King James Version

What Does Isaiah 25:9 Mean?

Isaiah 25:9 in the King James Version says “And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

Isaiah 25:9 · KJV

Salvation

Context

7

And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. destroy: Heb. swallow up cast: Heb. covered

8

He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

9

And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

10

For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill . trodden down under: or, threshed, etc trodden down for: or, threshed in Madmenah

11

And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim: and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands.

Read Isaiah 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us (הִנֵּה אֱלֹהֵינוּ זֶה קִוִּינוּ לוֹ וְיוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ)—The demonstrative pronoun zeh (this one) conveys joyful recognition: this is the God we longed for! The verb qivvinu (we waited, hoped) in piel stem indicates patient, expectant waiting. This is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation—The parallelism repeats the waiting motif with added response: nagilah ve-nismechah (we will rejoice and be glad). The Hebrew word order emphasizes action: 'Let us be glad! Let us rejoice!'

This verse captures the eschatological climax: vindication after suffering, deliverance after oppression, joy after sorrow. The repeated 'we have waited' honors patient faith that endures despite delay. Abraham waited (Hebrews 6:15), Moses endured (Hebrews 11:27), prophets inquired and searched (1 Peter 1:10-11). The verb yasha (save) connects to Jesus's name—Yeshua (Salvation). This prophetic song finds ultimate fulfillment when Christ returns: 'This is our God for whom we waited—Jesus!' The wedding feast begins (Revelation 19:7-9), tears are wiped away (21:4), and eternal gladness replaces earthly sorrow.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah wrote during Assyrian crisis (8th century BC) when faithful Jews questioned whether God would fulfill covenant promises. The 'waiting' theme resonates with exiles longing for restoration, persecuted Christians awaiting Christ's return, and all believers groaning for redemption's completion (Romans 8:23-25). Each generation waits, and each finds partial fulfillment pointing to final fulfillment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to 'wait for God'—how is this different from passive resignation or active presumption?
  2. How does patient waiting for God's salvation develop faith and character in ways immediate deliverance cannot?
  3. What will it feel like to finally say 'Lo, this is our God!' when Christ appears—and how does hope of that joy sustain present suffering?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְאָמַר֙1 of 16

“And it shall be said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בַּיּ֣וֹם2 of 16

“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 16
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

הִנֵּ֨ה4 of 16
H2009

lo!

אֱלֹהֵ֥ינוּ5 of 16

“Lo this is our God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

זֶ֛ה6 of 16
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

קִוִּ֣ינוּ7 of 16

“we have waited”

H6960

to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect

ל֖וֹ8 of 16
H0
וְיֽוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נוּ9 of 16

“for him and he will save”

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

זֶ֤ה10 of 16
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

יְהוָה֙11 of 16

“us this is the LORD”

H3068

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

קִוִּ֣ינוּ12 of 16

“we have waited”

H6960

to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect

ל֔וֹ13 of 16
H0
נָגִ֥ילָה14 of 16

“for him we will be glad”

H1523

properly, to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion), i.e., usually rejoice, or (as cringing) fear

וְנִשְׂמְחָ֖ה15 of 16

“and rejoice”

H8055

probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome

בִּישׁוּעָתֽוֹ׃16 of 16

“in his salvation”

H3444

something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity

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 25:9 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 25:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 27:14Genesis 49:18Micah 7:7Isaiah 26:8-9Isaiah 35:2Psalms 20:5

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