Isaiah 12:4-6

And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord

Congregational praise

I. WHO ARE HERE CALLED UPON TO PRAISE GOD. The inhabitants of Zion and Jerusalem, whom God had in a peculiar manner protected from Sennacherib’s violence (Isaiah 12:6). Those that have received distinguishing favours from God ought to be most forward and zealous in praising Him. The Gospel Church is Zion; Christ is Zion’s King; those that have a place and name in that should lay out themselves to diffuse the knowledge of Christ, and to bring many to Him.

II. HOW THEY MUST PRAISE THE LORD.

1. By prayer. “Call upon His name.” As giving thanks for former mercy is a decent way of begging further mercy, so begging further mercy is graciously accepted as a thankful acknowledgment of the mercies we have received.

2. By preaching and writing we must speak to others concerning Him--not only “call upon His name,” but (as the margin reads it) “proclaim His name”; let others know something more from us than they did before concerning God, and those things whereby He has made Himself known. “Declare His doings”--His “counsels,” so some read it. The work of redemption is according to the counsel of His will and in that and other wonderful works that He hath done, we must take notice of His “thoughts which are to usward.” Declare these “among the people”--among the heathen, that they may be brought into communion with Israel, and the God of Israel. When the apostles preached the Gospel to “all nations, beginning at Jerusalem,” then this Scripture was fulfilled, that His doings should be declared among the people, and that what He hath done should be known in all the earth.

3. By a holy exultation and transport of joy. “Cry out and shout.”

III. FOR WHAT THEY MUST PRAISE THE LORD.

1. Because He hath glorified Himself. “His name is exalted,” is become more illustrious and conspicuous, and every good man rejoiceth in that.

2. Because He hath magnified His people. He “hath done excellent things” for them, which makes them look great and considerable.

3. Because He is, and will be, great among them. (M. Henry.)