Isaiah 55:8-13

The Compassion of the Lord

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
 9 p For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 q "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
r giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but s it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

12 t "For you shall go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
u the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
 13 v Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall make a name for the Lord,
an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."

  1. Cross References
    Psalms 103:11
    For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him.
  2. Cross References
    Psalms 148:8
    Fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word!
  3. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 9:10
    He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
  4. Cross References
    Isaiah 40:8
    The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
  5. Cross References
    Isaiah 35:10
    And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
    Isaiah 48:20 - 21
    Go out from Babylon, flee from Chaldea, declare this with a shout of joy, proclaim it, send it out to the end of the earth; say, "The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob!
    Isaiah 52:12
    For you shall not go out in haste, and you shall not go in flight, for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
  6. Cross References
    Isaiah 44:23
    Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it; shout, O depths of the earth; break forth into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and will be glorified in Israel.
    Psalms 98:8
    Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together
  7. Cross References
    Isaiah 35:1 - 2
    The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus.
    Isaiah 41:19
    I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive. I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane and the pine together.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.