8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.

10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God I will strengthen thee; yea, 1 will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.

12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.

13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

15 Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.

16 Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the

[with his people.

whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.

17 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

18 I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the de- i. sert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:

20 That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

21 Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the king of Jacob.

22 Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come.

23 Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.

24 Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you.

25 I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes

Ver. 7. The carpenter encouraged the goldsmith -Lowth," The carver encouraged the smith.” Him that smote-Lowth, " Smiteth."- -Saying, it is ready, &c.-Marg. "Saying of the soder, It is good." So Lowth."

Ver. 11. They that strive with thee-Heb. "The men of thy strife." So next verse, "Men of thy contention, of thy war."

Ver. 14. Men-Lowth," Mortals" of Israel. Ver. 1 ng teeth-Heb. "Mouths;" i. e. On Hebrew threshing, see Note 27, 28.

jagged

Ver. 19. The shittch tree-Lowth, "The acacia." Ver. 21. Your strong reasons. This last word seems improperly supplied. Lowth reads, " Your mighty powers; but, with submission, we should rather supply" statements;" we conceive the language to be judicial, and the idols (see ver. 23.) are challenged to state the'r cause (or controversy, Jer. XXV. 31.) in the strongest terms.

Ver. 22. Consider them-Heb.Set our heart upon them.".

Ver. 24. Ye are of nothing.... of noughtLowth, "Less than nothing... less than nought.”

A prophecy ]

26 Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know ? and beforetime, that we may say, He is righteous? yea, there is none that sheweth, yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that heareth your words.

27 The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them and I will give. to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings.

28 For I beheld, and there was no man; even among them, and there was no counsellor, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word.

29 Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion. (0)

CHAP. XLII.

BEHOLD my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my

CHAP. XLI.

upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

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

3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judg ment unto truth.

4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he hath set judgment in the earth and the isles shall wait for his law.

5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:

6 I the LORD have called thee in

righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a

(0) God's expostulation with his people on their ingratitude.-The Prophet having intimated the deliverance from Babylon, and the still greater redemption couched under it, resumes the subject, foretells the success of the deliverer that should release them from their captivity, and the ineffectual attempts of the nations and their idols to impede his progress. He then encourages the seed of Abraham not to fear; for that God would subdue all their enemies under them, and furnish every thing necessary to refresh and comfort them in their passage homewards through the desert. These he exhibits, under the figures of fountains and rivers, and the cultivation of the barren deserts. The Prophet then takes occasion to extol the prescience of God, in his knowledge of future events;

and justly challenges the idols of the heathens to give the like proof of their Pretended divinity. But they are all vanity, and accursed are they that choose or serve them.

The chief question in this chapter regards the righteous person from the east," concerning whom there are two principal opinions. Bp. Imuth, following the Chaldee and the great stream of Jewish interpreters, understands it of Abraham; but with all our reverence for the learned prelate, we confess ourselves more inclined to the interpretation which explains it of Cyrus, who is expressly named by the Prophet, chap. xliv. and xlv.; in the last verse of the former being called the Lord's "Shepherd," and in the first of the latter "the Lord's anointed," and before whom the Lord had promised to break his enemies in pieces. The advocates of both these interpretations, however, give the text a reference ultimately to the Messiah, in whom centre all the rays of typical and prophetic glory. The latter interpretation (as referring to Cyrus) is sanctioned also by names of great eminence, among whom we shall only mention Mr. Gataker, Dr. J. Smith, and Dr. Boothroyd.

Ver. 25. From the north, &c.-This is understood of Cyrus, his father a native of l'ersia, east of Babylon, and his mother of Media, north of that city. Ver. 27. The first-Lowth, I first (i. e. by my prophets) say to Zion," &c.

Ver. 28. Ecen amongst them-Meaning the idols. So Lowth.No counsellor. Compare Note on ver. 21.

CHAP. XLII. Ver. 1. Judgment to the Gentiles -Lowth, "Nat ons." See Matt. xii. 20.

Ver. 2. He shalt not cry nor lift up-Lowth, "Nor raise a clamour." The meaning evidently is, we conceive, that he should not raise a sedifion, or attempt to excite tumult, in which respect our Sviour was eminently distinguished from all the fal messiahs of whom we read.

Ver. 4. Discouraged-Heb." Broken."

ར་

A prophecy] covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

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.

8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare before they spring forth I tell you of them.

10 Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.

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.

12 Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.

13 The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.

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.

15 I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.

[of the Messiah.

16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

17 They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.

18 Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.

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?

20 Seeing many things, but thou ob servest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.

21 The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will mag bi nify the law, and make it honourable.

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.

23 Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?

24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? Did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? For they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.

25 Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the

Ver. 6. Have called thee. This is addressed expressly to Messiah: compare ch. xlix. 8; Luke ii. 32. Ver. 7. To open (ke blind eyes.—See ch. xxxv. 3. -xi. 1; Luke iv. 18.

