Verse 1

For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.

Zion's sake — Zion and Jerusalem are both put for the church, Hebrews 12:22.

My peace — These seem to be the words of the prophet strongly resolving, notwithstanding all difficulties, to solicit God for the church's happiness, and constantly excite to the belief of it by his preaching, though it were long before it came, for Isaiah lived near two hundred years before this was accomplished.

Righteousness — With reference to the Babylonians, understand it of the righteousness of God, who hath promised his people deliverance, and he must be righteous, and so understand salvation before; or rather, the vindicating of his people's cause in the eyes of the nations by the ruin of the Babylonians; he will shew that his people have a righteous cause.

Lamp — And to that purpose is set up where it may be seen continually, to signify how eminently conspicuous this prosperous estate of the church should be among the nations, and as it may particularly relate to revealing of Christ unto the world.

Verse 2

And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.

A new name — The church shall be more renowned than ever, both in respect of her condition, and so called Hephzi-bah, and of her relation, and so called Beulah, and this new name the Lord gives them accordingly, verse4.

Verse 3

Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.

Crown of glory — An expression to set forth the dignity of her state.

In the hand — Preserved and defended by God's hand.

Royal diadem — The same thing with the former for substance. Or, the royal priesthood, whereof the apostle speaks, 1 Peter 2:9.

Verse 4

Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.

Forsaken — As a woman forsaken by her husband.

Thy land — The inhabitants of the land.

Hephzi-bah — My delight is in her; a new name agreeing with her new condition.

Beulah — Married; agreeing to her new relation.

Married — Thou shalt see the increase of thy children again in the land, as the fruit of thy married condition, which by reason of thy being forsaken of thy husband, were in a manner wasted and decayed: and this refers to the great enlargement of the church in the gospel days.

Verse 6

I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,

Day nor night — There shall be a vigilant and industrious ministry.

Ye — That is, are his servants. And here especially are meant his servants in ordinary, his remembrancers, such as put God in mind of his promise, and such as make the Lord to be remembered, putting his people in mind of him.

Verse 7

And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

A praise — By sending the Messiah, and those labourers into his vineyard, whereby the church may be established, and settled on sure foundations, and so become a matter of praise to God. All the nations shall praise him for her.

Verse 9

But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.

But — Thou shalt not sow, and another reap, as formerly.

Courts — In my courts: holiness being put for God himself.

Verse 10

Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.

Go through — It is doubled by way of emphasis. Go meet the Gentiles, whom God purposes to bring into the church.

Prepare — Let them not have any obstructions in their way.

Stones — That there be no stumbling-stone, or offence in their way.

Standard — An allusion to soldiers, that set up their standard that the army may know where to repair from all quarters.

Verse 11

Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

Zion — To Jerusalem, or the church.

Thy salvation — Thy saviour.

Reward — The reward due to the work.