Isaiah 44 23

Isaiah 44:23 kjv

Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.

Isaiah 44:23 nkjv

Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth; Break forth into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, And glorified Himself in Israel.

Isaiah 44:23 niv

Sing for joy, you heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, you earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the LORD has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel.

Isaiah 44:23 esv

Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done it; shout, O depths of the earth; break forth into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and will be glorified in Israel.

Isaiah 44:23 nlt

Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done this wondrous thing.
Shout for joy, O depths of the earth!
Break into song,
O mountains and forests and every tree!
For the LORD has redeemed Jacob
and is glorified in Israel.

Isaiah 44 verses

Isaiah 44 23 Meaning

This verse is a fervent call to all creation—from the highest heavens to the deepest earth, including mountains, forests, and every tree—to burst forth in joyful song and triumphant shouts. The reason for this universal celebration is twofold: first, the Lord (Yahweh) has fully accomplished His redemptive work for His people, Jacob (Israel), declaring it as "done"; and second, through this act of redemption, He has brought glory to Himself among Israel, displaying His power and faithfulness. It signifies a profound, comprehensive declaration of God's completed salvation and His self-exaltation through it.

Isaiah 44 23 Context

Isaiah 44:23 is situated within a broader section of Isaiah (chapters 40-55) known for its messages of comfort, restoration, and the future glory of Israel. This particular verse immediately follows a strong declaration against the futility and foolishness of idol worship (Isa 44:9-20) and a tender invitation for Israel to return to God, who blots out their transgressions (Isa 44:21-22). Against the backdrop of Israel's current despair in exile and the emptiness of foreign gods, this verse serves as a climactic burst of joyful anticipation. It proclaims God's ultimate victory and redemption as a fait accompli, a deed already performed in God's eternal plan, though yet to be fully manifested historically for the exiles. It also anticipates the global recognition of God's power as Creator and Redeemer, affirming His covenant faithfulness.

Isaiah 44 23 Word analysis

• Sing (רָנְּנ֗וּ - ran'nū): An imperative verb, commanding enthusiastic, joyous praise, often associated with shouting or a ringing cry. It's not a mere gentle melody but an outpouring of exuberant, audible celebration. It demands participation.
• O heavens (שָׁמַ֤יִם - shamayim): Refers to the visible sky and the entire celestial sphere. By addressing the heavens, the prophet emphasizes the cosmic, universal scope of the command and the significance of God's action.
• for the Lord has done it (כִּֽי־ עָשָׂ֖ה יְהוָ֑ה - kī- 'asāh YHWH):
  • כִּֽי (kī): "For," indicating the reason or ground for the command to sing.
  • עָשָׂה ('asāh): "Has done/made." This verb is in the Qal perfect tense in Hebrew, indicating a completed action. In a prophetic context, this speaks to the absolute certainty and settled nature of God's future act of redemption. From God's perspective, it is already as good as done.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH - Yahweh): The covenant name of God, revealing Him as the personal, faithful, and redemptive God of Israel, distinct from the powerless idols mentioned previously.
• shout (הָרִ֙יעוּ֙ - hārī'ū): Another imperative, signifying a loud, triumphant, and joyous cry, often used for war shouts or cultic praise. It complements "sing," conveying a boisterous declaration of victory.
• O depths of the earth (תַּחְתִּיּ֣וֹת אָ֔רֶץ - taḥtīyōt 'āreṣ): Literally "the lowest parts of the earth." This denotes the deepest, hidden places, perhaps even symbolizing the underworld or simply the very core of the planet. Paired with "heavens," it signifies the absolute totality of creation responding.
• break forth into singing (פִּצְח֥וּ רָנָּ֖ה - piṣḥū rannāh):
  • פִּצְח֥וּ (piṣḥū): "Burst open, break forth." An imperative commanding an explosive, uncontained release of expression.
  • רָנָּ֖ה (rannāh): "A ringing cry, singing." The noun form of the earlier verb "sing," further intensifying the call for joyous vocal praise.
• O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! (הָרִ֤ים וְיָ֙עַר֙ וְכָל־ עֵ֣ץ בּוֹ֙ - hārīm wəyā'ar wəḵāl- 'ēṣ bō): A detailed enumeration of natural elements. This poetic personification makes the command highly vivid and emphasizes that no part of the created order is excluded from this rejoicing. It represents the visible, tangible aspects of creation.
• redeemed (גָּאַ֤ל - ga'al): Refers to the act of "buying back," "delivering," "ransoming," or acting as a "kinsman-redeemer." This is a crucial theological term, emphasizing God's proprietary rights and loving action towards His people. It signifies not just liberation but restoration to a rightful, holy relationship.
• Jacob (יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב - Ya'ăqōḇ): Here, "Jacob" represents the collective nation of Israel, the descendants of Jacob, God's chosen covenant people.
• glorified Himself (יִתְפָּאָֽר - yitpā'ār): From the verb "פּאר" (pa'ar), meaning "to adorn, glorify, beautify." In the Hitpa'el stem, it signifies to glorify oneself, to be glorified, or to boast. God displays His majestic beauty, power, and nature through His redemptive acts concerning Israel. This self-glorification is not vanity but the display of His inherent excellence.
• in Israel (וּבְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל - ūḇəyiśrā'ēl): Specifies that Israel is the stage or medium through which God's glory will be manifested to the world. Their redemption is a living testimony to His character.

