What does the phrase ';beauty for ashes'; mean?

I have the song on cd and its very beautiful, but I never really have understood what that phrase means.What does the phrase ';beauty for ashes'; mean?
Isa 61:3 -- ...to give unto them beauty for ashes...





';'In the Hebrew there is here a beautiful paronomasia, which cannot be transferred to our language - אפר תחת פאר pe'ēr tachath 'êpher. The word rendered ‘beauty’ (פאר pe'ēr) means properly a head-dress, turban, tiara, or diadem; and the idea is, that the Redeemer would impart to his mourning people such an ornament instead of the ashes which in their grief they were accustomed to easy on their heads. For the use of the word, see Isa_3:20; Isa_61:10; Exo_39:29; Eze_24:17-23. It was common among the Orientals to east dust and ashes upon their heads in time of mourning, and as expressive of their grief (compare the notes at Isa_57:5; 2Sa_13:19).'; -- Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible





paronomasia: A play on words in which the same word is used in different senses.What does the phrase ';beauty for ashes'; mean?
To give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Isa. 61:3.





Millions went down to the grave loaded with infamy because they steadfastly refused to yield to the deceptive claims of Satan. . . . But now ';God is judge himself'; (Ps. 50:6). Now the decisions of earth are reversed. . . . They are no longer feeble, afflicted, scattered, and oppressed. Henceforth they are to be ever with the Lord.





They stand before the throne clad in richer robes than the most honored of the earth have ever worn. They are crowned with diadems more glorious than were ever placed upon the brow of earthly monarchs. The days of pain and weeping are forever ended. The King of glory has wiped the tears from all faces; every cause of grief has been removed. Amid the waving of palm branches they pour forth a song of praise, clear, sweet, and harmonious; every voice takes up the strain, until the anthem swells through the vaults of heaven: ';Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.';





In this life we can only begin to understand the wonderful theme of redemption. . . . Yet with the utmost stretch of our mental powers we fail to grasp its full significance. The length and the breadth, the depth and the height, of redeeming love are but dimly comprehended. The plan of redemption will not be fully understood, even when the ransomed see as they are seen and know as they are known; but through the eternal ages, new truth will continually unfold to the wondering and delighted mind. Though the griefs and pains and temptations of earth are ended and the cause removed, the people of God will ever have a distinct, intelligent knowledge of what their salvation has cost.





The cross of Christ will be the science and the song of the redeemed through all eternity. In Christ glorified they will behold Christ crucified. . . . As the nations of the saved look upon their Redeemer and behold the eternal glory of the Father shining in His countenance; as they behold His throne, which is from everlasting to everlasting, and know that His kingdom is to have no end, they break forth in rapturous song: ';Worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His own most precious blood!';





Mercy, tenderness, and parental love are seen to blend with holiness, justice, and power. While we behold the majesty of His throne, high and lifted up, we see His character in its gracious manifestations, and comprehend, as never before, the significance of that endearing title, ';Our Father.';
God trades you Beauty (life) for ashes (death). He restores. You had ashes, the burnt waste of something that has been consumed. He gave you beauty.
When ones life is in ruins (ashes) Jesus Christ gives us a new life, if we want it.





Secularly, see ';phoenix'; in the dictionary.
It suggests Earthly pursuits are vain and temporary.