Isaiah 25:9
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Isaiah 25:9 (KJV)
Context
Isaiah 25:9 appears in a prophetic chapter that looks forward to God’s glorious deliverance of His people. The preceding verses describe God’s judgment on the wicked and the downfall of hostile nations, but they also promise a day when God will destroy death, wipe away tears, and remove the disgrace of His people. Verse 9 is the people’s response to these mighty acts. The confession is corporate, as the phrase “it shall be said” indicates a communal testimony rather than a private hope.
Meaning
The verse begins, “And it shall be said in that day.” The phrase “that day” points to a future time of great significance, when God will bring about His purposes and fulfill His promises. It is a day of restoration and rejoicing for God’s people.
The first declaration, “Lo, this is our God,” expresses a moment of realization and recognition. God’s people will acknowledge that the One they have waited for and hoped in is none other than their God. It is a declaration of faith and reverence. The verse identifies God as both “our God” and “the LORD” (Yahweh), affirming His covenant relationship with His people and His sovereign identity as the One who saves.
The verse continues, “We have waited for him, and he will save us.” Waiting here implies a posture of anticipation, trust, and dependence on God. God’s people have patiently looked to Him for salvation, and in that day He will indeed save them. The repetition of “we have waited for him” underscores patient, expectant faith in God’s promised salvation. This waiting is not passive resignation but a confident trust that God will act according to His promises.
The verse concludes, “We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” The realization of God’s salvation brings great joy and gladness. This salvation is not temporary or superficial; it is a comprehensive and eternal deliverance that brings everlasting joy. The response to deliverance is worship, as the people’s gladness flows directly from what God has done for them.
Biblical connections
In the broader context of Isaiah 25:6-8, God prepares a feast, swallows up death, wipes away tears, and removes disgrace. Verse 9 is the people’s joyful response to these acts. The verse also points forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, God provided the means for salvation. Those who put their faith in Jesus are saved from sin, reconciled to God, and have the hope of eternal life. This connection is direct because the deliverance described in Isaiah 25:6-8—the end of death and sorrow—finds its fullest expression in the salvation accomplished by Christ.
Application
This verse encourages believers to recognize God’s faithfulness, to wait on Him with hope, and to respond with joyful praise when He saves. The waiting is not passive; it is a confident trust that God will act according to His promises. Salvation is entirely God’s work, and our role is to trust and rejoice in what He has done. Believers today can echo this confession, acknowledging that the God who saved His people in the past is the same God who saves them now and will save them fully in the age to come.
Reflection
Isaiah 25:9 speaks of a future day when God’s people will recognize and rejoice in Him as their God. They will affirm their patient waiting for Him and declare that He will save them. This verse emphasizes the trustworthiness of God’s promises and the joy that comes with the realization of His salvation. Ultimately, it points to the fulfillment of God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ, giving believers a sure hope that the God who has promised will also deliver.
