calvin's Commentary on the Bible

4.And in that day shall ye say. He now exhorts them not only to sing praise and give thanks to God individually, but to excite others to do the same. As he had formerly said, Many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up into the mountain of the Lord, (Isaiah 2:3,) that is, exciting each other by mutual exhortation to embrace the pure worship of God; so after having enjoined them individually to be thankful to God, he now also commands them mutually to excite each other to thanksgiving. He means that they ought to speak not to one, but to all, and not at one time only, but during their whole life.

Call upon his name. ⁽¹⁹⁶⁾ He now gives a short description of the manner in which praise is properly rendered to God, when he enjoins us to

call upon him, that we may not glory in any other.
(Jeremiah 9:23.)

Hence also, by taking a part for the whole, (συνεκδοχικῶς,) Scripture frequently describes the whole of worship under the designation of calling upon God. In this way we show that our confidence is placed in God; and this is also what he chiefly demands from us. In like manner, I think that here the Prophet connects calling upon God with praises, in order to include the whole of the worship of God.

Make known his works among the peoples. ⁽¹⁹⁷⁾ He means that the work of this deliverance will be so excellent, that it ought to be proclaimed, not in one corner only, but throughout the whole world. He wished, indeed, that it should be first made known to the Jews, but that it should afterwards spread abroad to all men. This exhortation, by which the Jews testified their gratitude, might be regarded as a forerunner of the preaching of the gospel, which afterwards followed in the proper order. As the Jews proclaimed among the Medes and Persians, and other neighboring nations, the favor which had been showed to them, so, when Christ was manifested, they ought to have been heralds to sound aloud the name of God through every country in the world. Hence it is evident what is the desire which ought to be cherished among all the godly. It is, that the goodness of God may be made known to all, that all may join in the same worship of God. We ought especially to be inflamed with this desire, after having been delivered from some alarming danger, and most of all after having been delivered from the tyranny of the devil and from everlasting death.

(196) Bogus footnote

(197) Bogus footnote

Smith's Bible Commentary

Chapter 12

And in that day ( Isaiah 12:1 ).

This day of the Lord when He returns and establishes His kingdom.

thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me ( Isaiah 12:1 ).

This is, of course, the declaration of Israel who had been dispersed in the anger of the Lord. And now as they are returning, they're returning to God, they shall look upon Him whom they have pierced and they shall weep over Him as one weeps over their only son that is lost and all. And this beautiful recognition by the nation Israel that Jesus is indeed the true Messiah. And so they will praise the Lord and they will say, "You were angry with us, but now Your anger is turned away and now You are our comfort."

Behold, God is my salvation ( Isaiah 12:2 );

That's the name Joshua or Jesus. The acknowledgment of Jesus. They're acknowledging that, "God is my salvation." Jehoshua, the name of Jesus.

I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he is become my salvation ( Isaiah 12:2 ).

And the word "Jehovah is salvation" is the name Jesus. So it speaks here very clearly of the recognition of Jesus as the Savior, even as we are told, "Behold, He comes with the clouds; every eye shall see Him" ( Revelation 1:7 ). They also which pierced Him shall mourn and all. The recognition that Jesus, Jehovah, is their salvation, is become my salvation; Jehovah Shua.

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation ( Isaiah 12:3 ).

Jesus stood and cried saying to them, "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink" ( John 7:37 ). But they refused to come. And so in Revelation the last chapter, Jesus said, "Let him that is athirst come, and drink of the water of life freely" ( Revelation 22:17 ). In that day they will accept the offer and they will draw with joy the water out of the wells of salvation.

And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD ( Isaiah 12:4 ),

Now that seems to bug a lot of people because it seems to be an indication the person's getting sort of turned on, and some people object to people getting turned on to the Lord. I have a friend who was a pastor here in Santa Ana and he pastored the Northside Church of Christ. He started coming to some Bible studies that we were holding here in Costa Mesa and he really got turned on to the Lord. And because we were always going around, all the kids in the Bible study and all, were always going around just rejoicing in the Lord saying, "Oh, praise the Lord!" And as he began to see the work of God and as God began to work in a vital way in his life, he started saying, "Oh, praise the Lord!" Well, he finally was called before his church board, and one of the orders that the church board gave to him was don't use the phrase "Praise the Lord" anymore. It's undignified. And he was forbidden by his church board. Well, he didn't last long, because when you see God working so much, it's just awfully hard not to say, "Praise the Lord!" when you really see the work of God being accomplished.

There is a magazine, religious magazine that is filled with satire and sarcasm. It's called the Wittenberg Door published down in San Diego area, El Cajon. And these guys are always panning some segment in the body of Christ, and I understand that the latest pan is against the Charismatics. And in one of the descriptions of them, it refers to them as these people are always going around saying, "Praise the Lord!" Trying to sort of put down the exuberance, the joy, the excitement that we experience when we see God really working. Oh, praise the Lord! In that day they're going to say it, and so I don't see any problem of saying it today. When you really...

They're excited because God is working. They're excited because they are taking now the wells of salvation. They're excited because they have discovered that Jesus is the Messiah. Well, I've discovered that He's the Messiah, so I should have the privilege of going ahead and saying it now. Praise the Lord for the glorious salvation that we have through Jesus Christ.

call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the LORD; for he has done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee ( Isaiah 12:4-6 ).

