You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The most striking, non-obvious truth here is that God's anger is presented not as something to be merely endured, but as a necessary prelude to His comfort. The verse frames this discipline as the very means by which He brings solace, turning His righteous displeasure into the pathway for His deepest consolations.
You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This chapter marks a significant shift from the preceding judgment prophecies to a song of praise and hope. Following the detailed descriptions of God's impending judgment on nations and the future restoration of Israel under a new King, this verse introduces a collective declaration of thanksgiving by the redeemed people. It’s a response to God’s gracious salvation, acknowledging His past displeasure as a necessary discipline that ultimately led to comfort and restoration.
Imagine a moment of profound national crisis, followed by an unexpected, powerful deliverance. What does it mean to call that moment 'the day'?
The phrase 'in that day' in Isaiah 12:1 points to a future time of salvation and restoration. It's not just any day, but a specific, divinely appointed time when God intervenes powerfully in history.
We all experience God’s discipline, but what happens when that discipline gives way to His overwhelming comfort?
This verse beautifully captures a core truth about God's relationship with His people: His anger, which is a righteous response to sin, is not His final word. It ultimately turns toward comfort.
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Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God, revealed to Moses, emphasizing His eternal self-existence, faithfulness, and presence with His people.
anaph · Hebrew Verb
A feeling of strong displeasure or hostility, often used in Scripture to describe God’s righteous response to human sin and rebellion, which is satisfied through atonement or mercy.
nacham · Hebrew Verb
To relieve from distress or grief; in a divine context, it refers to God's compassionate restoration and encouragement of His people after judgment.
This song of praise in Isaiah 12 isn't just about a single historical event, but reflects the recurring pattern of God's discipline and comfort throughout Israel's history, finding its ultimate fulfillment in the Messianic age. It speaks to the deep human experience of acknowledging God's righteous anger in the face of sin, and then experiencing His profound comfort and restoration.
c. 722 BC— this verse
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian Empire under Sargon II conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, destroying its capital city, Samaria. This event marks the end of Israel as a separate kingdom and leads to the exile of its people.
c. 705-701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
Following the fall of Samaria, Assyria turns its attention to the southern Kingdom of Judah. King Sennacherib invades, capturing many cities but ultimately failing to take Jerusalem.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon begins deporting Judean elites and skilled workers to Babylon, initiating a period of growing Babylonian dominance over Judah.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar II destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, ending the Kingdom of Judah and exiling most of its remaining population.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
After the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, some exiled Judeans are allowed to return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding the Temple.
Messianic Age
Coming of the Messiah
The culmination of God's redemptive plan, bringing ultimate comfort, peace, and restoration to His people and all creation.
This passage speaks of God's anger lasting 'only a moment' but His favor for 'a lifetime,' reflecting the same theme of God's discipline being followed by His comfort and restoration.
Romans 5:8-11This New Testament passage echoes the sentiment that even while we were enemies (under God's 'anger'), Christ died for us, and now through Him we have received reconciliation and can boast in God, mirroring the transition from wrath to comfort.
Lamentations 3:31-33Here, the prophet acknowledges that God does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men, suggesting that His anger is a purposeful discipline, ultimately leading to His compassion and restoration, much like Isaiah 12:1.
2 Corinthians 7:9-11This passage describes how godly sorrow leads to repentance and salvation, a sorrow that doesn't cause despair but rather brings comfort, mirroring Isaiah's understanding of God's corrective anger leading to comfort.
wesleyIsaiah 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."
12:1 In that day - When this great work of the reduction of Israel, and conversion of the Gentiles is fulfilled.
barnesIsaiah 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."
And in that day - The day referred to in the previous chapter, the time of the Messiah, when the effects of his reign shall be seen everywhere. The duty of praise, however, is couched in such language as to make it applicable to the event predicted in the former part of the prophecy Isaiah 10 - the delivering of the nation from the invas…
The most striking, non-obvious truth here is that God's anger is presented not as something to be merely endured, but as a necessary prelude to His comfort. The verse frames this discipline as the very means by which He brings solace, turning His righteous displeasure into the pathway for His deepest consolations.
This chapter marks a significant shift from the preceding judgment prophecies to a song of praise and hope. Following the detailed descriptions of God's impending judgment on nations and the future restoration of Israel under a new King, this verse introduces a collective declaration of thanksgiving by the redeemed people. It’s a response to God’s gracious salvation, acknowledging His past displeasure as a necessary discipline that ultimately led to comfort and restoration.
This chapter marks a significant shift from the preceding judgment prophecies to a song of praise and hope. Following the detailed descriptions of God's impending judgment on nations and the future restoration of Israel under a new King, this verse introduces a collective declaration of thanksgiving by the redeemed people. It’s a response to God’s gracious salvation, acknowledging His past displeasure as a necessary discipline that ultimately led to comfort and restoration.
"You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me." — The most striking, non-obvious truth here is that God's anger is presented not as something to be merely endured, but as a necessary prelude to His comfort. The verse frames this discipline as the ve…
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Last reviewed October 2026