Isaiah 61:10
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.
Original Language Analysis
בַּֽיהוָ֗ה
in the LORD
H3068
בַּֽיהוָ֗ה
in the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
תָּגֵ֤ל
shall be joyful
H1523
תָּגֵ֤ל
shall be joyful
Strong's:
H1523
Word #:
4 of 19
properly, to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion), i.e., usually rejoice, or (as cringing) fear
נַפְשִׁי֙
my soul
H5315
נַפְשִׁי֙
my soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
5 of 19
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
בֵּֽאלֹהַ֔י
in my God
H430
בֵּֽאלֹהַ֔י
in my God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 19
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הִלְבִּישַׁ֙נִי֙
for he hath clothed
H3847
הִלְבִּישַׁ֙נִי֙
for he hath clothed
Strong's:
H3847
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively
צְדָקָ֖ה
of righteousness
H6666
צְדָקָ֖ה
of righteousness
Strong's:
H6666
Word #:
12 of 19
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
כֶּֽחָתָן֙
as a bridegroom
H2860
כֶּֽחָתָן֙
as a bridegroom
Strong's:
H2860
Word #:
14 of 19
a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively, a circumcised child (as a species of religious espousal)
יְכַהֵ֣ן
decketh
H3547
יְכַהֵ֣ן
decketh
Strong's:
H3547
Word #:
15 of 19
to officiate as a priest; figuratively, to put on regalia
פְּאֵ֔ר
himself with ornaments
H6287
פְּאֵ֔ר
himself with ornaments
Strong's:
H6287
Word #:
16 of 19
an embellishment, i.e., fancy head-dress
וְכַכַּלָּ֖ה
and as a bride
H3618
וְכַכַּלָּ֖ה
and as a bride
Strong's:
H3618
Word #:
17 of 19
a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife
Cross References
Philippians 3:9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:Psalms 132:9Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.Psalms 132:16I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.Romans 14:17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.Revelation 21:2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.Romans 5:11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.Isaiah 49:18Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.Isaiah 52:1Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.Isaiah 51:11Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.Isaiah 61:3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Historical Context
This anticipates the gospel of justification by faith - believers wear Christ's righteousness, not their own filthy rags (64:6). The bridal imagery finds fulfillment in Revelation 19:7-8 where church wears 'fine linen, clean and white...the righteousness of saints.'
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing you're clothed in Christ's righteousness (not your own) produce genuine rejoicing?
- What does it mean to be dressed as a bride for her wedding - how does this depict your relationship with Christ?
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Analysis & Commentary
The exclamation 'I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God' expresses exuberant worship arising from experienced salvation. The reason: 'he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.' This imagery depicts imputed righteousness - God clothes naked sinners with Christ's perfect righteousness. The bridal language (bridegroom/bride) celebrates covenant union.