The phrase In that day indicates that a new unit begins here (see the comments on the previous verse). This brief verse calls people to sing. However, what follows is not the words of their song; rather, Yahweh is the speaker. Revised Standard Version begins this vineyard song of Yahweh with the next line and concludes it at the end of verse 5. Good News Translation and Bible en français courant only include verses 3-5 as the song. It is best to include verses 2b-5 in the song. Some languages may want to add a quote frame here to indicate Yahweh is speaking (see Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch and the examples below).

A pleasant vineyard renders an emended Hebrew text, which Hebrew Old Testament Text Project cautiously recommends. Masoretic Text reads kerem chemer (literally “vineyard of wine”), but the emended text in Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia has kerem chemed (literally “vineyard of delight”). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh follows the emended text, but gives Masoretic Text in a footnote. Translators can follow either text here. Bible en français courant has “the vineyard with its delicious wine,” but Contemporary English Version and New International Version say “a fruitful vineyard.” The Hebrew word rendered pleasant refers to the excellent quality of the vineyard’s fruit.

Sing of it: Sing renders an imperative Hebrew verb. Good News Translation changes this verb and uses a statement rather than a command by rendering the last line as “the LORD will say of his pleasant vineyard.” It also adds “the LORD” from the next verse for clarity and naturalness. In many languages it will be helpful to make it explicit that the LORD is the speaker here, but the imperative verb sing should be kept. The pronoun it is feminine singular in Hebrew. It clearly refers to the vineyard, even though the Hebrew word for vineyard is masculine.

Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch provides a helpful model for this verse, saying “On that day the LORD says to you [plural]: ‘I have a wonderful vineyard; let everyone sing, sing a song to its honor!’” Other possible models are:

• At that time the LORD will say, “Sing a song about the pleasant vineyard!

• When that day comes, the Yahweh will say, “Sing a song about the vineyard and its wonderful wine!

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .