The power and authority of God, often referred to as His holy arm, is, in the Redemption of Jerusalem, made manifest to all nations. When Isaiah says, "Jerusalem," we may interpret it as meaning the entire earth and all mankind. "The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." (Ps. 24:1) The Salvation of His children is the great purpose to which all God's providences are consecrated, and in them, all the people of the earth will behold His Redemption.
Break forth into joy. The glorious appearance of the King and His royal entourage brought forth shouts of joy that swelled into a mighty "Hosanna." Isaiah now bids all, "Break forth into joy." (Lit. "Break forth, sing together.") All ye who have grown weary waiting for the King to come, also, ye who are become withered like an unwatered garden, ye, too, that love the Law of the Lord, "who wait for Him more than the watchmen wait for the morning." "Sing together." The Lord has not forgotten His people, neither will He see them perish. He hath redeemed Zion. Great is our King! Who is our King, but the Lord? And, who is the Lord, save He is God! "Lo the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice; let the fields exult, and all that is therein!" (Jewish Adage. See 1 Chr. 16:31-32) The Lord hath comforted His people. Sing aloud! Isaiah knew the strength of song.
Singing was an important part of Israel's worship. Music was heard throughout the land. Songs of praise to God lifted the most menial of tasks to His service. The vine, the fruitful field, the harvest, the flocks, doves, lilies, sorrow, delight, and victory-all were remembered in songs of memorial to His goodness. Israel sought comfort in song. "When my cares are many within me, songs in Thy praise delight my soul." (Hebrew proverb) "For the Lord will comfort Zion: He will comfort all her waste places and will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody." (Ps. 96:1-2. Jewish rendition)
A good conception of the influence singing the songs of Zion had upon ancient Judah may be obtained by reading the first four verses of the 137th Psalm. Words of poetry memorializing this sorrowful experience in Israel's history are, today, sung by both Jews and their Christian brethren. These words are found in the Hymn Book of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They not only express Judah's sorrow in her Babylonian captivity, but also, as is pointed out in the King James Translation of the Bible, her "constancy under captivity."
Down by the river' s verdant side,
Low by the solitary tide,
There, while the peaceful waters slept,
We pensively sat down and wept,
And on the bending willows hung
Our silent harps through grief unstrung.
For they who wasted Zion's bowers
And laid in dust her ruined towers
In scorn their weary slaves desire,
To strike the chords of Israel's lyre,
And in their impious ears to sing
The sacred songs to Zion's King.
How shall we tune those lofty strains
On Babylon's polluted plains,
When low in ruin on the earth
Remains the place that gave us birth,
And stern destruction's iron hand
Still sways oar desolated land.
O never shall our harps awake,
Laid in the dust for Zion's sake,
For ever on the willows hung,
Their music hushed; their chords un-strung;
Lost Zion! city of our God,
While groaning 'neath the tyrant's rod.
Still mold'ring lie thy leveled walls
And ruin stalks along thy halls.
And brooding o'er thy ruined towers
Such desolation sternly lowers,
That when we muse upon thy woe,
The gushing tears of sorrow flow!
And while we toil through wretched life
And drink the bitter cup of strife,
Until we yield our weary breath,
And sleep released from woe in death,
Will Zion in our memory stand-
Our lost, our ruined native land.