Isaiah 12

In that day you will say, I will give thanks to you, the LORD; for though you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you comfort me. Wesley: in that day—when the reduction of Israel and conversion of the Gentiles is fulfilled (11:10–16).

Remnant first, then the nations. A thanks after an anger. They still say it. The stretched-out hand of 9–10 has turned.

Calvin: the song seals the promise, put in their mouth so they will not think they are deluded. He addresses the whole people as one. Believers first acknowledge guilt, then ascribe relief to mercy. He was satisfied with moderate chastisement. Anger of short duration (Ps 30:5). Punishment ended not because we paid what we deserved, but because through fatherly love He spares our weakness. This confession belongs properly to the godly and elect. Wrath against the ungodly is perpetual; their chastisements are forerunners of everlasting destruction; no consolation is promised them. The godly are trained to repentance, that they may not perish with the world (1 Cor 11:32).

“That day”—the elect’s song after the rod. That day, thanks, angry with me, anger turned away, comfort.

Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD, the LORD, is my strength and song; and he has become my salvation. Wesley: my salvation hath not been brought to pass by man, but by the almighty power of God.

A trust after the anger turned. Strength and song are still His. Not by man: they still must trust.

Calvin: knowledge from experience: the brightness of God’s countenance, once hidden, now they can point to it. Confidence proceeds from faith. We have made good progress in faith when endued with this confidence. He is not a part of our strength but our complete strength. None sincerely sing but those convinced of their weakness, who seek strength from God alone. He will become my salvation: not a single day’s benefit, but till the coming of Christ, and to the end.

“Behold”—faith’s calm after the rod. God is my salvation, trust, not afraid, strength, song, become my salvation.

With joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation. Wesley: thirsty souls filled with Divine graces and comforts, which you may draw from God in the use of gospel-ordinances.

The verb “draw” pictures a well and the drawing of water. Gospel ordinances are still the bucket. They still come thirsty.

Calvin: salvation set before you as a running fountain. Water as what life most needs. Empty of everything good, we are dry land (Ps 143:6). That fountain is Christ; out of His fullness we all draw (John 1:16). Whenever we feel our want we go directly to Him.

The well is a Person. Wesley names the ordinances; Calvin names Christ. Both traditions come to the same well.

In that day you will say, Give thanks to the LORD! Call on his name! Declare his doings among the peoples! Proclaim that his name is exalted. The song goes public. One mouth becomes many.

Remnant telling the nations, as 11:10’s signal. They still call and still declare.

Calvin: not only sing individually but excite others. One soul and one mouth (Rom 15:6). Call upon his name: the whole of worship under that head; our confidence is placed in God. Make known among the peoples: not in one corner. A forerunner of the preaching of the gospel. After Christ was manifested they ought to have been heralds through every country.

“Among the peoples”—the same signal, now a song. Both traditions agree: that day, give thanks, call upon his name, deeds among the peoples, name exalted.

Sing to the LORD, for he has done excellent things! Let this be known in all the earth. The excellent things of 11–12 are not a secret.

The song is sent to all the earth, and later the gospel follows. He has done it; they still sing it.

Calvin: the song is not limited to a short period but extends to the whole of Christ’s reign. The work is truly glorious: God sent His Son to reconcile us and to destroy the dominion of death and the devil. This hath been made known through all the earth: the calling of the Gentiles. The work ought not to be concealed in a corner.

Christ’s reign is the excellent thing. Common ground: sing, done gloriously, known in all the earth.

Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion, for the Holy One of Israel is great among you. Wesley (on 12:1): this is the day of Israel’s reduction and the Gentiles’ conversion, Zion shouting because the Holy One is among them.

The Holy One of 6:3 and 10:17, now in the city that shook. They still shout. Great is not a slogan: He is there.

Calvin: we have no other happiness than to have God dwelling in the midst of us. Without this, life is wretched though we have every other riches. He is the Holy One from the effect: gathering us to Himself and saving us by His grace, He sanctifies us as His own. When He is absent we continue in grief. Inhabitant of Zion: not all are capable of so great a blessing; he exhorts them to unity of faith, that by being united to the Church we may partake of this joy.

The Holy One gathers His own. Common ground: shout, sing, inhabitant of Zion, great, in your midst, Holy One of Israel.