2 Nephi 22

MDC Contents			2 Ne. 22:1 1 And in that day thou shalt say: O Lord, I will praise thee; though thou wast angry with me thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedest me. Chapter 22 is a thematic continuation of the text of chapter 21, and the two should be read as a continuing unit (as was done in the 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon). This verse does not begin a new subject, but depends directly upon the Millennial text of the previous chapter. Scriptural: In the context of the triumphal Millennial reign of the Messiah, the personified house of Israel speaks to the Lord. The house of Israel will acknowledge the justice of the Lord, the righteous anger of the past, and give thanks for her miraculous gathering and protection in that last day. In that last day, she will finally give to the Lord that credit and worship which she should have given all along. Literary: The section marked as a separate chapter here is the song of praise of the united Israel to the Lord. The speaker is the personified Israel, ad the particular speeches are the songs of praise (verses 1-3 and 4-6). 2 Ne. 22:2 2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation. The song of praise picks up on the main themes of the Millennial promise. Jehovah will once again be the active protector of his people, and they need not fear (referencing the verses in the previous chapter on the Millennial peace and the peaceful coexistence of both animal and human enemies. 2 Ne. 22:3 3 Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. Water is not only a universal symbol of life, but also finds tangential association in the Tree of Life imagery. In such close proximity to the earlier symbolic reference to the Tree of Life theme it should be expected that this reference can also be seen in that context. 2 Ne. 22:4 4 And in that day shall ye say: Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. 2 Ne. 22:5 5 Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things; this is known in all the earth. 2 Ne. 22:6 6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. The important part of this song is the triumphant ending "great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee." Israel will not only sing thee praises o their God, but their God will be in the midst of them. This is a physical, not a mystical presence. This is not the New Testament’s "For where two or three are gathered together in my name… (Matt. 18:20)" but an actual physical presence. As in the days of Moses, their God will literally be with them. No wonder they sing his praises. No wonder they broadcast the news to the nations. Their God will rule in Zion, he will reunite and reclaim his peculiar people, and he shall be there in their midst.
			by Brant Gardner. Copyright 1998