Awake — This is a prediction and promise what she should do, that she should awake or arise out of her low estate, and be strong and courageous. Beautiful garments — Thy sorrows shall be ended, and thou shalt be advanced into a glorious condition. O Zion — O my church. Come — Either to molest thee,... [ Continue Reading ]
The dust — In which thou hast sat as a mourner. The bands — The yoke of thy captivity shall be taken off from thee.... [ Continue Reading ]
Sold yourselves — By your sins, without any valuable consideration paid by them either to you, or to your Lord and owner. Without money — Without paying any ransom.... [ Continue Reading ]
Egypt — Where they had protection and sustenance, and therefore owed subjection to the king of Egypt. And yet when he oppressed them, I punished him severely, and delivered them out of his hands. The Assyrian — The king of Babylon, who is called the king of Assyria, 2 Kings 23:29, as also the Persia... [ Continue Reading ]
What have I — Why do I sit still here, and not go to Babylon to punish the Babylonians, and to deliver my people? For nought — Without any provocation, or pretence of right. Howl — By their unmerciful usage. Blasphemed — The Babylonians blasphemed me as if I wanted either power or good will to save... [ Continue Reading ]
Shall know — They shall experience my power and goodness in fighting for them. In that day — When I shall redeem my people: which work was begun by the return of the Jews from Babylon, and perfected by the coming of the Messiah. Behold — That all these promises are the words of the omnipotent, uncha... [ Continue Reading ]
The mountains — Of Judea, to which these glad tidings were brought, and from which they were spread abroad into other countries. Of him — Or, of them; the singular number being put for the plural. Returneth — In the days of the Messiah, God did discover and exercise his dominion over the world far m... [ Continue Reading ]
Thy watchmen — Thy ministers, who descry the approach of this heavenly king. Lift up thy voice — To give notice to all people of these glad tidings; and by way of exultation, to sing forth the praises of God for this glorious day. Eye — Distinctly and familiarly, their eyes beholding the eyes of thi... [ Continue Reading ]
Depart — Out of Babylon. Touch — Carry not along with you any of their superstitions or idolatries. Ye — And especially your priests and Levites, who minister in holy things, and carry the holy vessels of the temple, keep yourselves from all pollution.... [ Continue Reading ]
Not by flight — But securely, and in triumph, being conducted by your great captain the Lord of hosts. Rereward — So that none shall be able either to oppose you in your march, or to fall upon you in the rear.... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold — This is the beginning of a new prophecy, which is continued from hence to the end of the next chapter. My servant — That it is Christ who is here spoken of, is so evident, that the Chaldee paraphrast, and other ancient, and some later Hebrew doctors, understand it directly of him, and that... [ Continue Reading ]
Astonished — At his humiliation. Thee — At thee, O my servant. His form — Christ, in respect of his birth, breeding, and manner of life, was most obscure and contemptible. His countenance also was so marred with frequent watchings, and fastings, and troubles, that he was thought to be near fifty yea... [ Continue Reading ]
So — His exaltation shall be answerable to his humiliation. Sprinkle — With his word or doctrine; which being often compared to rain or water, may be said to be sprinkled, as it is said to be dropped, Deuteronomy 32:2; Ezekiel 20:46. Kings — Shall be silent before him out of profound humility, rever... [ Continue Reading ]