Isaiah 44:23
Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done it; shout, O depths of the earth; break forth into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and will be glorified in Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse isn't just calling for a cheer; it's an epic cosmic shout-out! The prophet calls on all of creation—heavens, earth, mountains, forests—to celebrate because God's redemption of Israel is so monumental, it’s an event of cosmic significance. It shows that God's work is so powerful, it affects the very fabric of existence, making everything rejoice.
This passage erupts with joy following God's declaration of His power and faithfulness in chapters 44 and 45, which include the commissioning of Cyrus to bring about Israel's liberation. The prophet calls on all of creation, from the highest heavens to the deepest earth, to join in celebrating God's mighty act of redeeming His people from exile and establishing His glory in them. This climactic declaration of divine action sets the stage for the ongoing narrative of restoration and God's ultimate triumph.
Why does Isaiah call on the heavens, mountains, and forests to sing? What does this grand, cosmic invitation reveal about God's work?
Isaiah uses vivid personification, calling on all of creation—from the highest heavens to the deepest parts of the earth, the mountains, and even the trees—to burst into song. This isn't just poetic flourish; it's a profound statement about the magnitude of God's actions.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Isaiah 44:23 is available in the Sola app.
The verse states, 'for the LORD has done it.' What is this 'it' that creation is celebrating?
The phrase 'the LORD has done it' points to a specific, monumental act of salvation. In the context of Isaiah, this 'it' primarily refers to the LORD's promised redemption of Jacob—His people—from their exile in Babylon and His subsequent glorification through this act.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the God of Israel, revealed to Moses, signifying His self-existence, eternal nature, and covenant faithfulness. It is the holiest name, often translated as 'LORD' in English Bibles.
kabad · Hebrew Verb
To make manifest or reveal the splendor, majesty, and moral character of God; it refers to the outward display of God's inherent worth and honor as acknowledged by His creation.
This verse bursts forth with exultation at the imminent fulfillment of God's promise of redemption and restoration from the Babylonian exile. The anticipation of Cyrus's victory over Babylon, the very event that would set God's people free, fills the prophet with such joy that all of creation is called to join in the celebration. It highlights the profound connection between God's faithfulness to His covenant people and the unfolding of world history.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
Isaiah prophesied Jerusalem's inviolability during the Assyrian siege, a prophecy that was miraculously vindicated by the lifting of the siege.
621 BC
Josiah's Reforms and Discovery of the Law
King Josiah implemented religious reforms after the discovery of the Book of the Law, leading to a period of national confidence.
609 BC
Battle of Megiddo
King Josiah was killed in battle against Pharaoh Necho of Egypt at Megiddo, shattering the nation's confidence and leading to a decline into idolatry.
598 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deported a significant portion of Judah's elite, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, marking the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
587-586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
Jerusalem was destroyed, the Temple was burned, and Zedekiah was captured and blinded, with a second, larger deportation of the remaining population to Babylon.
c. 546 BC
Cyrus's Conquest of Lydia
Cyrus the Great conquered the wealthy kingdom of Lydia, demonstrating his growing power and military prowess, which was noted by the prophet.
c. 540 BC— this verse
Cyrus's Preparations to Invade Babylon
Cyrus was actively preparing for his conquest of Babylon, a campaign that would ultimately lead to the liberation of the Jewish exiles.
This passage also calls upon the heavens and the earth to bring forth salvation and righteousness, echoing the universal call to praise found in Isaiah 44:23.
Psalm 96:11-12This psalm directly parallels the imagery of nature rejoicing, with the heavens, seas, fields, and trees called to break forth into singing and joy for God's coming judgment and reign.
Psalm 148:1-14This psalm is a comprehensive call for all creation, from the highest heavens to the deepest earth, including mountains, trees, and all living things, to praise the Lord, mirroring the expansive joy of Isaiah 44:23.
Jeremiah 31:7This verse speaks of God's future gathering and redemption of His people Israel, a theme of divine action and restoration that resonates with the proclamation in Isaiah 44:23.
Luke 15:10While not a direct parallel in imagery, the profound joy and celebration in heaven over one sinner who repents reflects the theme of God's glory being magnified through redemption, as stated in Isaiah 44:23.
barnesIsaiah 44:23: "Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel."
Sing, O ye heavens - (see Isaiah 42:10 ). It is common in the sacred writings to call on the heavens, the earth, and all created things, to join in the praise of God on any great and glorious event (see Psalm 96:1 , Psalm 96:11-12 ; Psalm 148:1-14 ) The occas…
pulpitIsaiah 44:23: "Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel."
Verse 23. - Sing, O ye heavens. The sympathy of external nature with the fortunes of Israel is assumed throughout Isaiah, as it is throughout the Psalms (see Psalm 11:6-8; 24:4-7; 29:17; 30:25, 26; 33:9; 35:1, 2, 7, etc.). If Israel is depressed, the earth mu…
This verse isn't just calling for a cheer; it's an epic cosmic shout-out! The prophet calls on all of creation—heavens, earth, mountains, forests—to celebrate because God's redemption of Israel is so monumental, it’s an event of cosmic significance. It shows that God's work is so powerful, it affects the very fabric of existence, making everything rejoice.
This passage erupts with joy following God's declaration of His power and faithfulness in chapters 44 and 45, which include the commissioning of Cyrus to bring about Israel's liberation. The prophet calls on all of creation, from the highest heavens to the deepest earth, to join in celebrating God's mighty act of redeeming His people from exile and establishing His glory in them. This climactic declaration of divine action sets the stage for the ongoing narrative of restoration and God's ultimate triumph.
This passage erupts with joy following God's declaration of His power and faithfulness in chapters 44 and 45, which include the commissioning of Cyrus to bring about Israel's liberation. The prophet calls on all of creation, from the highest heavens to the deepest earth, to join in celebrating God's mighty act of redeeming His people from exile and establishing His glory in them. This climactic declaration of divine action sets the stage for the ongoing narrative of restoration and God's ultimate triumph.
"Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done it; shout, O depths of the earth; break forth into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and will be glorified in Israe…" — This verse isn't just calling for a cheer; it's an epic cosmic shout-out! The prophet calls on all of creation—heavens, earth, mountains, forests—to celebrate because God's redemption of Israel is…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
