_Behold my servant_, &c. “The prophet, having opened his subject with the preparation for the return from the captivity at Babylon, and intimated that a much greater deliverance was covered under the veil of that event, proceeded to vindicate the power of God, as Creator and Disposer of all things,... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall not cry_ In a way of contention or ostentation. He shall neither erect nor govern his kingdom with violence or outward pomp and state, like worldly princes, but with meekness and humility. _He shall not lift up_ Namely, his voice; _nor cause_ it _to be heard in the street_ As contentious a... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall not fail, nor be discouraged_ Though he be thus meek and gentle, yet he is also courageous and resolute, notwithstanding all the many and great difficulties and conflicts to which he will be exposed, and he will persevere till he have finished his work. _Till he have set judgment in the ea... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thus saith God the Lord_, &c. This large description of God's infinite power is here seasonably added, to give assurance of the certain accomplishment of these great and wonderful promises, which otherwise would seem incredible. _I the Lord have called thee in righteousness To declare_ my _righteou... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am the Lord_ Hebrew, _Jehovah;_ who have all being in and of myself, and give being to all my creatures. The everlasting, and unchangeable, and omnipotent God, who therefore both can and will fulfil all my promises. _That is my name_ Which I must own and justify to the world. He seems to allude t... [ Continue Reading ]
Isaiah 42:10 ; ISAIAH 42:12. _ Sing unto the Lord a new song_ Upon this new and great occasion, the salvation of the world by Christ. It is with peculiar propriety and elegance that the nations are here called upon and exhorted to praise and extol Jehovah, for the singular blessing conferred upon th... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord shall go forth_ Namely, to battle against his enemies. _He shall stir up jealousy_ His fierce indignation against the obstinate enemies of his Son and gospel. _He shall cry, yea, roar_ As a lion doth upon his prey, and as soldiers do when they begin the battle. _I have long time held my pe... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I will bring the blind_ The ignorant Gentiles, represented as _blind, Isaiah 42:7_, and in many other parts of Scripture, and accounted blind by the Jews; _by a way that they knew not_ By the way of truth, which hitherto hath been hidden from them. _I will make darkness light before them_, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hear, ye deaf_, &c. O you, whosoever you are, whether Jews or Gentiles, who shall resist this clear light, and obstinately continue in your former errors, attend diligently to my words, and consider these mighty works of God. _Who is blind but my servant?_ But no people under heaven are so blind as... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord is well pleased_, &c. Although thou art a wicked people, that rebellest against the clearest light, and therefore God might justly destroy thee suddenly, yet he will patiently wait for thy repentance, that he may be gracious; and that not for thy sake, but for the glory of his own faithful... [ Continue Reading ]
_But this is a people robbed and spoiled_ Notwithstanding the great respect which God hath had, and still hath, for his people, it is evident he hath severely scourged them for their sins. _They are all of them snared in holes_, &c. They have been taken in snares made by their own hands, and, by God... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury_, &c. Most grievous judgments. _It hath set him on fire round about_ This was literally fulfilled when the Chaldean army took their city, and burned both it and their temple. _Yet he knew_ it _not_ Considered it not: they were secure and stupid under God's... [ Continue Reading ]