For thus says the LORD: “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
It’s easy to read this as just a general call to praise God. But look closer: the prophet commands not only Jacob (Israel) but also the "chief of the nations" to sing and shout! This highlights that when God acts to save His people, it's a world-changing event that should bring joy to everyone, pointing forward to a time of universal worship.
For thus says the LORD: “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
In the face of impending destruction and exile, this passage comes as a powerful declaration from the LORD, calling for shouts of joy and praise not just for Israel but also inviting the nations to witness and participate. It's a profound invitation to rejoice even amidst despair, urging a public proclamation and prayer for salvation, specifically for "the remnant of Israel."
Imagine being at your lowest point, with no hope in sight. That's where Israel was. Yet, God's message to them starts not with a whisper, but a shout!
The Divine Command to Rejoice
The prophecy in Jeremiah 31:7 comes at a time when the people of Israel are facing immense hardship, likely exile. Their situation seems hopeless, and their spirits are low.
But notice how God breaks into this despair: "For thus says the LORD..." This preface is crucial. It's God Himself, the ultimate authority, speaking directly into their bleak reality. He doesn't just offer a possibility of hope; He issues a command:
This isn't a suggestion; it's an imperative. God is calling them to a demonstrative joy, a public declaration, even when their circumstances scream the opposite. It highlights God's power to initiate joy and praise, independent of outward conditions.
Why would God tell a scattered, broken people to shout 'among the chief of the nations'? It hints at a much bigger picture than they could have imagined.
A Joy That Includes the Nations
Jeremiah 31:7 is remarkable for its inclusion of the wider world: "...and raise shouts for the chief of the nations." This phrase has been understood in a few ways:
Ask a follow-up
Regardless of the precise interpretation, the core idea is that the restoration of Israel isn't a small, private event. It's significant enough to draw the attention and participation of the wider world. It points forward to a time when God's redemptive work would be a cause for global celebration.
The verse calls for both shouting praise and a specific prayer. What does this dual focus tell us about how we're meant to live out our faith?
The Intertwined Nature of Praise and Prayer
After calling for joyous proclamation, the verse shifts to specific actions: "proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’" This isn't just a happy song; it's a purposeful engagement with God.
This combination teaches us that true faith isn't passive. It rejoices in what God has done and promised, but it also actively pursues Him for the fulfillment of those promises, especially for the "remnant" – those who truly belong to Him. Our confidence in God's past faithfulness fuels our present prayer for His continued work.
Understand the original words
Ya'aqov · Hebrew Noun
The descendants of the patriarch Jacob; the covenant people chosen by God to be a light to the nations and the vehicle of His redemptive plan.
she'erith · Hebrew Noun
A small, remaining portion of the covenant people that God preserves through judgment to fulfill His redemptive purposes.
yasha · Hebrew Verb
To rescue or deliver from danger, bondage, or destruction; in a spiritual sense, it denotes salvation from sin and its consequences by God's power.
This verse, delivered during or after the Babylonian exile, offers a profound message of hope and future restoration. It calls for celebration not just for the immediate returnees but also for the ultimate redemption of all Israel, emphasizing that even in times of devastation, God's promises for a faithful remnant would be fulfilled.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Exile
The Northern Kingdom of Israel (ten tribes) is conquered by the Assyrian Empire, and many of its people are deported, becoming known as the 'lost tribes'. This event marked a profound trauma and loss of national identity.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Southern Kingdom of Judah is conquered by the Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar II. Jerusalem and the Temple are destroyed, and a significant portion of the population is exiled to Babylon.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus Cylinder and Persian Return
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon. The Cyrus Cylinder indicates his policy of allowing deported peoples to return to their homelands and rebuild their religious sites, leading to the return of some Judeans from exile.
c. 458 BC - 430 BC
Post-Exilic Rebuilding and Spiritual Renewal
Figures like Ezra and Nehemiah lead further waves of returnees, focusing on rebuilding the Temple, re-establishing the Law, and spiritual/social reform. However, full national restoration remains elusive.
c. 6th-5th century BC
Prophetic Oracles of Hope and Restoration
Throughout and after the exile, prophets like Deutero-Isaiah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi delivered messages of future restoration, emphasizing God's faithfulness and a renewed covenant.
c. 6th century BC— this verse
Promise of a Future Remnant
Prophets like Jeremiah and Isaiah spoke of God gathering a 'remnant' of His people, those who would remain faithful and be restored, highlighting that not all would return but a chosen few would be the basis for future hope.
This passage echoes the call for public praise and prayer for Jerusalem's restoration, mirroring Jeremiah's instruction to 'sing aloud with gladness' and 'praise.'
Psalm 118:25The phrase 'Save us, we pray, O LORD!' here uses the same Hebrew word for 'save' as in Jeremiah 31:7, highlighting a continuous plea for divine deliverance throughout Israel's history.
Romans 11:5Paul speaks of a 'remnant that will be saved by grace,' directly connecting to Jeremiah's prophecy of a 'remnant of Israel,' emphasizing that salvation is always God's work.
Zechariah 8:20-23This prophecy describes a future where people from many nations will seek the Lord in Jerusalem, reflecting the sentiment of Jeremiah 31:7 where not only Israel but also 'the chief of the nations' are called to participate in rejoicing and praise.
calvinJeremiah 31:7: "For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel."
- Quid sic dicit Jehova, Exultate propter Jacob in laetitia (vel cum Jacob, nam l potest utroque modo accipi) et jubilate in capite gentium; promulgate, laudate, et dicite, Serva Jehova populum suum, reliquias Israel.
The Prophet confirms the contents of the verse we have explained; and it was necessar…
clarkeJeremiah 31:7: "For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel."
The chief of the nations - The same as Jacob or Israel; for most certainly this people was once the most honorable on the face of the earth. O Lord, save thy people - Let the Jews earnestly intercede in behalf of their Israelitish brethren; or let them rejoice and praise the Lord, who hath saved the remn…
It’s easy to read this as just a general call to praise God. But look closer: the prophet commands not only Jacob (Israel) but also the "chief of the nations" to sing and shout! This highlights that when God acts to save His people, it's a world-changing event that should bring joy to everyone, pointing forward to a time of universal worship.
In the face of impending destruction and exile, this passage comes as a powerful declaration from the LORD, calling for shouts of joy and praise not just for Israel but also inviting the nations to witness and participate. It's a profound invitation to rejoice even amidst despair, urging a public proclamation and prayer for salvation, specifically for "the remnant of Israel."
In the face of impending destruction and exile, this passage comes as a powerful declaration from the LORD, calling for shouts of joy and praise not just for Israel but also inviting the nations to witness and participate. It's a profound invitation to rejoice even amidst despair, urging a public proclamation and prayer for salvation, specifically for "the remnant of Israel."
"For thus says the LORD: “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’" — It’s easy to read this as just a general call to praise God. But look closer: the prophet commands not only Jacob (Israel) but also the "chief of the nations" to sing and shout! This highlights that…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026