The Armor of God

Isaiahchapter 52

15 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 286 cross-references outward and receives 296 — heaviest partner: Isaiah.

Chapter summary

Zion is commanded twice to awake, put on strength and beautiful garments, and rise from the dust: sold for nought — oppressed in Egypt, then by Assyria without cause — she will be redeemed without money, and the people will know the name now blasphemed continually. The messenger's feet upon the mountains publish peace and salvation, "Thy God reigneth," words Paul applies to gospel preachers in Romans 10:15; watchmen sing, waste places of Jerusalem break forth into joy, and Jehovah bares his holy arm before all nations. A departure command follows: touch no unclean thing, bear the vessels of Jehovah cleanly, with Jehovah going before and behind — no flight in haste. Verses 13-15 open the fourth Servant Song: the Servant deals wisely and is exalted, though his visage is marred more than any man; he sprinkles many nations, and kings shut their mouths at him.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Prophecy · Isaiah — see the Isaiah overview for the book's full setting.

7–12 The Armor of God13–14 The Suffering Servant15 The Suffering Servant

1 Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

2 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit on thy throne, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bonds of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.

3 For thus saith Jehovah, Ye were sold for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.

4 For thus saith the Lord Jehovah, My people went down at the first into Egypt to sojourn there: and the Assyrian hath oppressed them without cause.

5 Now therefore, what do I here, saith Jehovah, seeing that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them do howl, saith Jehovah, and my name continually all the day is blasphemed.

6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak; behold, it is I.

7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

8 The voice of thy watchmen! they lift up the voice, together do they sing; for they shall see eye to eye, when Jehovah returneth to Zion.