Isaiah 12

Chap. XII. Ver. 1—6. A song of triumph in God’s salvation.—“This hymn (says Bishop Lowth) seems, by its whole tenor,…. much better calculated for the use of the Christian church, than for the Jewish, in any circumstances, or at any time that can be assigned. The Jews themselves seem to have applied it to the times of the Messiah. On the last day of the feast of tabernacles, they fetched water in a golden pitcher from the fountain of Shiloah, springing at the foot of mount Sion, without the city: they brought it through the watergate into the temple, and poured it, mixed with wine, on the sacrifice, as it lay on the altar, with great rejoicing.” Some add, that during this ceremony, they sung at least a part of this hymn, (ver. 3.) looking forward to the gift of the Holy Spirit, which they expected in the times of the Messiah, and of which this ceremony was a very significant emblem. Thus the Jerusalem Talmud expounds it, and in this sense our Saviour applies the passage to himself, and to the blessings of gospel times. (See (John 7:37, 39).)

Notes on the verses

Chap. XII. Ver. 1. Comfortedst.—Lowth, “Hast comforted.” Ver. 3. Wells of salvation.—The purifying, fertilizing, and consolatory influences of the Holy Spirit are commonly denoted, under the emblem of springing water. This water flows through the mediatory work of Christ, and is conveyed to the souls of men by the ordinances of God’s worship. When the gospel is preached in any place, “wells of salvation” are opened, which communicate with the Fountain of life in Christ: and in the predicted times, this Fountain of life, and these “wells of salvation,” though long hidden from Israel, will be discovered to them, and they will praise God with joyful hearts. The Jews themselves seem to have applied it to the times of the Messiah.—T. Scott. * Ver. 4. Praise, &c.—See (1 Chronicles 16:8).—His doings.—Lowth, “His mighty deeds.” Ver. 6. Inhabitant.—Heb. “Inhabitress.” >