Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the LORD has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The invitation to "break forth into singing" isn't just for people, but for mountains too, highlighting how God's comfort is so profound it calls the very creation to join in worship. This immense, cosmic celebration underscores the depth of God's compassion for His people in their afflicted state.
Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the LORD has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage erupts in joyful praise, calling all of creation to sing because God has begun to comfort his people and show compassion to those in distress. It follows prophecies about the Servant of the Lord bringing light and salvation to all nations, offering a hopeful interlude before the lament of Zion, who feels abandoned.
Why does the prophet call on inanimate creation – heavens, earth, and mountains – to sing and exult?
The prophet Isaiah uses a common poetic device, personification, to express the immensity of God's comfort and compassion. This isn't just a nice thought; it's meant to convey that the good news of God's faithfulness is so profound that all of creation itself should erupt in joy.
The verse mentions God's comfort and compassion. Who specifically is He showing mercy to?
The heart of this verse lies in the reason why creation is called to sing: God has acted to comfort His people and show mercy to those who are suffering.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
A title for the God of Israel, the covenant-keeping I AM, who reveals His character through His redemptive actions in history.
nacham · Hebrew Verb
Divine solace or relief granted by God to His people in the midst of their suffering; it reflects God's active involvement in restoring and encouraging those who trust in Him.
racham · Hebrew Verb
Deep, internal yearning or "gut-level" sympathy that leads to action; it is the expression of God's tender mercy toward His people, especially in their suffering.
ani · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
The people of God in a state of suffering, hardship, or lowliness; it denotes those who are oppressed or in need of divine intervention.
This passage speaks directly to the period of exile and the subsequent return to Jerusalem. It reflects the deep despair of God's people in their affliction, contrasted with God's unwavering promise of comfort, compassion, and eventual restoration, culminating in the promised Messiah.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
Jerusalem is destroyed by the Babylonians, and many of its people are taken into exile. This marks a period of deep affliction and despair for the people of God.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon
The Persian king Cyrus the Great overthrows the Babylonian Empire. This event paves the way for the eventual return of the Jewish exiles.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus allowing return
Cyrus issues a decree permitting the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This marks the beginning of the return.
c. 516 BC
Completion of the Second Temple
The Second Temple in Jerusalem is completed, symbolizing a partial restoration of worship and community life for the returning exiles.
c. 458 BC - 432 BC
Reforms of Ezra and Nehemiah
Ezra and Nehemiah lead further waves of returnees, focusing on religious and social reforms to rebuild Jerusalem and its community.
This passage also calls on the heavens and the earth to sing and shout for joy, highlighting the theme of divine comfort and redemption.
Psalm 96:11-12It echoes the sentiment of natural creation rejoicing, specifically mentioning the heavens, earth, fields, and trees, in response to God's coming to judge and rule.
Luke 15:10This verse speaks of joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, mirroring the expansive joy called for in Isaiah for the comfort of God's people.
Jeremiah 31:13It describes a future restoration where the young women will rejoice in the dance, and the description of weeping turning to joy aligns with the comfort of God's people.
Revelation 18:20This passage calls for heaven, saints, apostles, and prophets to rejoice over Babylon's fall, reflecting the theme of joyous celebration for divine intervention and comfort.
barnesIsaiah 49:13: "Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted."
Sing, O heavens - In view of the glorious truths stated in the previous verses, that kings should rise up, and princes worship; that the Messiah would be for a light to the Gentiles, and that the true religion would be extended to each of the four quarters of the globe. The idea in this verse is, that it was an occasi…
gillIsaiah 49:13: "Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted."
Sing, O heavens, and be joyful, O earth,.... Which may be understood of the heavens, and the earth by a personification, a figure usual in Scripture, to express the greatness of the benefit received, and to raise thankfulness and admiration in the hearts of God's people; see Psalm 90:11 or by the heavens may be meant…
The invitation to "break forth into singing" isn't just for people, but for mountains too, highlighting how God's comfort is so profound it calls the very creation to join in worship. This immense, cosmic celebration underscores the depth of God's compassion for His people in their afflicted state.
This passage erupts in joyful praise, calling all of creation to sing because God has begun to comfort his people and show compassion to those in distress. It follows prophecies about the Servant of the Lord bringing light and salvation to all nations, offering a hopeful interlude before the lament of Zion, who feels abandoned.
This passage erupts in joyful praise, calling all of creation to sing because God has begun to comfort his people and show compassion to those in distress. It follows prophecies about the Servant of the Lord bringing light and salvation to all nations, offering a hopeful interlude before the lament of Zion, who feels abandoned.
"Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the LORD has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted." — The invitation to "break forth into singing" isn't just for people, but for mountains too, highlighting how God's comfort is so profound it calls the very creation to join in worship. This immense, c…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026