And so this is the glorious acclamation and praise and all that comes when Jesus returns and sets Himself up as the King over the earth. And that whole recognition now as the Lord reigns finally over the earth. As His kingdom has now come and soon His will is to be done here on earth, even as it is in heaven. And we're going to enter in to this glorious new age. Oh, who can't say Praise the Lord to that? When we see the world as God wants it to be. When we dwell together in love. When we dwell together in peace. When we dwell together in just this full openness of love one to another. It's going to be glorious! "

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

In the eschatological day, the remnant will give thanks to Yahweh, pray to Him because of His character revealed in His behavior, and tell the Gentiles about His deeds. They will remind others from all over the world that He is an exalted Person, and will praise Him in song for His excellent actions.

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

In that day shall ye say, praise the Lord,.... On account of his being and perfections, for blessings received from him, especially spiritual ones; and particularly such as are before mentioned, fulness of grace in him, strength and salvation by him, a view of interest in him as a Saviour, and divine comforts communicated from him; which is done by giving him the glory of them, and thanks for them. This is a work very proper for Gospel times; it always was a duty, and there was ever reason for it under the former dispensation, and much more under the present one; and there will be still more reason for it in the latter day here referred to, when antichrist will be destroyed, the kingdom of Christ will be enlarged, and his church will be in a very glorious state and condition, her walls will be salvation, and her gates praise; when the saints will be stirring up one another to this service, and engaging in it with all readiness and cheerfulness; see Revelation 11:15:

call upon his name: which takes in the whole of religions worship, of which Christ is the object, being the true Jehovah; and particularly prayer, in which his name is invoked together with faith in him, and expressions of affection to his name; which is precious to believers, and is as ointment poured out:

declare his doings among the people; not merely his works of creation, in which he was equally concerned with his divine Father; nor so much his miracles which he wrought when on earth, in proof of his deity and Messiahship, and in confirmation of his doctrine; but his acts of obedience and righteousness, which were perfect; and his bearing the sins of his people, and the punishment due to them; and so fulfilled the whole law, and hereby accomplished the great work of redemption and salvation; which, according to his orders, have been published among the Gentiles, for their good, and his glory:

make mention that his name is exalted; that is, he himself, who has a name given him above every name; for having obeyed, suffered, and died in the room of his people, he is by his Father, according to promise, exalted, by raising him from the dead, receiving him into heaven, placing him at his right hand, giving him all power in heaven and in earth, and causing angels, authorities, principalities, and powers, to be subject to him; all which is to be made mention of, to the honour of his name: or else the sense is, to speak of him, to make mention of his name, of his person, of his offices, of his grace and salvation, that he may be exalted in each of them by his people; for he is, and ought to be, exalted in their hearts, and with their lips, since he is above all in the excellency of his person, and is their only Saviour and Redeemer, Head and Husband; and so he will be exalted more abundantly in the latter day. Revelation 11:15- :.

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      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.   5 Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.   6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

      This is the second part of this evangelical song, and to the same purport with the former; there believers stir up themselves to praise God, here they invite and encourage one another to do it, and are contriving to spread his praise and draw in others to join with them in it. Observe,

      I. Who are here called upon to praise God--the inhabitants of Zion and Jerusalem, whom God had in a particular manner protected from Sennacherib's violence, Isaiah 12:6; Isaiah 12:6. Those that have received distinguishing favours from God ought to be most forward and zealous in praising him. The gospel church is Zion. Christ is Zion's King. Those that have a place and a name in the church should lay out themselves to diffuse the knowledge of Christ and to bring many to him. Thou inhabitress of Zion; the word is feminine. Let the weaker sex be strong in the Lord, and out of their mouth praise shall be perfected.

      II. How they must praise the Lord. 1. By prayer: Call upon his name. As giving thanks for former mercy is a decent way of begging further mercy, so begging further mercy is graciously accepted as a thankful acknowledgment of the mercies we have received. In calling upon God's name we give unto him some of the glory that is due to his name as our powerful and bountiful benefactor. 2. By preaching and writing. We must not only speak to God, but speak to others concerning him, not only call upon his name, but (as the margin reads it) proclaim his name; let others know something more from us than they did before concerning God, and those things whereby he has made himself known. Declare his doings, his counsels (so some read it); the work of redemption is according to the counsel of his will, and in that and other wonderful works that he has done we must take notice of his thoughts which are to us-ward,Psalms 40:5. Declare these among the people, among the heathen, that they may be brought into communion with Israel and the God of Israel. When the apostles preached the gospel to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem, then this scripture was fulfilled, that his doings should be declared among the people and that what he has done should be known in all the earth. 3. By a holy exultation and transport of joy: "Cry out and shout; welcome the gospel to yourselves and publish it to others with huzzas and loud acclamations, as those that shout for victory (Exodus 32:18) or for the coronation of a king," Numbers 23:21.

      III. For what they must praise the Lord. 1. Because he has glorified himself. Remember it yourselves, and make mention of it to others, that his name is exalted, has become more illustrious and more conspicuous; in this every good man rejoices. 2. Because he has magnified his people: He has done excellent things for them, which make them look great and considerable. 3. Because he is, and will be, great among them: Great is the Holy One, for he is glorious in holiness; therefore great, because holy. True goodness is true greatness. He is great as the Holy One of Israel, and in the midst of them, praised by them (Psalms 76:1), manifesting himself among them, and appearing gloriously in their behalf. It is the honour and happiness of Israel that the God who is in covenant with them, and in the midst of them, is infinitely great.