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 powerful proclamation of God's redeemed people being a testament to His power. They are declared as His possession and His glory, signifying a deep spiritual union and the manifestation of God's presence among them.

Isaiah 44 23 Context

Isaiah 44 is situated within the latter half of the book of Isaiah, which shifts focus to future redemption and restoration for Israel, particularly after their Babylonian exile. The chapter begins with a powerful denunciation of idolatry, contrasting the impotence of man-made gods with the sovereignty of the Lord. It emphasizes God's unique power, His ability to create, redeem, and sustain His people. Verses like 21-23 encourage Israel to remember their redemption, acknowledging God as their maker and redeemer. Verse 23, in particular, directly follows God's assurance of His people's remembrance and declaration of His praise, highlighting the resultant outcome for them.

Isaiah 44 23 Word Analysis

• "Sing" (Hebrew: rānnĕnū, רָנְּנוּ) - Imperative, plural. Expresses joyous exultation, a cry of triumph or rejoicing.
• "O ye" (Hebrew: hāy — , הָי) - Exclamatory particle used to call out.
• "Mountains" (Hebrew: hārîm, הָרִים) - Plural of har (mountain). Metaphorically represents places of significance, public platforms, or centers of habitation. In prophetic literature, mountains can also symbolize nations or kingdoms.
• "Be joyful" (Hebrew: šīrû, שִׁירוּ) - Imperative, plural. Similar to sing, implying joyful singing or making music.
• "With" (Hebrew: bĕ, בְּ) - Preposition. Indicates association or instrumentality.
• "Forest" (Hebrew: ╷y—v‘at sē', עֵץ סָבִיב) - Lit. "tree of surrounding." Refers to the trees or thickets within a forest. Represents nature, the wilderness, or perhaps the fullness of creation.
• "The forest" (Hebrew: ╷y—v‘at, עֵץ) - Tree. Plural form.
• "For" (Hebrew: kî, כִּי) - Conjunction. Indicates reason or causality.
• "The LORD" (Hebrew: Yĕhowâ, יְהוָה) - The personal covenant name of God.
• "hath redeemed" (Hebrew: gā’al, גָּאַל) - Qal perfect tense. To act as a kinsman redeemer, to ransom, to buy back, to liberate through purchase. This points to God's redemptive actions on behalf of Israel, securing their freedom.
• "Jacob" (Hebrew: Ya‘ăqōḇ, יַעֲקֹב) - Refers to the patriarch Jacob and by extension, the nation of Israel descended from him.
• "and glorify" (Hebrew: wĕṯĕp‘ā’rū, וְתִפְאֲרוּ) - Vavel consecutive perfect tense from pᵆā’r (to be glorious, adorn, glory in). The imperative sense from the context is that God's people are to adorn themselves with glory or display God's glory.
• "Israel" (Hebrew: Yiśrā’ēl, יִשְׂרָאֵל) - The covenant people of God.

Word-Group Analysis:

• "Sing, O ye mountains... be joyful": The imperative "sing" and "be joyful" addressed to inanimate natural elements (mountains, forest) is a literary device (personification) that extends the call for praise to all creation, acknowledging that God's redemption impacts the entire cosmos.
• "For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified Israel": This phrase encapsulates the core message. God's redemptive act (implied from exile or Egypt) is the basis for His people's glory and rejoicing. The redemption of Jacob and the glorification of Israel are intrinsically linked, showing that God's salvific actions are for His people, to manifest His own glory through them.

Isaiah 44 23 Bonus Section

The concept of God's glory (kābôd, כָּבוֹד) being manifested through His redeemed people is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. It suggests that when God's people are obedient, faithful, and reflect His character, they become living epistles that testify to His greatness. The prophetic call to creation itself to rejoice with Israel emphasizes that God’s redemption is an event of cosmic significance, not limited to humanity but echoing throughout the created order. The contrast with the impotent idols discussed earlier in the chapter is stark; while idols are lifeless, God is the life-giving, world-redeeming Lord. Thus, the rejoicing of creation is a testimony to God's supreme power and authority over all things, affirmed by His faithful dealings with His chosen people. This verse foreshadows the New Testament understanding of the church as the redeemed community through whom God's manifold wisdom and glory are made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places (Eph 3:10).

Isaiah 44 23 Commentary

This verse is a resounding call to universal celebration in response to God's profound redemptive acts for His people, Israel. The mountains and forests, as representatives of creation, are summoned to join in joyous praise. This imagery signifies that God's salvation is not merely a historical event but a cosmic one that impacts all of existence. The reason for this celebration is the Lord's personal and decisive act of redemption for Jacob, leading to the glorification of Israel. Redemption here speaks to liberation and the restoration of God's people to a place of honor and favor. The term "glorified" indicates that God’s people are made to reflect His glory. It’s about being set apart and exalted because of His mighty deeds on their behalf. This verse emphasizes that God’s people are not just recipients of salvation, but they are also meant to be a visible demonstration of His power and faithfulness to the world.

Practical examples of glorifying God through our being and actions, as alluded to by this verse and amplified in the New Testament:

• Public Declaration: Speaking boldly of God's goodness and redemptive work in our lives and history.
• Joyful Worship: Participating wholeheartedly in communal worship, expressing genuine joy and gratitude for salvation.
• Living Transformed Lives: Allowing the work of God in us to change our character, making us reflections of His holiness and love.
• Serving Others: Ministering to those in need, demonstrating Christ's love in practical ways, bringing glory to God.