Verse of the Day: Isaiah 12:4
Verse of the Day
Saturday, July 5, 2025
Isaiah 12:4
And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted.
Introduction
Isaiah 12 stands as a hymn of praise following a series of prophetic visions and judgments. This particular verse, Isaiah 12:4, captures the heart of the redeemed—overflowing with gratitude, testimony, and the exaltation of God’s name. It is both a personal call to worship and a communal call to proclaim. The verse invites us into the joy and responsibility of acknowledging God’s saving work and making it known to the world.
Commentary
“And you will say on that day:”
This phrase points to a specific moment in redemptive history—“that day” refers to the time of God’s salvation. It looks ahead to the fulfillment of God’s promises, possibly messianic and eschatological in nature.
“Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name;”
Gratitude and invocation go hand in hand. To give thanks is to acknowledge God’s faithfulness; to call on His name is to rely on His character and presence. The Hebrew word for “call” (קָרָא, qara) can also mean “to proclaim,” emphasizing both prayer and proclamation.
“Make known his deeds among the nations;”
Here, the focus shifts outward. The people of God are not merely to experience His goodness privately but to declare His mighty acts publicly. This phrase echoes the missional heartbeat of the Old Testament, where Israel is called to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6).
“Proclaim that his name is exalted.”
The verse concludes with a declaration of God’s holiness and supremacy. The “name” of the Lord in Hebrew thought encompasses His entire being—His character, His power, and His glory. To exalt His name is to lift up who God is before all creation.
Understanding the Context
Isaiah chapters 1–12 recount a mixture of judgment and hope. By the time we reach chapter 12, Isaiah has proclaimed the coming of the Messiah (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6), described the judgment on Assyria, and foretold a glorious future for the remnant of Israel. Chapter 12 is a song of deliverance, offered by those who have witnessed God's saving power.
Isaiah 12 parallels the songs of Moses and Miriam after the Exodus (Exodus 15), suggesting a “new exodus” theme—where God's people are once again brought from bondage to freedom. The phrase “on that day” signifies the arrival of God’s salvation, fulfilled ultimately in Jesus Christ and still anticipated in the Church's hope for His return.
Application for Today
Isaiah 12:4 calls modern believers to live lives marked by gratitude, prayer, and public testimony.
Give thanks: Cultivate a posture of daily thanksgiving—not just for material blessings, but for the work of Christ in your life.
Call on His name: Be intentional in prayer, knowing that invoking God’s name is more than ritual; it’s a cry for communion with the living God.
Make known His deeds: Share your story. Talk about what God has done in your life—in conversations, on social media, in service to others.
Proclaim His name: Worship is not confined to church walls. Live in a way that exalts God's name in your workplace, home, and community.
Especially in a world saturated with bad news, believers are called to be heralds of hope, lifting up the name of the One who saves.
Reflection
This verse reminds us that salvation is not a silent experience. It resounds in thanksgiving, ripples out in testimony, and lifts up the holy name of the Lord. We are not saved to remain still, but to become witnesses—joyful, prayerful, and bold.
Even in seasons of waiting or trial, “that day” reminds us that God's promises are sure. When we remember His deeds—past and present—we find courage to praise and strength to share. Let this verse be your song: a life that exalts the Lord and proclaims His goodness to all who will hear.
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Verse of the Day is a daily inspirational and encouraging Bible verse extracted from BibleGateway.com. Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM.
