Isaiah 24:14-16
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The striking detail here is that amidst widespread devastation, the joy and praise erupt "from the sea," pointing west. This isn't a celebration happening in the ruins of the land, but from distant shores, indicating that hope and worship can arise even from places of exile or refuge, highlighting God's majesty reaching beyond the immediate catastrophe.
They lift up their voices, they sing for joy; over the majesty of the LORD they shout from the west. Therefore in the east give glory to the LORD; in the coastlands of the sea, give glory to the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise, of glory to the Righteous One. But I say, “I waste away, I waste away. Woe is me! For the traitors have betrayed, with betrayal the traitors have betrayed.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
In these verses, Isaiah paints a picture of widespread devastation and judgment upon the earth due to its sin. Yet, amidst this bleakness, a hopeful contrast emerges: a remnant will remain, lifting their voices in joyous praise to the Lord. This song of thanksgiving will resound from distant shores, particularly from the west and the islands of the sea, celebrating God's magnificent power and faithfulness.
When everything around is falling apart, where do songs of praise even come from?
This verse paints a picture of profound devastation (chapters 24-25 describe widespread destruction and judgment). Yet, amidst this ruin, a voice of joy rises. It's not coming from the heart of the destruction, but from its edges – 'from the sea,' pointing west, likely to islands and distant shores where people have fled.
This reminds us that God's faithfulness and presence aren't limited by our circumstances. Even when judgment falls, a remnant will be preserved, and their songs will echo from unexpected places, a testament to God's sovereign power and goodness in deliverance.
What exactly is it about God's 'majesty' that sparks such uncontainable joy?
The Hebrew word for 'majesty' here speaks to God's greatness, glory, and splendor. The people aren't just singing about escaping danger; they are singing for or because of God's magnificent character and power that brought about their rescue.
This highlights a crucial truth: true worship isn't merely a reaction to good fortune, but a response to who God is. When we grasp the sheer, awe-inspiring glory of the Lord – His power, His holiness, His steadfast love – it fuels a joy that can erupt even in the shadow of judgment. It's an understanding that God's inherent worth is the ultimate reason for our praise.
Understand the original words
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YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The divine name (YHWH) of the covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is the sovereign Creator and Judge of all the earth.
ge'ut · Hebrew Noun
Greatness, splendor, or dignity; often refers to God’s supreme character and sovereignty that demands awe and recognition.
kavod · Hebrew Verb (in imperative)
To ascribe honor, weight, or recognition to God; to acknowledge His supreme value, character, and status as the Creator and Redeemer.
Yisra'el · Hebrew Proper Noun
The historical and covenantal title of the nation chosen by God, through whom He revealed Himself to the world and promised the Messiah.
zemirah · Hebrew Noun
Songs of adoration and celebration directed toward God, acknowledging His worth, character, and works. In Scripture, praise is a primary response of the righteous to God's revelation.
kabod · Hebrew Noun
The weight, splendor, brilliance, and manifest presence of God. It signifies the outward expression of His internal essence and majesty.
tsaddiq · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
A title for God reflecting His perfect holiness, moral integrity, and justice. It signifies that He is the standard of righteousness and the One who acts in accordance with His nature.
oi · Hebrew Interjection
An interjection of profound grief, distress, or impending judgment. It signifies a state of misery or the pronouncement of divine condemnation.
bagad · Hebrew Verb/Noun
Individuals who act faithlessly against God or others, breaking covenants or trust. Biblically, it refers to those who persist in willful disobedience and rebellion against divine order.
This verse speaks to a hopeful future, even amidst widespread devastation and judgment. The 'singing from the sea' likely refers to the exiled Jewish communities, scattered across the Mediterranean, who would one day rejoice in God's faithfulness and power, even while Jerusalem faced destruction.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its inhabitants and scattering them throughout the empire. This event marked a significant period of exile and dispersion for the Israelites.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Southern Kingdom
The Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar conquers the southern kingdom of Judah, destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, and exiles a large portion of its population to Babylon.
c. 6th-5th century BC
Jewish Diaspora Expands
Following the exiles to Babylon and subsequent return, significant numbers of Jews settled in various regions around the Mediterranean, including Egypt, Asia Minor, and the Greek islands, forming communities known as the Dispersion.
c. 740-701 BC— this verse
Isaiah's Ministry and Prophecies
Isaiah prophesies during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, facing threats from Assyria and later Babylon. His messages often spoke of judgment but also included promises of future restoration and hope.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus's Edict and Return from Babylon
The Persian king Cyrus the Great issues a decree allowing exiled Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, marking the end of the Babylonian exile for many.
This passage describes people in ships on the sea crying out to the Lord in distress and then rejoicing when He brings them to their desired haven, mirroring the joy and praise sung by those in Isaiah 24:14 who cry out from the sea.
Isaiah 42:10-12Similar to Isaiah 24:14, this passage calls for singing and praise to the Lord, specifically mentioning those from distant lands and the coastlands, highlighting a global scope of worship.
Revelation 19:1-7This vision depicts a great multitude in heaven singing praises and shouting 'Hallelujah!' after the judgment of Babylon, resonating with the triumphant and joyful cries of praise found in Isaiah 24:14.
Psalm 98:1-4This psalm calls for singing a new song to the Lord, celebrating His salvation and righteousness, and explicitly states that 'the coastlands and their inhabitants' should sing, paralleling the cry from the sea in Isaiah.
barnesIsaiah 24:14: "They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea."
They shall lift up their voice - They who are left in the land; or who are not carried away to Babylon. 'To lift up the voice' in the Scriptures may denote either grief or joy; compare Genesis 21:6 ; 1 Samuel 24:16 ; Judges 2:4 ; Ruth 1:9 , ..., where to lift up the voice is conected with weeping; and Ezekiel 21:22 ; Psalm 93:3 ; Isaiah 40:29 ; Isaiah 42:11 , etc., whe…
cambridgeIsaiah 24:14: "They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea."
14 . They shall lift up their voice ] Rather: These lift up their voice . The pronoun at the beginning is emphatic and stands in contrast to the “I” of Isaiah 24:16 . they shall sing, for the majesty …] Better (following the accents) they shout: for the majesty of Jehovah they cry aloud , &c. The last words from the sea (i.e. the Mediterranean) point to the West as the…
The striking detail here is that amidst widespread devastation, the joy and praise erupt "from the sea," pointing west. This isn't a celebration happening in the ruins of the land, but from distant shores, indicating that hope and worship can arise even from places of exile or refuge, highlighting God's majesty reaching beyond the immediate catastrophe.
In these verses, Isaiah paints a picture of widespread devastation and judgment upon the earth due to its sin. Yet, amidst this bleakness, a hopeful contrast emerges: a remnant will remain, lifting their voices in joyous praise to the Lord. This song of thanksgiving will resound from distant shores, particularly from the west and the islands of the sea, celebrating God's magnificent power and faithfulness.
In these verses, Isaiah paints a picture of widespread devastation and judgment upon the earth due to its sin. Yet, amidst this bleakness, a hopeful contrast emerges: a remnant will remain, lifting their voices in joyous praise to the Lord. This song of thanksgiving will resound from distant shores, particularly from the west and the islands of the sea, celebrating God's magnificent power and faithfulness.
"They lift up their voices, they sing for joy; over the majesty of the LORD they shout from the west. Therefore in the east give glory to the LORD; in the coastlands of the sea, give glory to the name of the LORD, the God of…" — The striking detail here is that amidst widespread devastation, the joy and praise erupt "from the sea," pointing west. This isn't a celebration happening in the ruins of the land, but from distant s…
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Last reviewed October 2026
