Isaiah 12:4-6
And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. “Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This isn't just a call to thank God, but an urgent commission to proclaim His mighty acts. The verse emphasizes sharing these deeds "among the peoples," highlighting that God's salvation isn't meant to stay contained but to spread universally. It calls us to make His exalted name known not just through words, but through testifying to the world about what He has done.
This verse is part of a jubilant hymn of praise that follows prophecies of God's judgment and future restoration. Having just received assurance of salvation and comfort, the redeemed community is exhorted to actively express their joy. The hymn anticipates a future time when God's deliverance, particularly through the Messiah, will be known and celebrated by all nations.
This verse isn't just about personal gratitude; it's a mandate for public witness. What's the connection between praising God and telling others about Him?
Isaiah 12:4 lays out a beautiful progression:
Giving Thanks
It begins with "Give thanks to the LORD." This is the natural outflow of experiencing God's deliverance and comfort, as described in the preceding verses. It's a personal, heartfelt response to His goodness.
Calling and Declaring
But it doesn't stop there. The verse commands us to "call upon his name" and, crucially, to "make known his deeds among the peoples." This shifts from internal gratitude to external proclamation.
This isn't just a suggestion; it's presented as a natural, necessary response to experiencing God's salvation. The joy and comfort received are meant to overflow into the world.
Why is it so important that God's name be 'exalted'? And what does this have to do with people beyond Israel?
The final command in Isaiah 12:4 is to "proclaim that his name is exalted." This has profound implications:
The Exalted Name
To exalt God's name means to acknowledge and declare His supreme worth, majesty, and glory. It's recognizing Him for who He is – above all creation, powerful, holy, and worthy of all praise.
A Universal Call
Understand the original words
qara' · Hebrew Verb
To invoke or appeal to God in prayer, recognizing His authority and relying on His character; it is a central act of covenantal relationship.
shem · Hebrew Noun
God’s reputation, character, and authority as revealed to humanity; to exalt His name is to magnify His fame and sovereignty.
sagab · Hebrew Verb
To lift up, make high, or declare as supreme; it reflects the recognition of God’s absolute sovereignty and unmatched glory.
zamar · Hebrew Verb
To sing songs of praise or celebration in honor of God, acknowledging His mighty deeds and righteous character.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah's Prophetic Ministry Begins
Isaiah begins his prophetic ministry during a period of political uncertainty and impending Assyrian threat to the Northern Kingdom of Israel and Judah. This context shapes his message of judgment and future hope.
c. 734-732 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War
The Arameans and the Northern Kingdom of Israel attempt to force Judah into an anti-Assyrian alliance. Isaiah advises King Ahaz to trust God, but Ahaz seeks Assyrian help, leading to further foreign influence.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian Empire under Sargon II conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many inhabitants and effectively ending its existence as an independent nation. This event serves as a stark warning to Judah.
c. 705-701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, conquering many fortified cities and besieging Jerusalem. The prophet Isaiah provides counsel to King Hezekiah during this crisis.
c. 701 BC
This passage directly echoes Isaiah 12:4, showing that the call to declare God's deeds and make His name known among the nations is a long-standing directive rooted in Israel's worship and remembrance of God's actions.
Psalm 105:1The phrasing in Isaiah 12:4 is nearly identical to Psalm 105:1, highlighting that the act of giving thanks and proclaiming God's deeds is a continuous theme in Israel's praise and a fundamental expression of faith.
Matthew 28:19-20Jesus' Great Commission directly fulfills Isaiah's directive to 'make known His deeds among the peoples,' commissioning His followers to spread God's message globally and teach all nations, echoing the vision of God's exalted name being known everywhere.
Acts 1:8This verse describes the disciples being empowered to be witnesses of Jesus, starting in Jerusalem and extending to the ends of the earth, which is a powerful outworking of the call in Isaiah to 'make known His deeds among the peoples' and proclaim His exalted name.
Psalm 46:10The command to 'make mention that His name is exalted' finds resonance here, as the Psalmist calls for stillness and recognition of God's sovereign power and elevated status among the nations.
barnesIsaiah 12:4: "And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted."
And in that day - (see Isaiah 12:1 ). Call upon his name - Margin, 'Proclaim.' It denotes to call upon him in the way of celebrating his praise. The whole hymn is one of praise, and not of prayer. Declare among the people - Among all people, that they may be brought to see his glory, and join in the celebration of his praise. His doings -…
pooleIsaiah 12:4: "And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted."
Among the people; in all the earth, as it follows, Isaiah 12:5 ; unto the Gentile world, who shall partake in the blessing, and will join with you in the praising of God for it. The knowledge of this glorious work of our redemption
This isn't just a call to thank God, but an urgent commission to proclaim His mighty acts. The verse emphasizes sharing these deeds "among the peoples," highlighting that God's salvation isn't meant to stay contained but to spread universally. It calls us to make His exalted name known not just through words, but through testifying to the world about what He has done.
This verse is part of a jubilant hymn of praise that follows prophecies of God's judgment and future restoration. Having just received assurance of salvation and comfort, the redeemed community is exhorted to actively express their joy. The hymn anticipates a future time when God's deliverance, particularly through the Messiah, will be known and celebrated by all nations.
This verse is part of a jubilant hymn of praise that follows prophecies of God's judgment and future restoration. Having just received assurance of salvation and comfort, the redeemed community is exhorted to actively express their joy. The hymn anticipates a future time when God's deliverance, particularly through the Messiah, will be known and celebrated by all nations.
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The context here is critical. This isn't just for the people of Israel; it's to be proclaimed "among the peoples" and that His name is "exalted." This points to God's redemptive plan not being confined to one nation.
This prophetic vision anticipates a time when the knowledge of God's saving work would spread far beyond Israel's borders, a promise fulfilled in the New Testament.
tsahal · Hebrew Verb
To cry out or proclaim aloud, often associated with a joyful, ringing cry of victory, triumph, or religious acclamation before God.
ranan · Hebrew Verb
To express delight, gladness, or triumph. It often refers to a loud, vocal expression of happiness, especially in the context of praising God for His salvation or presence.
yashav Tsiyon · Hebrew Noun/Participle
A designation for the people living in or associated with Zion (Jerusalem). Biblically, Zion represents the dwelling place of God and the city of the Great King, signifying the community of the faithful.
qadosh Yisra'el · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A primary title for God, emphasizing His transcendent purity, majesty, and moral perfection, as well as His covenant relationship with His people. He is set apart from all creation in His holiness yet actively involved in the life of Israel.
Jerusalem's Deliverance
The Assyrian army besieging Jerusalem is miraculously struck down by the Angel of the Lord. This dramatic deliverance becomes a foundational event for future hymns of praise and thanksgiving, leading to the
"And you will say in that day:
“Give thanks to the LORD,
call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples,
proclaim that his name is exalted. “Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously;…" — This isn't just a call to thank God, but an urgent commission to *proclaim* His mighty acts. The verse emphasizes sharing these deeds "among the peoples," highlighting that God's salvation isn't mean…