Isaiah 51

1 the pit whence ye are digged. The quarry from which were brought the stones composing your national edifice; i.e., your progenitors Abraham and Sarah.

2. I called him alone. As a single individual.

4. I will make My judgement to rest. i.e., I will establish it.

9. Rahab. See notes on xxx. 7, and on Psa. lxxiv. 13.

11. Therefore the redeemed of the Lord, etc. Comp. xxxv. 10 in its connexion.

12. I, even I. This emphatic reduplication implies that Jehovah alone is all-sufficient to deliver from the mightiest oppressor (13). The address (fem.) is to Zion.

14. The captive exile hasteneth, etc. Rather, “The bent-down [prisoner] hasteneth to be loosed, and he shall not die [and go down] into the pit; his bread shall not fail. For I am,” etc. God’s salvation shall reach even him who, bent under heavy chains in the dungeon, is perishing with hunger. It shall therefore relieve the most extreme and hopeless suffering.

17. Which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord. This figure forcibly represents a state of helpless misery under Jehovah’s anger: see Ps. lxxv. 8.

19. These two things. Desolation by famine, and destruction by sword.

20. As a wild bull. Rather, “as an antelope” (R.V.).

23. Bow down. See Josh. x. 24, and note.