Isaiah 12:1
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.
Isaiah 12:1 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse from the book of Isaiah reflects a comforting message of God's forgiveness and mercy towards his people. It speaks of a time when despite facing God's anger, one can still turn back to Him with praise and thanksgiving. The speaker acknowledges their past transgressions and God's righteous anger, yet they find solace in the fact that His anger has now turned away. This signifies a restoration of the relationship between the speaker and God, where comfort and forgiveness replace anger and punishment. It serves as a reminder of God's enduring love and grace, even in times of discipline. The verse conveys the idea that no matter how far one may have strayed, God is always ready to embrace them with open arms when they sincerely repent. It is a message of hope and redemption, emphasizing the transformative power of God's love and the assurance of His comfort in times of need.
Theological Overview
One theological interpretation of this verse is that it speaks to the nature of God's relationship with His people. The verse depicts a shift from God's anger towards His people to His comfort and restoration. In the context of the entire chapter, this verse comes after a time of discipline and judgment on God's people, but it concludes with a message of hope and redemption. This can be seen as a reflection of God's mercy and grace, as well as His desire for reconciliation with His people despite their shortcomings. The word "comfortedst" in this verse can be understood as God's act of bringing solace and relief to His people after a period of distress. This word study emphasizes the loving and compassionate nature of God, who not only forgives but also comforts and consoles His people in their time of need.
Isaiah 12:1 in other translations
American Standard Version
And in that day thou shalt say, I will give thanks unto thee, O Jehovah; for though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away and thou comfortest me.
World English Bible
In that day you will say, “I will give thanks to you, Yahweh; for though you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you comfort me.
Douay-Rheims
And thou shalt say in that day: I will give thanks to thee, O Lord, for thou wast angry with me: thy wrath is turned away, and thou hast comforted me.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And thou shalt say in that day, O Lord, I will prayse thee: though thou wast angrie with me, thy wrath is turned away, and thou comfortest me.