A New Song of Praise

A new song is demanded from every region and people: those who go down to the sea, the coastlands, the desert, its towns, Kedar's villages, and the inhabitants of Sela. The call is justified because the LORD is no passive observer; He goes forth like a mighty man and stirs His zeal like a warrior, prepared to prevail over His enemies.

S¹⁰ing to the LORD a new song— ¹¹Let the desert and its cities raise their voices; ¹²Let them give glory to the LORD ¹³The LORD goes forth like a mighty one;

After long silence, the LORD announces that He will now cry out like a woman in labor, devastating mountains, drying streams, and reshaping the land. Yet His fierce intervention is also redemptive: He will lead the blind on unfamiliar paths, turn darkness to light and rough ground to level places, while those who trust in carved images are forced into disgrace and retreat.

¹⁴“I have kept silent from ages past; ¹⁵I will lay waste the mountains and hills ¹⁶I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; ¹⁷But those who trust in idols