• "Sing, O heavens... shout, O depths of the earth... break forth into singing, O mountains...": This is an emphatic use of poetic personification and hyperbole. It extends the call to praise beyond humanity to the entire cosmos, underscoring the monumental, universe-shattering nature of God's impending deed. It contrasts sharply with the deafening silence of idols.
• "for the Lord has done it": This phrase functions as the core declaration. It asserts divine agency, completion, and authority. The future act of redemption is presented with certainty, a divine fiat that cannot be undone. It acts as an anchor for the people's hope amidst despair.
• "For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in Israel": This paired statement gives the twin motivations for creation's exuberant praise. God's redemptive work for His people (Jacob/Israel) is not just for their benefit but is intrinsically tied to His own glory. The redemption is a vehicle for the revelation of God's character and splendor to the world.

Isaiah 44 23 Bonus section

This verse carries immense eschatological weight, anticipating not just the physical return from Babylon but ultimately, the full spiritual redemption of Israel and all believers through Christ. The call for creation to sing foreshadows Romans 8, where creation itself yearns for the revelation of the children of God, expecting liberation from bondage to decay. God's act of "redeeming Jacob" finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, the Redeemer of all who believe. Moreover, the emphasis on God glorifying Himself in Israel (or His people) highlights a fundamental biblical principle: human redemption is not solely for human comfort, but primarily for the display of God's magnificent attributes. This concept reverberates through the New Testament, where believers are called to glorify God in their bodies and lives, reflecting the glory they have received from Christ. The use of personification here, where mountains and trees sing, illustrates that even inanimate objects bear witness to God's magnificent deeds, if only humanity would discern them.

Isaiah 44 23 Commentary

Isaiah 44:23 is a majestic prophetic crescendo, calling all of creation to erupt in jubilant praise. The reason for this cosmic celebration is God's decisive act of redemption for His chosen people, Israel, which is spoken of as already "done" in divine decree, assuring its certainty despite the exilic present. This "doing" is specifically God's 'buying back' and delivering Jacob. Through this powerful rescue, God magnifies His own glory and character to all, demonstrating His unmatched sovereignty over both history and creation, and powerfully refuting the impotence of any rival gods. The profound depth and breadth of this praise, spanning from heaven to earth, underlines the unparalleled significance of Yahweh's work of salvation, making it an eternal display of His power and faithfulness.