The joy of the redeemed

35 Let the desert and parched land rejoice,

let the steppe-land exult and burst forth;

let it burst into bloom like narcissus,

and ring with glad cries of rejoicing,

2 All dowered with the glory of Lebanon,

the splendour of Carmel and Sharon:

they will witness the Lord’s own glory,

the majesty of our God.

3 Strengthen the hands that hang down,

and the tottering knees make firm;

4 tell you the wild-beating hearts

to be strong and unafraid.

Behold! your God is coming,

he will surely avenge his people;

God is coming in retribution,

he himself is coming to save you.

5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened,

the ears of the deaf unstopped;

6 then the lame will leap like a hart

and the tongue of the dumb will sing.

For waters break out in the desert,

and torrents in the wilderness;

7 the parched land becomes a pool,

and the thirsty land springs of water.

In the haunts of (wild cats and of) jackals

(your flocks and your herds) will rest,

and the court (where the ostriches camp)

will be filled with reeds and rushes.

8 And there a pure highway will rise,

to be called ‘The Holy Way’.

The unclean will not pass over it,

only those who walk in God’s way,

even fools will not go astray.

9 No lion will be there,

no ravenous beast will ascend it;

but there will the ransomed walk,

yea, the Lord’s redeemed will come home.

10 They will come unto Zion with singing;

and crowned with unending joy;

for at last joy and gladness have found them,

and sorrow and sighing are fled.