Isaiah 12:6
Cry out and sing, O citizen of Zion, for great among you is the Holy One of Israel."
Cry out and sing
This phrase is a call to worship and celebration, reflecting a response of joy and gratitude. In the context of Isaiah, it follows a prophecy of salvation and deliverance. The act of crying out and singing is a common biblical expression of praise, seen in other scriptures such as Psalm 98:4 and Exodus 15:1, where the Israelites sang after crossing the Red Sea. It signifies a communal expression of faith and acknowledgment of God's mighty works.

O citizen of Zion
Zion refers to Jerusalem, the city of David, and by extension, the people of Israel. It is often used symbolically to represent God's chosen people and His dwelling place. The term "citizen" implies belonging and identity, emphasizing the relationship between God and His people. Zion holds a significant place in biblical prophecy and eschatology, often seen as the center of God's redemptive plan (Psalm 132:13-14, Revelation 14:1).

for great among you
This phrase highlights the presence and majesty of God among His people. It echoes the covenant promise that God would dwell with Israel (Exodus 29:45-46). The greatness of God is a recurring theme in scripture, emphasizing His power, sovereignty, and faithfulness. It reassures the people of God's active involvement in their lives and His ability to fulfill His promises.

is the Holy One of Israel
The title "Holy One of Israel" is a distinctive name for God used frequently in Isaiah, underscoring His uniqueness, purity, and separateness from all creation. It reflects God's covenant relationship with Israel and His role as their Redeemer and Protector. This title also points to the coming of Jesus Christ, who is seen as the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises to Israel, embodying holiness and bringing salvation (Luke 1:35, Acts 3:14).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Citizen of Zion
Refers to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the city of God, representing the people of Israel and, by extension, the people of God.

2. Zion
A term often used to describe Jerusalem, the spiritual center of Israel, symbolizing God's presence and His covenant with His people.

3. The Holy One of Israel
A title for God, emphasizing His holiness, uniqueness, and covenant relationship with Israel.
Teaching Points
Joyful Worship
The call to "cry out and sing" emphasizes the importance of joyful worship in response to God's presence and greatness. Worship should be an expression of our gratitude and reverence for God.

God's Presence
Recognize that God's presence among His people is a cause for celebration. Just as the Holy One of Israel was great among the citizens of Zion, His presence is with us today through the Holy Spirit.

Holiness of God
Reflect on the holiness of God, as He is the "Holy One of Israel." This should inspire awe and reverence, leading us to live lives that honor His holiness.

Community of Believers
The call to the "citizen of Zion" highlights the communal aspect of worship. As believers, we are part of a spiritual community that is called to worship and serve God together.

Hope and Assurance
The assurance of God's greatness among His people provides hope and encouragement, especially in times of difficulty. We can trust in His power and faithfulness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the call to "cry out and sing" in Isaiah 12:6 challenge your current approach to worship?

2. In what ways can you cultivate a greater awareness of God's presence in your daily life?

3. How does understanding God's holiness impact your relationship with Him and your conduct as a believer?

4. What role does community play in your spiritual life, and how can you contribute to the worship and growth of your local church?

5. How can the assurance of God's greatness among His people provide comfort and strength in your current circumstances?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 47:1
This verse encourages all nations to clap their hands and shout to God with cries of joy, similar to the call in Isaiah 12:6 for the citizens of Zion to cry out and sing.

Zephaniah 3:14-17
This passage also calls for rejoicing in Zion because the Lord is in their midst, paralleling the theme of God's presence in Isaiah 12:6.

Revelation 21:3
Describes the ultimate fulfillment of God's presence among His people, echoing the promise of God's greatness among His people in Isaiah 12:6.
God's Precede with His PeopleW. Ramsay.Isaiah 12:6
Loyal JoyIsaiah 12:6
Rapturous Enthusiasm Should Characterise ReligionJ. Parker, D. D.Isaiah 12:6
The Character, Privilege, and Duty of the People of GodJ. Muir, D. D.Isaiah 12:6
The Church of the Living GodJ. Hall, D. D.Isaiah 12:6
Thou Inhabitant of ZionJ. Parker, D. D.Isaiah 12:6
A Hymn of PraiseE. Johnson Isaiah 12:1-6
Congregational PraiseIsaiah 12:4-6
Exultation and ActivityW. Clarkson Isaiah 12:4-6
People
Isaiah
Places
Assyria, Zion
Topics
Aloud, Cry, Daughter, Holy, Inhabitant, Inhabitress, Joy, Midst, O, Shout, Sing, Sounding, Voice, Zion
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Isaiah 12:6

