Isaiah 42

Isaiah 42:2

He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.

He shall make no noise in the world, but shall come without either pomp or tumult.

Isaiah 42:3

A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench; he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

Those, that are humbled and contrite, shall be rather relieve and comfort, than add any thing to their sorrow and affliction; and those, that have received but the weakest beginnings of grace, shall have no discouragement from him, but shall be rather cheered up by him: yet, so shall he be gracious to the penitently dejected, that he shall not bear with the obstinate sinner; but shall give severe judgment upon him, according to the justice of his demerits.

Isaiah 42:4

And the isles shall wait for his law.

The foreign nations, even of the Gentiles, shall yield themselves over joyfully to his government.

Isaiah 42:6

And give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the gentiles.

I will give thee for that Saviour of the World, in whom my covenant of saving mankind was founded of old; even in those ancient promises, which I made, both in paradise to the first parents of mankind, and after, to Abraham the father of the faithful; not only to that one chosen nation, but even to the Gentiles also, to whom I have ordained thee as a light, to guide them unto salvation.

Isaiah 42:7

To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

That, whereas mankind was utterly bereaved of the light of all divine knowledge, now, by his illumination, their eyes might be opened to see the things belonging to their peace; and, whereas they were shut up in a miserable bondage to sin and Satan, he might graciously deliver them.

Isaiah 42:11

Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit; let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.

Let the most barbarous of all nations know, that they have cause to praise and magnify the mercy of the Lord, for that interest which they shall have in this work of redemption; let therefore the wildest Arabians sing and celebrate this great goodness of God our Saviour.

Isaiah 42:14

I have long time holden my peace: I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman: I will destroy and devour at once.

I have long time refrained myself from a revenge of mine enemies, and delivering of my Church: now I can forbear no longer, but will suddenly express my love to the one, and my vengeance on the other; even as a woman, who hath long bitten in her pain, yet when the last throes of her childbirth came upon her, cannot forbear to cry out.

Isaiah 42:19

Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the Lord’s servant?

However the rest of the world may pretend for their ignorance and blindness, yet my chosen people, who have had such means ISALAH, CHAP. XLII., XLIII. of knowledge from me, might well put me into expectation of great skill in and conscionable care of my commandments; and now behold, to their shame be it spoken, who is so blind as their wilfulness hath made them: yea, not the ordinary sort of them only, but even my messengers and prophets, who have challenged much perfection to themselves, they have hoodwinked themselves from beholding the certain truth of my judgments.

Isaiah 42:21

The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.

The Lord is well pleased, for his gracious promise’s sake, to make good all that ever he hath undertaken, concerning his people; and to glorify himself, in the fulfilling of his word.

Isaiah 42:22

But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.

But this people make themselves unworthy and incapable of the great mercies of God; and will needs be guilty of those great miseries and calamities, that are coming upon them; for they shall be robbed and spoiled, and fettered in dungeons, and be exposed to an utter vastation.