Thou shall draw waters with joy out of the saviour's fountains:
וּשְׁאַבְתֶּם־מַ֖יִם בְּשָׂשׂ֑וֹן מִמַּעַיְנֵ֖י הַיְשׁוּעָֽה׃
8 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 9 commentaries
"And with joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation." Additional words accompany this declaration: "Rejoice and be glad, O dwellers of Zion, for the Holy One of Israel is among you. He calls upon all to bear witness and to proclaim to everyone, that none may feel shame in Me, but may call upon Me with confidence."
The God who calls and is prepared to recompense, who offers salvation, is filled with love, bestowing goodness upon those who recognize Him, and bestowing joy through divine and spiritual gifts upon those who praise Him. Observe how they profess their faith, declaring, “Behold, my God is my Savior, my Lord; I will trust in Him.” In response, He promises them refreshing springs and salvific waters; indeed, it is essential that those who have transitioned from darkness to light, from ignorance to true understanding of the living God, should be touched by the nurturing guidance and the words of Him who encouraged them and is capable of sustaining them in righteousness.
As it is written, “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Thus, it is through water that He calls forth the life-giving word of God, and by the holy Apostles and Evangelists, along with the prophets themselves, that this message is conveyed; salvation is embodied in Christ. Therefore, He says to you, who uplift me with your faith-filled confessions, that in return for this, you will be blessed with divine and spiritual encouragement, drawing from the Source of salvation, which is Christ, the Word who can sustain you. He appointed the holy Apostles, and as the blessed David sings, “The springs of water have appeared, and the foundations of the universe have been covered” (Psalm 17:16). These Divine disciples are indeed springs of water, issuing forth streams of heavenly words through the Spirit to all who dwell in the celestial realm. Likewise, they serve as the world's foundation; for the cornerstone is Christ, laid by God the Father as the foundation of Zion (Isaiah 28:16), which represents the Church. Upon Him we are established, and through faith are built into a spiritual house, a holy temple, and a dwelling place for God by the Spirit (Eph. 2:22). The stones that follow or the foundations of the universe are rightly referred to as those who proclaim Him throughout the earth, for their writings fortify us in faith and truth.
Upon exalting the Lord, the one who truly serves Him draws “water with gladness from the fountain of salvation.” When those who have turned to idolatry are reproached with the words, “Men have forsaken the fountain of living water,” it becomes clear that the believer who trusts in God and nourishes his spirit with salvific truths draws “water with gladness from the fountain of salvation.” The joy experienced by those honored to partake from this Source is illustrated by David's expression, “My soul longs for a strong, living God.” This profound longing generates an indescribable joy in those who have reached their heartfelt desires.
Furthermore, he who meditates on the law of the Lord both day and night, of whom it is said, “The mouth of the righteous shall learn wisdom,” diligently examines the Scriptures. Through earnest exploration, he encounters the Lord and, in the delight of such discovery, approaches the spiritual fulfillment that the Scriptures offer, drawing “water with gladness.”
You will joyfully receive water from the well of salvation, meaning you will eagerly embrace the message of life spoken by the priests, who the prophet likens to streams.
You will draw forth the waters of joy from the wells of the Saviour. He who was previously named Immanuel, and later referred to with various descriptions such as “carry away the spoils, make haste to plunder,” was proclaimed by Gabriel to the virgin, saying, “And thou shalt call His name Jesus: He shall save His people” (Matt. 1:21). This same Saviour calls to us now, declaring that from His wells shall be drawn the waters; from His springs shall flow the rivers of joy. It is from these sources that we are to drink, not from the troubled waters of Egypt or from the river Racine, but solely from the springs of Jesus, for the term for Saviour in Hebrew is encapsulated in this essence. Hence, He exclaims in the Gospel, “If any man thirst, let him come to Me and drink.
He that believeth in Me, as the Scripture saith, rivers of living water shall flow from his belly” (John 7:37-39). The Evangelist clarifies that this refers to the Spirit, which those who believe in His name are eager to receive. Furthermore, in another passage of the Gospel, He states: “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst: but the water that I will give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life” (John 4:14).
The wells of the Saviour signify the teachings of the Gospel, as noted in the sixty-seventh Psalm: “In the churches bless God, the Lord from the fountain of Israel” (Psalm 67:27).
It is better to embrace the insight that discerns one’s afflictions than to possess wisdom that is blind to them. Thus, the king, guided by the spiritual vision of his turmoil, confesses his suffering in such a manner that he is led to the remedy of repentance—a remedy that Judas, who fell through unrighteousness (Acts 1:18), could not grasp. He declares, “I am bent and utterly afflicted; all the day long I walk in sorrow” (Psalms 37:7). To what extent is he bent? He may be bending toward repentance, or even more profoundly, hinting at the mystery of Christ, who is the culmination and fulfillment of the law, the One who allowed Himself to be laid among the stones and whose lifeless body bore wounds. Yet those wounds did not emit the stench of regret, but rather the aroma of grace.
And unlike others who experience the decay of death, His wounds poured forth a fountain of everlasting life, as Scripture proclaims: “And water shall flow with joy out of the springs of salvation.” Therefore, from His wound, water springs forth, offering salvation to all who partake. All sinners on earth will drink deeply in order to be liberated from their sins. It is important to recognize each situation individually. Christ endured suffering to bring joy to those caught in despair. Let no one label the righteous as unhappy, as He stated, “Let no one make you miserable.” He was burdened so that we might find our footing; He was sorrowful so that we might experience joy, as it is written, “For if I grieve you, who shall make me glad but he that grieves me?” (2 Cor. 2:2). Thus, the one who is sorrowful for the Lord Jesus Christ is in turn made joyful by Him, and He rejoices in them. This understanding affirms that we need not offer formal excuses. Let us humble ourselves to the limit, nurturing not only our faith in Christ but also steadfastness in our trials, that we may take joy in them, just as Christ rejoiced in His Passion. The sufferings He bore for His servants we will bear for our Lord.
