We see it now. Our idolatrous worship on the high places and our noisy commotion on the mountains were nothing but delusions. Only you, Yahweh our God, can save us.
Behold—God is my salvation! I am confident, unafraid, and I will trust in you.” Yes! The Lord Yah is my might and my melody; he has become my salvation!
When I had brought them into the promised land, they discovered all sorts of high hills and all kinds of spreading trees. That is where they offered sacrifices and made offerings to false gods that provoked my anger. That is where they burned incense and poured out drink offerings to false gods.
O Hope of Israel, Our only deliverer in time of trouble, why do you act like some stranger in the land, like an uninterested traveler who stops only for the night?
During Josiah’s reign as king of Judah, Yahweh asked me, “Did you see what unfaithful Israel has done? Like an adulterous wife, she has turned away from me. In every high place and under every green tree, she has prostituted herself to worship other gods.
For you are our loving Father. Even if our ancestors, Abraham and Jacob, don’t acknowledge us, you, O Yahweh, are our loving Father! From ancient times your name is our Redeemer.
Who is this coming from the city of Bozrah in Edom? He is dressed in garments of bright scarlet, robed in a garment dyed bright red, marching like a champion in his great power and might. “It is I! I am the one who announces righteousness, I am mighty and ready to save!”
“Come together! Assemble yourselves! Draw near, you refugees from among the nations. Those who parade their powerless wooden idols have no revelation-knowledge. They keep on praying to gods who cannot save them.
Idol-makers amount to nothing, and the things they treasure can do no one any good. They are witnesses with blind eyes who know nothing; they will be disgraced.
For Yahweh says: “Sing with joyous delight for Israel! Yes, shout out praise for the foremost of the nations. ‘Yahweh, save your people, the remnant of Israel. Proclaim the news! Praise him! Shout it out!’
In that day, neither the remnant of Israel nor the survivors of the house of Jacob will lean anymore upon the one who abused them, but they will lean fully on the faithfulness of the Lord Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel.