Isaiah 30:29 - Exposition

Ye shall have a song ; literally, to you will [ then ] be a song . While the nations weep and lament, and are burnt up by God's anger, and swept away by his "overflowing flood," and guided to their destruction by his bridle in their jaws, Israel shall rejoice with singing. As in the night when a holy solemnity is kept . Perhaps a special reference is intended to the Passover-feast, which commenced with an evening or night celebration ( Exodus 12:6 , Exodus 12:8 , Exodus 12:42 ; Matthew 26:30 ). Or perhaps "Isaiah is not referring to one feast more than another" (Cheyne), night-rituals belonging to all toasts, since the day commenced with the sunset. The Passover-song consisted of Psalm 113-118. And as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the Lord . Joyful processions from the country districts to Jerusalem are alluded to. These were commonly headed by a piper or a band of pipers (Vitringa). They took place several times in the year—at each of the three great feasts, and irregularly when any district sent up its firstfruits to the temple treasury ( Nehemiah 10:35-37 ). To the Mighty One of Israel ; literally, to the Rock of Israel ; i.e. to Jehovah (comp. Isaiah 17:10 ; and see also Deuteronomy 32:4 , Deuteronomy 32:15 , Deuteronomy 32:18 , Deuteronomy 32:30 , Deuteronomy 32:31 ; Psalms 18:2 , Psalms 18:31 , Psalms 18:46 , etc.). The idea embodied in the metaphor is rather that of an unfailing refuge than of mere might and power.