Following a prophetic vision of harsh judgment and the collapse of wicked nations, a profound song of thanks and praise for redemption breaks forth. This song is sung either by the prophet himself or by the elders of the Israelites who will merit to witness God's future salvation.
The opening cry to the Creator acknowledges a dual reality. Recognizing His eternal nature points to His hidden, infinite essence, encompassing past, present, and future. At the same time, relating to Him as a personal God reflects His direct involvement and revelation to the Israelites through divine providence and supernatural miracles [מלבי״ם]. Furthermore, this declaration is an acknowledgment that the world was created with kindness, serving as the very foundation that allows miracles to occur [אברבנאל, חומת אנך].
This dual recognition naturally leads to a twofold response of exaltation and gratitude. Exaltation is directed toward God's hidden essence, which remains elevated and completely beyond human understanding. In contrast, gratitude is directed at His revealed actions in the world, which people can grasp and appreciate [מלבי״ם].
This gratitude stems from the immense wonders God has performed. The primary approach among commentators is that these wonders refer to future events of redemption, such as the gathering of the exiles and the final defeat of oppressive empires at the end of days. Conversely, another perspective views these wonders through a historical lens, pointing back to the miraculous plagues in Egypt and the splitting of the Red Sea. These early miracles were orchestrated with profound wisdom to save the Israelites and sanctify God's name throughout the world [חומת אנך].
These extraordinary events are not random occurrences; they are the unfolding of deep plans set in motion long ago. Most commentators agree that these plans refer to the ancient prophecies and promises delivered by the prophets. A more specific view suggests that these ancient designs trace back to the covenant God made with Abraham, where both the exile and the ultimate redemption were decreed [רש״י, חומת אנך]. Another perspective looks back even further, seeing the roots of these plans in the very creation of the world [אברבנאל].
The fulfillment of these ancient plans is deeply stable and enduring, much like a peg driven firmly into solid ground [רש״י, מצודת ציון, מלבי״ם]. The promises made in the distant past have materialized with absolute reliability and strength. Seeing these ancient guarantees come to life in such a permanent and steadfast way ultimately strengthens the faith within the hearts of the people [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, שטיינזלץ].