The Lord not only instructs his people to sing praise songs of gladness and joy, but they must also pray to the Lord saying, O Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.
These words take the form of lament. This combination of praise and lament is appropriate for those who read the Book of Consolation while still in exile in Babylon1. Returning from exile would involve much prayer not only because it is a difficult journey, but because it requires the Lord to save his people from anything that will stand against them2. The remnant of Israel
refers to those who remain after the Assyrian invasion of the northern tribes and those who were taken into exile in Babylon (the good figs
in Jeremiah 24:1–10)3. The word remnant
also implies a people who have suffered and are still in need. The contrast and tension between Israel as the chief of nations
and Israel as the remnant
is only resolved in the following verses through the faithful, merciful, and powerful actions of the Lord saving a powerless and needy people. Israel is only the chief of nations
because of the Lord’s sovereign choice and mercy (Deuteronomy 7:7–8; Deuteronomy 32:8–9)4.
7 For thus says the LORD: “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’