Isaiah 12
Big idea: Six verses of song to close the first movement, and the first line is the strangest: I will thank you, Yahweh, because you were angry with me. The anger is included in what is being thanked for, not skipped over.
Verse 2 quotes Exodus 15:2 — the song at the Red Sea — so the first movement of Isaiah ends with the words Israel sang after the first rescue.
12:1–6 — You will draw water from the wells of salvation
The song is introduced twice with 'in that day you will say', which divides it into two short stanzas. The first is personal and singular. I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, for though you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you comfort me. The thanks includes the anger rather than passing over it, which is what makes the line unusual: the whole experience is what is being acknowledged, not just its ending.
1 In that day you will say, “I will give thanks to you, Yahweh; for though you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you comfort me. 2 Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Yah, Yahweh, is my strength and song; and he has become my salvation.” 3 Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation. 4 In that day you will say, “Give thanks to Yahweh! Call on his name! Declare his doings among the peoples! Proclaim that his name is exalted! 5 Sing to Yahweh, for he has done excellent things! Let this be known in all the earth! 6 Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion, for the Holy One of Israel is great among you!”
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).