Isaiah 65:18 Meaning: Called to Rejoice in God's New Creation
But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for, behold, I create Jerusalem to be a delight, and her people a joy.
But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
But joy ye, and rejoice for ever, that I am Creator, For, lo, I am creating Jerusalem a rejoicing, And her people a joy.
But be glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create. For behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
Meaning in one sentence
Isaiah 65:18 meaning, God promises to create Jerusalem as a delight and her people a joy, calling us to rejoice forever in His new creation.
Context
The prophet Isaiah has just delivered a stark contrast between the rebellious and God's faithful servants. Then comes a breathtaking promise: God will create new heavens and a new earth, and the former troubles will be forgotten. In that very moment, he calls his people to be glad and rejoice forever in what he is making. Jerusalem itself will become a delight, and its people a joy. This is not a distant fantasy. It is the solid hope that reshapes how God's people live right now, even while they wait.
Key Words
Two Hebrew verbs stand side by side at the start: śiśu (rejoice) and gilu (be glad). Both carry the sound of a celebration that is loud and physical, clapping, shouting, the kind of joy you cannot contain. God is not asking for polite gratitude. He is inviting a festival.
The nouns that follow are just as strong. Jerusalem will become gīlâ (rejoicing) and the people māśōś (joy). These are the same words used for the exultation of a wedding feast or the gladness after a great victory. God is not just fixing a broken city. He is creating it anew with joy baked into its very fabric.
And the verb bōrē (create) is the same word from Genesis 1. It means to bring into existence something that did not exist before. This is not renovation. It is divine making.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have read this verse as both a present hope and a future promise. Wesley and Gill saw the church under the gospel as the Jerusalem God creates a joy. Barnes emphasised that the joy of God's people is permanent, not a fleeting emotion. Matthew Henry pointed to partial fulfilment after the exile and a fuller completion yet to come. Keil and Delitzsch called it the culminating point of the prophecy. All agree: God is doing something new, and his people are called to rejoice in it.
A common misunderstanding
Some read this verse as a command to always feel happy, no matter what life brings. In fact, the joy here flows from what God is creating, not from changing circumstances. It is a deep gladness rooted in his promise to make all things new. You can hold onto that hope even when your heart is heavy.
Living This Out
This week, when you see brokenness in your world or in your own life, remember that God is still creating. He is shaping Jerusalem into a delight. He is making his people a joy. You don't have to pretend everything is fine. But you can anchor yourself in the certainty that God is at work. Let that hope shape how you pray, how you treat others, and how you face each day.
Main takeaway: God’s promise to create Jerusalem a joy is so certain that we can rejoice now in the hope of what he is making.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God says He is making a happy city. He wants us to be glad because He is making everything new. We can trust Him and be joyful.
For ages 9, 12
In this verse, God promises to turn Jerusalem into a place of joy and celebration. It's like God is building a perfect home where no one is sad anymore. Even though we can't see it yet, we know God will do it. That's why we can be joyful right now, because God's promises are sure.
Questions People Ask
What does 'I create Jerusalem a rejoicing' mean in Isaiah 65:18?
God declares that he will transform Jerusalem into a source of joy and celebration. This is part of his new creation, where his people experience lasting gladness. The emphasis is on God's creative power bringing about something entirely new.
Is this verse about a future event or something that happens now?
Both. The immediate context points to a future new heavens and new earth. But many Christians also understand it as the joy of the church in the present age, as God creates new life in believers and builds his community.
How can I 'rejoice forever' when I am struggling?
The joy here is rooted in what God is doing, not in changing circumstances. It is a deep trust that God is making all things new, even when we cannot see it. You can hold onto that promise even in hard times.
Does 'Jerusalem' mean the literal city in Israel or the church?
Christians have seen it both ways. Some see it as the redeemed people of God, the heavenly Jerusalem. Others look forward to a restored earthly Jerusalem. Both views affirm that God will create a community of joy.
What is the connection between this verse and verse 17 about new heavens and a new earth?
Verse 18 is a direct response to verse 17. Because God is creating new heavens and a new earth, his people can be glad and rejoice forever. The new creation includes a joyful Jerusalem at its center.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study