Isaiah 52:1-8

1 Rise thou, Zion, rise thou, be thou clothed in thy strength; Jerusalem, the city of the Holy (One), be thou clothed in the clothes of thy glory; for a man uncircumcised and a man unclean shall no more lay to, that he pass by thee (for the uncircumcised, and the unclean, shall never again enter thy gates).

2 Jerusalem, be thou shaken out of [the] dust; rise thou, (and) sit thou (down); thou daughter of Zion, (thou) prisoner, unbind the bonds of thy neck.

3 For the Lord saith these things, Ye be sold without cause, and ye shall be again-bought without silver. (For the Lord saith these things, Ye were sold for nothing, and ye shall be bought back without any silver.)

4 For the Lord God saith these things, My people in the beginning went down into Egypt, that it should be there an earth-tiller, either a comeling, and Assur falsely challenged it without any cause. (For the Lord God saith these things, In the beginning my people went down to Egypt, so that they could be earth-tillers, or newcomers, there, and the Assyrians oppressed them without any cause.)

5 And now what is to me here? saith the Lord; for my people is taken away without cause; the lords thereof do wickedly, saith the Lord, and my name is blasphemed continually all day (and my name is continually blasphemed all day long).

6 For this thing my people shall know my name in that day, for lo! I myself that spake, am present. (For this thing my people shall know my name on that day, for lo! I am he who spoke, and I am present.)

7 Full fair be the feet of him that telleth, and preacheth peace on hills, of him that telleth good (tidings), of him that preacheth health, and saith, Zion, thy God shall reign. (How beautiful on the mountains, be the feet of him who telleth, and preacheth peace, of him who telleth good news, of him who preacheth deliverance, or salvation, and saith, Zion, thy God reigneth.)

8 The voice of thy beholders; they raised the voice, they shall praise together; for they shall see with eye to eye, when the Lord hath converted Zion. (The voice of thy watchmen; they shall raise up their voices, they shall praise together; for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring back Zion/for they shall see with their own eyes, when the Lord shall return to Zion.)

Isaiah 52:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 52

This chapter is a prophecy of the glorious state of the church in the latter day, typified by the deliverance of the Jews from Babylon. The church, under the names of Zion and Jerusalem, is exhorted to awake and clothe herself with strength, and with beautiful garments, to shake off her dust, and loose her bands, since she should become a pure and separate people, Isa 52:1,2 and whereas the Lord's people had been afflicted formerly by the Egyptians, and more lately by the Assyrians, a free redemption is promised them; and the rather they might expect it, since the Lord was no gainer by their affliction, but a loser in his name and honour, as well as they distressed, Isa 52:3-5. And it is suggested, that the knowledge of the Lord should be spread, the good tidings of peace and salvation be delightfully published, and that the ministers of the Gospel should have clear light, and be harmonious and unanimous in the publishing of it, Isa 52:6-8. Upon which the waste places of Jerusalem are called upon to rejoice, both because of the restoration of the Jews, and the conversion of the Gentiles, Isa 2:9,10. And the people of God are called to go out of Babylon, the manner of their departure is directed, and something said for their encouragement, Isa 52:11,12. And the chapter is concluded with some account of the Messiah, of his humiliation and exaltation, and of his work and office, Isa 52:13-15, and which are enlarged upon in the next chapter, which ought properly to begin with these last verses.