Ver, 10. All that is therein-Heb. "The fulness thereof,"

Ver. 11. Let the wilderness-Arab'a Deserta: the rock, Arabia Pretræa: of the Arabs, some dwelt in tents only; others in the towns and villages, but wandering from one to another. Lowth.

Ver. 13. He shall cry, yea rear.—This alludes to the shout of war; see Josh. vi. 5, 10, 16.

14. I will destroy and devour at once-Heb. Fow up." Lowth refers this, as the clause Ta woman in travail; "breaking short, my breath with violence;" or, as it once drawing in my breathi."

Ver. 15. Dry up all their herbs-Lowth, "Burn up all the grass "—I will make the rivers islandsLowth Deserts."

Ver. 16, Crooked things straight-Lowth, “The rugged ways smooth.”

Ver. 19. Deaf as my messenger — Lowth," Deaf as he to whom I sent my messengers ?"....As ke that is perfect-Lowth, Perfectly instructed."

Ver. 20 Seeing many things-Boothroyd, "Then verily seest, but wilt not regard. Thine ears are open, yet wilt thou not hear." Lowth to the same eflect.

Ver. 2. They are all-Marg. "All their young men are snared," &c. To the same effect, Lowth .... For a spoil - Heb. “A treading ;" i. e. to be trodden under foot.

[promises of salvation.

give men for thee, and people for thy life.

CHAP. XLIII.

BUT UT now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I

5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

8 Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have

ears.

9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.

10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen : that ye may know and believe

CHAP. XLII.

(P) A prophecy of the Messiah.-Here the Prophet drops the veil, and brings the Messiah into full view, without type or allegory: "Behold my servant, Messiah," says the Chaldee. St. Matthew, (chap. xii. 18, &c.) has applied this directly to Jesus Christ; nor can it (says Bp. Louth) with any justice or propriety be applied to any other person whatever. The Prophet then expatiates on the meekness of his character, and the extent and blessings of his kingdom, particularly among the Gentiles; and calls upon all nations to join in one song of praise to God on his incarnation. After. this, (ver. 13.) he seems again to glance at the deliverance from the captivity, although the words no less aptly apply to the deliverance vouchsafed the Church, the overthrow of her most powerful enemies, and to the prevalency of true religion over idolatry and error. Lastly, the Prophet reproves the blindness and infidelity

of the Jews, in rejecting their Messiah, and gives intimation of those awful judgments, which their guilt would at length draw upon them.

There is some difficulty as to the person spoken of in ver. 21. Lowth and Boothroyd supply the pronoun "him"-meaning Israel; but we are much disposed to refer back to ver. 1. (the more early antecedent,) the Lord's "elect " (or chosen) servant, "in whom his soul delighteth."In him, we apprehend, the Lord was well pleased, for his (Messiah's) righteousness' sake-He (Messiah) will magnify the law, and make it (or him) honourable:" and this agrees exactly with the doctrine of the New Testament, (See Matt. iii. 17. Rom iii. 25, 26.) This, however, is offered to the reader's consideration: it is certain, that when God or Christ is spoken of, as being the great subject of revelation, the relative is often omitted, or left at a considerable distance.

CHAP. XLIII. Ver. 2. Walkest through the fire-Mr. Harmer thinks this alludes to setting on fire fields of grass.

Ver. 3. Egpt for thy ransom-" God (says Bp. Lowth) has often saved his people at the expense of other nations, whom he has (as it were) given up to

destruction." Particularly Egypt and Cush, or Ethiopia, see ch. xx. 4 and 5; xxxvii. 9.

Ver. 8. The blind people,&c.-Comp.ch. xlii. 18, 19. Ver. 10. Neither shall there be after me-Lowth, "And after me none shall exist."

The church encouraged with]

me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.

12 I have declared and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.

13 Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?

14 Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.

15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.

16 Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;

17 Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.

18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

CHAP. XLIII.

[promises of salvation.

20 The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.

21 This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.

22 But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.

23 Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense.

24 Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.

25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

26 Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

27 Thy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers have transgressed against

me.

28 Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches. (Q.)

(Q) The church encouraged with promises of salvation.We have here the pleasing prospect of those times of reconcilia tion and favour which should hereafter succeed, when, with tender care, God should gather again his people from their several dispersions throughout the world, and

bring them safely to their own land. Struck with astonishment at so clear a display of an event so distant, the Prophet again challenges all the pagan nations and their idols to produce an instance of such foreknowledge, and intimates that the Yews should remain (as at this day) a separate people, to witness the truth of the

Ver. 27. Thy first father - Lowth, Thy chief header.". Thy teachers - Heb " Interpreters;" Lowth," Public teachers,”

Ver. 28. Thy princes-Heb," Holy princes;" i, e. priests.