Isaiah 9:3

Thou hast multiplied the nation, so the prophet addresses the Lord in a direct hymn of praise, since He, beginning with Galilee, extended the circle of believers in Him until His Church was spread over the whole world, and not increased the joy, or, "to whom Thou didst not magnify the joy," the reference once more being to the time of great sorrow and distress under heathen conditions; they joy before Thee according to the joy in harvest, when the sacrificial feasts were eaten by grateful worshipers, Deuteronomy 12:7; Deuteronomy 14:26, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil, after a victorious campaign against their enemies.