48:2 joy of all the earth. Although the nations did not acknowledge Him, God is King of the universe and not only of Israel.

the far north. Lit. “beyond Zaphon.” This is not a reference to Jerusalem but to a mountain often described in Canaanite texts as the dwelling place of their gods (Is. 14:13 and notes). Yahweh is described with terms used by the neighboring religions to show that all praise really belongs to the true God. Praise to other gods is in vain because they do not exist (Is. 44:6; 1 Cor. 8:4).