Isaiah 55:12

“For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace, &c.] Though these words may literally respect the Jews’ return from captivity to their own land, attended with joy and peace; as the preceding verse may respect the word of promise concerning it; as it is interpreted by the Targum, “for with joy shall ye go out from among the people, and with peace shall ye be brought to your own land;” yet they may be spiritually applied to the conversion of men, in consequence of the word being made effectual, of which the deliverance from the Babylonish thraldom was a type; when men “go out” of a state of bondage to sin, Satan, and the law; out of a state of darkness and ignorance; out of the pit…”

“go out--from the various countries in which ye (the Jews) are scattered, to your own land (Eze 11:17). led--by Messiah, your "Leader" (Isa 55:4; Isa 52:12; Mic 2:12-13). mountains . . . trees, &c.--images justly used to express the seeming sympathy of nature with the joy of God's people. For, when sin is removed, the natural world shall be delivered from "vanity," and be renewed, so as to be in unison with the regenerated moral world (Isa 44:23; Psa 98:8; Rom 8:19-22).”

“For ye shall go out with joy - This language is that which is properly applicable to the exiles in Babylon, but there can be no doubt that the prophet looks also to the future happier times of the Messiah (compare the notes at Isaiah 52:7). The mountains and the hills - Language like this is common in Isaiah, where all nature is called on to rejoice, or where inanimate objects are represented as expressing their sympathy with the joy of the people of God (see the note at Isaiah 14:8; Isaiah 35:1-2, Isaiah 35:10; Isaiah 42:10-11; Isaiah 44:23). Indeed, this imagery is common in all poetry. Thus, Virgil: Ipsi laetitia voces ad sidera jactant, Intonsi montes: ipsae jam carmina rupes, Ipsa…”

“Therefore - Ye shall be released from your bondage. Peace - Safely and triumphantly. Clap - There shall be a general rejoicing, so that even the senseless creatures shall seem to rejoice with you. Isaiah 55:13”

“55:12-13 The prophet encourages his people to forget the past, to leave Babylon, and to accept the perspective of the coming age. 55:12 Joy is found in being redeemed from bondage. • Godly people experience an inner peace not known to the wicked (48:22). • mountains and hills . . . trees of the field: Creation participates in the freedom of the children of God (44:23; 49:11, 13; see Rom 8:19-23).”

“ye shall: Isa 35:10, Isa 48:20, Isa 49:9, Isa 49:10, Isa 51:11, Isa 65:13, Isa 65:14; Psa 105:43; Jer 30:19; Jer 31:12-14, Jer 33:6, Jer 33:11; Zac 2:7-10; Rom 5:1, Rom 5:11, Rom 15:13; Gal 5:22; Col 1:11 the mountains: Isa 14:8, Isa 35:1, Isa 35:2, Isa 42:10, Isa 42:11, Isa 44:23, Isa 49:13; Psa 65:13, Psa 96:11-13, Psa 98:7-9; Psa 148:4-13; Luk 15:10; Rev 19:1-6 clap: Ch1 16:32, Ch1 16:33; Psa 47:1 Isaiah 55:13”

“The true point of comparison, however, is the energy with which the word is realized. Assuredly and irresistibly will the word of redemption be fulfilled. "For ye will go out with joy, and be led forth in peace: the mountains and the hills will break out before you into shouting, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thorn will cypresses shoot up, and instead of the fleabane will myrtles shoot up: and it will be to Jehovah for a name, for an everlasting memorial that will not be swept away." "With joy," i.e., without the hurry of fear ( Isa 52:12); "in peace," i.e., without having to fight their way through or flee. The idea of the sufferer falls back in הוּבל…”