Isaiah 65:14 kjv
Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.
Isaiah 65:14 nkjv
Behold, My servants shall sing for joy of heart, But you shall cry for sorrow of heart, And wail for grief of spirit.
Isaiah 65:14 niv
My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts, but you will cry out from anguish of heart and wail in brokenness of spirit.
Isaiah 65:14 esv
behold, my servants shall sing for gladness of heart, but you shall cry out for pain of heart and shall wail for breaking of spirit.
Isaiah 65:14 nlt
My servants will sing for joy,
but you will cry in sorrow and despair.
Isaiah 65 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 65:13 | Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, My servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry; behold, My servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty; behold, My servants shall rejoice, but you shall be ashamed; | Old Testament contrast of obedience and disobedience |
| Isa 61:6 | But you shall be called the priests of the LORD, Men shall speak of you as the ministers of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, And in their glory you shall boast. | New Covenant provision and blessing |
| Luke 1:53 | He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent empty away. | Jesus' song echoing this principle |
| Matt 5:6 | "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." | Blessing for spiritual hunger |
| John 6:35 | And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." | Jesus as ultimate provision |
| John 7:37 | On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. | Jesus offering living water |
| Rev 7:16 | "They shall neither hunger nor thirst, Neither will the sun strike them, Nor any heat; | Future perfect provision in heaven |
| Rev 21:4 | And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain, for the first things have passed away.” | Absence of suffering in the new creation |
| Jer 20:11 | But the LORD is with me as a mighty, awesome one. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not understand, an everlasting confusion will not be forgotten. | Shame for the wicked |
| Ps 25:2 | O my God, in You I trust, Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. | Trust in God brings deliverance from shame |
| Ps 31:1 | To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David. In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be put to shame; Deliver me in Your righteousness. | Prayer against shame |
| Prov 28:13 | He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. | Importance of confession to avoid ruin |
| Matt 13:42 | They will throw them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. | Future judgment and suffering |
| Luke 13:28 | "There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. | Exclusion from the kingdom |
| Heb 12:16 | Lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. | Esau's loss due to earthly desires |
| Ps 35:26 | Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion Who rejoice at my calamity; Let them be clothed also with shame and dishonor who exalt themselves against me. | Shame for adversaries |
| Jer 17:18 | Let them be confounded who persecute me, But let not me be confounded; Let them be dismayed, But let not me be dismayed; Bring on them the day of evil, And destroy them with double destruction! | Prayer for deliverance and adversary's shame |
| Ps 119:79 | Let those who fear You turn to me, Those who know Your testimonies. | Those who know God will align with the righteous |
| Ezek 36:32 | "Not for your sake do I do this," says the Lord GOD, "be it known to you. Be ashamed and humbled because of your evil ways, O house of Israel! | Shame as a result of sin |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; | The redeemed are called to proclaim God's praises |
Isaiah 65 verses
Isaiah 65 14 Meaning
The servants of the LORD will shout for joy from the abundance of His blessings and provision. Conversely, those who defy and disobey Him will cry out in sorrow and distress from the lack of His provision and presence.
Isaiah 65 14 Context
Isaiah chapter 65 continues the prophecy of judgment upon rebellious Judah and the future restoration of a remnant in a renewed creation. This specific verse contrasts the future destiny of God's faithful servants with the fate of those who have rejected Him. It is part of a larger section detailing the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth where God's people will experience everlasting joy and abundance, a stark contrast to the suffering and sorrow that will befall the disobedient. The prophecy is addressed to the people of Israel, offering both a warning and a promise, highlighting the ultimate consequences of their choices concerning their relationship with God.
Isaiah 65 14 Word Analysis
- "Behold,": An interjection calling attention, similar to "Look" or "See." It signals the importance of the following declaration, drawing the listener's focus to a significant revelation about the future.
- "my servants": Refers to those who are obedient and faithful to the LORD. This term signifies a relationship of service and loyalty to God.
- "shall shout for joy": From the Hebrew râna (רָנָּה), meaning "to cry out," "shout," "sing" often with great emotion, indicating exultation and happiness.
- "for the goodness of spirit": From the Hebrew tôv ruªh (טוֹב רוּחַ). Tôv means "good," "pleasing," "pleasant." Ruªh can mean "spirit," "wind," or "breath." Here, it signifies joy derived from a good spirit or emotional state resulting from divine blessing, a favorable disposition, or a glad heart.
- "and": A conjunction connecting two clauses.
- "for the leanness of spirit": From the Hebrew mîvªḥâh (מִבְּחָה) (in some translations "leanness"). Mivḥah refers to a lack of something, emptiness, or distress, suggesting an opposite condition to well-being.
- "shall cry": From the Hebrew tsâ‘aq (צָעַק), meaning "to cry out," "call out," typically in distress, pain, or desperation.
- "for vexation of spirit": From the Hebrew ‘êḇôr rûªḥ (עִבּוּר רוּחַ). ‘êḇôr relates to oppression or affliction. Rûªḥ again refers to spirit. This indicates deep anguish and torment of the soul.
Group Analysis: The verse presents a clear dichotomy. "My servants" (those loyal to God) will experience positive emotions, indicated by "shout for joy," linked to an internal state of well-being ("goodness of spirit"). In contrast, "you" (the disobedient) will "cry," implying negative emotions of pain and distress, stemming from an internal state of deprivation or affliction ("leanness/vexation of spirit"). This emphasizes that one's relationship with God is directly tied to one's ultimate experience of joy or sorrow.
Isaiah 65 14 Bonus Section
The contrast between "shouting for joy" and "crying" signifies not just emotional states, but entire life outcomes determined by one's alignment with God's will. The "goodness of spirit" speaks to the flourishing that occurs when one's innermost being is aligned with divine truth and grace, akin to spiritual health. The "leanness of spirit" (or vexation) reflects the desolate inner state of those who reject God's provision, a spiritual famine despite any potential material possessions. This verse points towards a future, definitive state of reward and recompense, where character and choices are ultimately reflected in eternal experience. The concept of a "good spirit" for the servants of God echoes the indwelling Holy Spirit who produces joy, peace, and fruitfulness (Galatians 5:22-23).
Isaiah 65 14 Commentary
This verse powerfully illustrates the spiritual consequences of one's relationship with God. For those who serve Him, there will be an abundant and joyful exultation arising from His favor and blessings, manifesting as inner gladness and well-being. This is not a superficial happiness but a deep contentment that comes from communion with God. Conversely, those who reject God will face a starkly different reality. Their cries will not be of joy, but of sorrow and distress, stemming from an inner emptiness and torment—the "leanness" or "vexation of spirit"—that results from being separated from the source of all goodness. The spiritual condition directly dictates the outward expression of either exultation or lamentation, underscoring the absolute reality of divine justice and the profound impact of obedience versus disobedience on the human soul.