Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.
Let the wilderness and its cities raise their voices in praise, and the villages where Kedar's people live. Let the people who live in the rocky places sing, and let them shout joyfully from the mountaintops.
The writer is calling for all people everywhere - from remote desert places to mountain villages - to burst into joyful praise and celebration.
📚 Historical Context
Isaiah 42 is part of a prophetic passage in the book of Isaiah, written during the 8th century BC when Judah faced threats from powerful empires like Assyria, and it foretells God's servant bringing justice and salvation to all nations. In this verse, God calls for praise from wilderness regions and specific places like Kedar, which refers to nomadic tribes descended from Ishmael in the Arabian Desert, and "the rock," likely alluding to fortified mountainous areas such as Petra. This reflects the biblical theme of God's redemption extending beyond Israel to encompass even remote and overlooked peoples.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.