“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”
My Notes
What Does Isaiah 61:10 Mean?
Isaiah breaks into personal praise — I will greatly rejoice in the LORD. The rejoicing is not mild. It is emphatic — greatly, with the soul joyful. The whole being is engaged in worship.
The reason: God has clothed me with the garments of salvation and covered me with the robe of righteousness. The imagery is bridal — like a bridegroom adorned and a bride wearing jewels. Salvation and righteousness are not achievements. They are garments given and worn.
The clothing metaphor is significant: you did not make these clothes. God clothed you. Salvation is something put on you from the outside — provided, fitted, placed on your shoulders by someone else.
The robe of righteousness covers everything underneath it. Whatever you are wearing beneath — your failures, your shame, your inadequacy — the robe covers it. You are presented to the world in righteousness that is not your own.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What does it mean that God clothed you rather than you dressing yourself in salvation?
- 2.How does the bridal imagery change your understanding of salvation — from transaction to celebration?
- 3.What 'old clothes' — shame, self-condemnation, inadequacy — do you keep putting back on?
- 4.How does wearing the robe of righteousness change how you face each day?
Devotional
He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation. Not I clothed myself. He clothed me. Salvation is not something you sew together. It is something placed on you by the one who made it.
Covered me with the robe of righteousness. The robe covers everything. Your worst underneath — the shame, the failure, the things you cannot forgive yourself for — the robe covers all of it. Not because the shame is not real, but because the righteousness is bigger.
As a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. The imagery is celebration — a wedding day. You are being prepared for something beautiful. The garments are not rags of penance. They are robes of honor.
I will greatly rejoice. The natural response to being clothed in salvation is not grim duty. It is joy — deep, full, whole-person joy. When you see what you are wearing, how can you not celebrate?
What are you wearing today — the garments God put on you, or the old clothes you keep putting back on? The robe is already yours. The celebration is already underway. The only question is whether you will wear what has been given.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,.... These are not the words of the prophet spoken in his own person, rejoicing in…
I wilt greatly rejoice in the Lord - This is the language of the prophet in the name of the church; or, as Vitringa…
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord - These may be the words of the Jews now converted, and brought into the Church of…
Some make this the song of joy and praise to be sung by the prophet in the name of Jerusalem, congratulating her on the…
According to the Targum and some critics the speaker here is the Zion of the future; while Delitzsch and others, who…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture