Isaiah 55:12
For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Study Note
Study Note
The vision of the redeemed going out with joy and being led forth with peace, while mountains, hills, and trees break into singing and clapping, extends the new exodus imagery of Isaiah 40–55 into a cosmic celebration. The personification of mountains singing and trees clapping (tachalu-kaf) draws on the tradition of cosmic praise in Psalm 96:12 and 148 and anticipates Revelation 5:13's 'every creature in heaven, earth, and under the earth' joining the eschatological doxology. The verse functions as the climax of Isaiah 55's great invitation chapter (55:1–13), completing the movement from hungry exile (v. 1) to cosmic homecoming (v. 12) through the mediation of the divine word (vv. 10–11). The 'everlasting sign' (ot olam) promised in verse 13 grounds the vision in permanent eschatological promise rather than temporary restoration.
Other Translations
For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields shall clap their hands.
For with joy ye go forth, And with peace ye are brought in, The mountains and the hills Break forth before you <FI>with<Fi> singing, And all trees of the field clap the hand.
For you will go out with joy, and be guided in peace: the mountains and the hills will make melody before you, and all the trees of the fields will make sounds of joy.
Cross References
Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl …
Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall …
And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall …
Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon …
Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted …
They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on …
That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed …
Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter …
Sing, O ye heavens; for the Lord hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into …