Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This isn't just a command to be loud; the Hebrew words for "cry out" and "shout" suggest an exultant, almost unrestrained outpouring of joy, like a horse neighing for delight. It’s about expressing the overwhelming gladness that comes from the Holy One's active presence right there with you.
Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse serves as the triumphant conclusion to a psalm of praise that follows God's deliverance and judgment. After recounting past hardships and God's faithfulness, the passage shifts to a joyful celebration of God's presence among His people. This final stanza calls for enthusiastic rejoicing, emphasizing that the source of their exultation is the mighty presence of the Holy One of Israel dwelling right there with them.
Why does the prophet tell the people of Zion to 'shout and sing for joy'? It’s more than just a polite suggestion; it's a divine command fueled by an incredible reality.
The passage opens with a powerful call to express extreme joy: 'Cry out and shout!' The Hebrew words used here suggest sounds of exultation, like the neighing of a horse or a loud, clear cry of happiness.
This isn't a quiet, reserved gladness. It's an overflowing, unrestrained celebration. The prophet is calling for a response that matches the magnitude of God's actions and His presence. Think of it as the sound of a victory parade – pure, unadulterated joy!
This kind of joy isn't just for a select few; it's for 'the inhabitant of Zion,' which refers to the entire community, the restored people of God. It's a collective expression of thanks and celebration.
The reason for this ecstatic joy is found in the reason 'for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.' What makes God's presence so impactful?
The heart of this verse, the fuel for all that shouting and singing, is the declaration: 'for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.' This isn't just a statement of fact; it's the core reason for celebration.
God's greatness isn't an abstract concept; it's personal and present. He is the 'Holy One of Israel'—set apart, perfect, and actively involved with His people. The fact that He, in His immense holiness and power, dwells among them is the ultimate cause for joy.
This presence is the source of salvation, protection, and all spiritual blessings. When we truly grasp the overwhelming greatness of God living within His people (and ultimately, within us through Christ!), our response will naturally be one of deep, resounding joy.
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Understand the original words
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.
This passage from Isaiah 12 is a song of joyous praise and confidence, spoken after a great deliverance. It directly echoes the relief experienced by Jerusalem when the Assyrian army under Sennacherib mysteriously retreated in 701 BC, sparing the city from destruction despite overwhelming odds. The prophet uses this historical moment to point to God's powerful presence and faithfulness as the ultimate source of salvation and security for His people.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah prophesies during turmoil
Isaiah begins his ministry in Judah amidst political instability, with the powerful Assyrian empire rising in the East.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The northern kingdom of Israel falls to Assyria, leading to the exile of its people and a stark warning for Judah.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib's invasion
Assyrian king Sennacherib invades Judah, captures many cities, and besieges Jerusalem, but miraculously withdraws.
c. 626 BC
Rise of Babylon
The Neo-Babylonian Empire emerges as a new power, eventually challenging Assyria.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Babylon conquers Judah, destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, and exiles the remaining population.
This passage echoes the command to 'shout for joy' found in Isaiah 12:6, calling for all the earth to make a joyful noise to the Lord with music and singing.
Zephaniah 3:14Similar to Isaiah's call to Zion, Zephaniah urges the daughter of Zion to sing aloud and rejoice, highlighting God's presence among His people as the reason for their exultation.
John 1:14This New Testament verse powerfully states that 'the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,' directly fulfilling the prophecy of the Holy One of Israel being great in the midst of His people, as declared in Isaiah 12:6.
Matthew 28:20Jesus' promise to be 'with you always, to the end of the age' is a direct assurance of His ongoing presence, echoing the truth in Isaiah 12:6 that the Holy One is 'in the midst of thee,' bringing continuous reason for joy.
Philippians 4:4This verse commands believers to 'rejoice in the Lord always,' a sentiment that resonates with Isaiah's call to shout and sing for joy because of the great presence of the Holy One.
barnesIsaiah 12:6: "Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee."
Cry out - (צהלי tsahalı̂y). This word is usually applied to the neighing of a horse Jeremiah 5:8 ; Jeremiah 8:16 . It is also used to express joy, pleasure, exultation, by a clear and loud sound of the voice Isaiah 10:30 ; Isaiah 12:6 ; Isaiah 14:14 ; Isaiah 54:1 ; Jeremiah 31:7 ; Jeremiah 50:11 . It is here synonymous with the numerous passages in the Psalms, and elsewhere, whe…
ellicottIsaiah 12:6: "Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee."
(6) Thou inhabitant of Zion. —The Hebrew is feminine. The inhabitant is the daughter of Zion, the restored Church, that has Zion for her dwelling-place. Great is the Holy One of Israel . . .—The hymn ends with the Divine Name which is characteristic of Isaiah. The presence of the Holy One was to be a joy and blessing to the remnant who were worthy of their calling. With this hymn…
This isn't just a command to be loud; the Hebrew words for "cry out" and "shout" suggest an exultant, almost unrestrained outpouring of joy, like a horse neighing for delight. It’s about expressing the overwhelming gladness that comes from the Holy One's active presence right there with you.
This verse serves as the triumphant conclusion to a psalm of praise that follows God's deliverance and judgment. After recounting past hardships and God's faithfulness, the passage shifts to a joyful celebration of God's presence among His people. This final stanza calls for enthusiastic rejoicing, emphasizing that the source of their exultation is the mighty presence of the Holy One of Israel dwelling right there with them.
This verse serves as the triumphant conclusion to a psalm of praise that follows God's deliverance and judgment. After recounting past hardships and God's faithfulness, the passage shifts to a joyful celebration of God's presence among His people. This final stanza calls for enthusiastic rejoicing, emphasizing that the source of their exultation is the mighty presence of the Holy One of Israel dwelling right there with them.
"Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”" — This isn't just a command to be loud; the Hebrew words for "cry out" and "shout" suggest an exultant, almost unrestrained outpouring of joy, like a horse neighing for delight. It’s about expressing t…
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Last reviewed October 2026