Isaiah 40:9-12

9 You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem,[a]lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”
10 See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.
11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?

Isaiah 40:9-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 40

This chapter treats of the comforts of God's people; of the forerunner and coming of the Messiah; of his work, and the dignity of his person; of the folly of making idols, and of the groundless complaints of the church of God. The consolations of God's people, by whom to be administered, and the matter, ground, and reason of them, Isa 40:1,2. John the Baptist, the harbinger of Christ, is described by his work and office, and the effects of it; it issuing in the humiliation of some, and the exaltation of others, and in the revelation of the glory of Christ, Isa 40:3-5, then follows an order to every minister of the Gospel what he should preach and publish; the weakness and insufficiency of men to anything that is spiritually good; their fading and withering goodliness, which is to be ascribed to the blowing of the Spirit of God upon it; and the firmness and constancy of the word of God is declared, Isa 40:6-8, next the apostles of Christ in Jerusalem are particularly exhorted to publish fervently and openly the good tidings of the Gospel; to proclaim the coming of Christ, the manner of it, and the work he came about; and to signify his faithful discharge of his office as a shepherd, Isa 40:9-11, the dignity of whose person is set forth by his almighty power, by his infinite wisdom, and by the greatness of his majesty, in comparison of which all nations and things are as nothing, Isa 40:12-17 and then the vanity of framing any likeness to God, and of forming idols for worship, is observed, Isa 40:18-25, and from the consideration of the divine power in creation and upholding all things, the church of God is encouraged to expect renewed strength and persevering grace, and is blamed for giving way to a distrustful and murmuring spirit, Isa 40:26-31.

Cross References 17

  • 1. Isaiah 41:27; Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 52:7-10; Isaiah 61:1; Nahum 1:15; S Acts 13:32; Romans 10:15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
  • 2. S Isaiah 1:1
  • 3. Isaiah 25:9
  • 4. Isaiah 35:4; Isaiah 59:20; Matthew 21:5; Revelation 22:7
  • 5. Isaiah 28:2
  • 6. S Psalms 44:3; S Isaiah 30:30; S Isaiah 33:2; Isaiah 59:16
  • 7. Isaiah 9:6-7
  • 8. S Isaiah 35:4; Isaiah 62:11; Revelation 22:12
  • 9. S Genesis 48:15; S Psalms 28:9; Ezekiel 34:23; S Micah 5:4; S John 10:11
  • 10. S Numbers 11:12
  • 11. S Deuteronomy 26:19
  • 12. Isaiah 49:10
  • 13. S Genesis 33:13; S Deuteronomy 30:4
  • 14. S Job 12:15; S Job 38:10
  • 15. Proverbs 30:4
  • 16. S Job 38:5; Hebrews 1:10-12
  • 17. S Job 38:18; Proverbs 16:11

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or "Zion, bringer of good news," / "go up on a high mountain." / "Jerusalem, bringer of good news"
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