     1060   God, greatness of
     1205   God, titles of

Isaiah 12:1-6

     8149   revival, nature of

Isaiah 12:4-6

     8444   honouring God

Library
The Well-Spring of Salvation
'Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. ISAIAH xii. 3. There are two events separated from each other by more than fifteen hundred years which have a bearing upon this prophecy: the one supplied the occasion for its utterance, the other claimed to be its interpretation and its fulfilment. The first of these is that scene familiar to us all, where the Israelites in the wilderness murmured for want of water, and the law-giver, being at his wits' end what to do with his
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

'My Strength and Song'
'The Lord is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation....' EXODUS xv. 2. These words occur three times in the Bible: here, in Isaiah xii. 2, and in Psalm cxviii. 14. I. The lessons from the various instances of their occurrence. The first and second teach that the Mosaic deliverance is a picture- prophecy of the redemption in Christ. The third (Psalm cxviii. 14), long after, and the utterance of some private person, teaches that each age and each soul has the same mighty Hand working for
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

How Shall the Soul Make Use of Christ, as the Life, which is under the Prevailing Power of Unbelief and Infidelity.
That we may help to give some clearing to a poor soul in this case, we shall, 1. See what are the several steps and degrees of this distemper. 2. Consider what the causes hereof are. 3. Shew how Christ is life to a soul in such a case; and, 4. Give some directions how a soul in that case should make use of Christ as the Life, to the end it may be delivered therefrom. And, first, There are many several steps to, and degrees of this distemper. We shall mention a few; as, 1. When they cannot come
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

With Him, all Things
Gerhard Ter Steegen Is. xii. 2 Hath not each heart a passion and a dream? Each some companionship for ever sweet? And each in saddest skies some silver gleam, And each some passing joy, too fair and fleet? And each a staff and stay, though frail it prove, And each a face he fain would ever see? And what have I? An endless Heaven of love, A rapture, and a glory, and a calm; A life that is an everlasting Psalm, All, O Beloved, in Thee.
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

Life in India.
On the 17th of July, 1805, the Union East Indiaman conveying Mr. Martyn sailed from Portsmouth. Mr. Martyn says: "Though it was what I had been anxiously looking forward to so long, yet the consideration of being parted forever from my friends, almost overcame me. My feelings were those of a man who should suddenly be told that every friend he had in the world was dead." Though suffering much in mind and body throughout the long and tedious voyage of nine months, Mr. Martyn seeks no selfish ease.
Sarah J. Rhea—Life of Henry Martyn, Missionary to India and Persia

His Holy Covenant
"To remember His Holy Covenant; to grant unto us that we, being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, should serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all our days."-LUKE i. 68-75. WHEN Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, he spoke of God's visiting and redeeming His people, as a remembering of His Holy Covenant. He speaks of what the blessings of that Covenant would be, not in words that had been used before, but in what is manifestly a Divine revelation
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

Appendix xiv. The Law in Messianic Times.
THE question as to the Rabbinic views in regard to the binding character of the Law, and its imposition on the Gentiles, in Messianic times, although, strictly speaking, not forming part of this history, is of such vital importance in connection with recent controversies as to demand special consideration. In the text to which this Appendix refers it has been indicated, that a new legislation was expected in Messianic days. The ultimate basis of this expectancy must be sought in the Old Testament
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Opposition to Messiah in Vain
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision. T he extent and efficacy [effects] of the depravity of mankind cannot be fully estimated by the conduct of heathens destitute of divine revelation. We may say of the Gospel, in one sense, what the Apostle says of the Law, It entered that sin might abound (Romans 5:20) . It afforded occasion for displaying the alienation of the heart of man from the blessed God, in the strongest light. The sensuality, oppression and
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Gospel Message, Good Tidings
[As it is written] How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! T he account which the Apostle Paul gives of his first reception among the Galatians (Galatians 4:15) , exemplifies the truth of this passage. He found them in a state of ignorance and misery; alienated from God, and enslaved to the blind and comfortless superstitions of idolatry. His preaching, accompanied with the power of the Holy Spirit, had a great and marvellous effect.
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Messiah's Entrance into Jerusalem
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. -- And He shall speak peace unto the heathen. T he narrowness and littleness of the mind of fallen man are sufficiently conspicuous in the idea he forms of magnificence and grandeur. The pageantry and parade of a Roman triumph, or of an eastern monarch, as described in history, exhibit him to us
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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