Though I may lack ability, the reading of the holy Scriptures remains an unceasing source of support, for as the apostle noted, “The Lord Jesus, being rich, became poor for your sakes, that ye might be enriched by His poverty” (2 Cor. 8:9). What is this poverty that enriches? Let us examine it, for it is pure and simple in its divine ordinance. No one is sprinkled with the blood of oxen, which is characteristic of Gentile sacrifices. It is not through the blood of goats and rams that the sinner is purified, for such rituals may wash the flesh, but they do not erase guilt. Rather, “water shall flow out,” He declares, “with gladness from the springs of salvation,” and a heavenly feast will be prepared before you; how lovely is the overflowing cup! (Psalms 22:5). This depicts the riches of hospitality found within the profound humility of Christ. Furthermore, poverty has a positive moral dimension, as the Lord proclaimed, “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matt. 5:3), and in the Psalms, it is written that “the Lord will save the humble in spirit” (Ps. 33:19). Poverty thrives in the meager endowment when faith abounds. Thus the apostle affirms, “And their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their joy” (2 Cor. 8:2).
There exists a vast chasm between the rich and the poor, for after death, the recompense remains unchanged; hence, in the realm of the dead, the rich man is depicted as seeking relief from the poor man. Water serves as sustenance for the soul in distress, as Isaiah states, “And in joy you shall draw water from the springs of salvation.” Yet why does the rich man suffer before judgment? For those accustomed to luxury, deprivation of pleasure becomes their punishment. The Lord also warns, “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God” (Luke 13:28). Unfortunately, the rich man sought to teach too late when he should have been learning, not instructing.
When facing trials and burdens, I experienced deep sorrow and walked in affliction throughout the day (Psalm 37:7). The psalmist mentions bending down; what does this refer to in terms of the end? Does it signify the conclusion of repentance under the law, or could it imply a deeper meaning that points to Christ, who embodies the fulfillment of the law (Rom. 10:4)? He endured the stoning, facing it even as wounds were inflicted upon His lifeless form (Jn. 10:31; 19:34). However, His injuries did not carry the rancor of regret but rather the sweet aroma of grace, allowing the fountain of eternal life to emerge from His wounds, as opposed to the decay of death witnessed in humanity. The Scriptures affirm, ‘And the water of gladness shall flow out of the springs of salvation’ (Isaiah 12:3).
Water poured forth from His wound (Jn. 19:34), providing salvation for all, so that every sinner may partake (Ps. 74:9) and be liberated from sin.
Reflect deeply: Jesus experienced suffering to bring joy to those born into hardship. No one could rightfully label a righteous individual as unfortunate, for the prophet declared, No one will make you miserable (Isaiah 33:1). He humbled Himself so we could rise; He suffered so we might experience joy. As stated, If I grieve you, who will make me glad but he who grieves me (2 Cor. 2:2). Those who are burdened by the Lord Jesus will find true joy in Him. And we acknowledge that our joy should be abundant! Let us bow low, presenting to Christ our faith and our perseverance in trials, so that we may find joy in our sufferings, just as Christ found joy in His own. He suffered for the sake of His servants, while we endure hardships for the glory of the Lord. This is the fulfillment to which the apostle refers—completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His Body, which is the Church, of which I am a servant (Colossians 1:24-25). When we accept the call to priestly ministry, we understand the weight we must bear; we are called not only to endure physical pain for ourselves but also for the Church of the Lord. David, moreover, added the aspect of soul suffering.
We refer to God as a source of life, for He quenches the thirst of the weary and fulfills the needs of the hungry.
The children of Israel will experience profound joy when they are gathered from their dispersion and united with the Gentile believers in Christ’s Church, as previously noted. This joy will manifest in their willingness to draw water from the wells of salvation. In Christ's faith, they will discover fulfillment for their spiritual hunger for truth, sanctity, and inner peace. Only through faith in Christ can individuals attain these graces, for it is He who connects them to His Source. He does not withhold these gifts from anyone; rather, He invites all those who are spiritually thirsty to come to Him with the promise of satisfaction: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:39). What a wondrous gift the water He provides is!
Those who partake of the water He offers will never be in want again, for the water He gives will become a well within them, “springing up into everlasting life” (John 6:14). This water symbolizes the grace of the Holy Spirit. Just as natural water satisfies physical thirst and rejuvenates, the grace of the Holy Spirit offered to all who believe in Christ quenches their thirst for truth, enlightening them with essential knowledge for their souls' salvation (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit fulfills the longing for truth; He is the guide to all necessary wisdom for redemption. He empowers believers against temptation and sanctifies them (Rom. 1:4), imparting peace and joy (Rom. 14:17) that surpass all understanding. The paths to receiving the grace of the Holy Spirit are clear: immersion in the Word of God, spoken by the Holy Spirit for our teaching, sanctification, and encouragement, participation in the sacraments and the diverse gifts of grace they convey, and prayer. Christ assured us that the heavenly Father would grant the Holy Spirit to those who seek Him (Luke 11:13). These represent the living and boundless sources of salvation from which the Lord, through His prophet, urges the children of Israel to joyfully draw. The miraculous provision of water from the rock in the wilderness, as demonstrated by Moses, serves as a foreshadowing of this, for, as the Apostle explains, those who drank that water “drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ” (1 Cor. 10:4), who bestows the Holy Spirit upon all believers.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS