Isaiah 55

1. Ho, every one that thirsteth. The adaptation, richness, and freeness of Gospel blessings are contrasted with the costly and unsatisfying attempts of men to obtain happiness from other sources.

2. Hearken diligently. Lit., “Hearken, O hearken!”

3 the sure mercies of David. The blessings surely promised to David: see note on 2 Sam. vii. 10; and compare 2 Chron. vi. 42; Psa. lxxxix. 1, 3, 28. It is evident that the main and ultimate subject of the promise is the Messiah and His saving work; and to Him the Apostle Paul applies these words in Acts xiii. 34.

4 a witness to the people. This refers to the Messiah, who is to “the peoples” a “witness” bearing testimony to God’s truth, both condemnatory and saving (John xviii. 37; Mal. iii. 5; Rev. i. 5); and a “leader and commander” (Dan. ix. 25; Heb. ii. 10), ruling His followers and leading them on to victory.

9. So are My ways higher than your ways. Man’s forgiveness is arbitrary, partial, imperfect, and often reluctant; but God “delighteth in mercy,” and is ever ready to forgive all sin.

12 ye shall go out with joy. The joyful salvation of those who trust God’s “word” of grace, to whose happiness everything ministers. And this joy is accompanied with a moral change, which converts the wilderness into “the garden of the Lord”: comp. Psa. xcvi. 11; xxxv. 1, 2.

13. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, etc. “The change is compared to the transition from the wilderness (i.e., the misery of the exile), with its monotonous dwarf shrubs, to a park of beautiful trees (comp. xli. 18, 19), in the midst of which Israel is to walk “in solemn troops and sweet societies” (as in xxxv. 9)."—Cheyne.