King James Version

What Does Isaiah 12:1 Mean?

Isaiah 12:1 in the King James Version says “And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, ... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And in that day 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 · KJV


Context

1

And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.

2

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

3

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Chapter 12 is a salvation song celebrating deliverance. 'In that day' points to the Messianic age. 'Though thou wast angry with me' acknowledges past judgment was deserved. 'Thine anger is turned away' celebrates reconciliation. 'Thou comfortedst me' emphasizes God's tender care after discipline. This models appropriate response to salvation: acknowledging past wrath, celebrating present grace, praising God's comfort. The progression from wrath to comfort describes every believer's experience—from judgment to justification through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Written anticipating return from exile and ultimate Messianic salvation. New Testament believers sing this reality—once under wrath (Ephesians 2:3), now comforted through Christ (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). The church's worship fulfills this prophecy, celebrating God's anger being turned away through Christ's propitiation. Every testimony of salvation echoes this pattern: acknowledgment of deserved wrath, celebration of experienced grace.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does remembering past wrath increase appreciation for present grace?
  2. What is the relationship between God's anger being turned away and Christ's atoning sacrifice?
  3. How do we express worship that acknowledges both God's justice in judgment and mercy in salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֙1 of 11

thou shalt say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בַּיּ֣וֹם2 of 11

And in that day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֔וּא3 of 11
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

אוֹדְךָ֣4 of 11

I will praise

H3034

physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha

יְהוָ֔ה5 of 11

O LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כִּ֥י6 of 11
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אָנַ֖פְתָּ7 of 11

thee though thou wast angry

H599

to breathe hard, i.e., be enraged

בִּ֑י8 of 11
H0
יָשֹׁ֥ב9 of 11

is turned away

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אַפְּךָ֖10 of 11

with me thine anger

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

וּֽתְנַחֲמֵֽנִי׃11 of 11

and thou comfortedst

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 12:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 12:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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