Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return
Or "and", or "so" F17. In like manner, and as sure as the
Israelites had a way made for them through the sea to pass over,
so sure shall all those that are redeemed by the blood of Christ
from sin, Satan, the law, death, and hell, be gathered out of the
nations of the world, and from the antichristian states, and
shall be converted and turn to the Lord. Or these words are a
continuation of the above prayer, as Jarchi, "let them return";
or rather are an answer to it, and a promise that they should:
and come with singing unto Zion;
to the Gospel church, and join themselves to it, praising God for
his grace in calling and converting them, adoring the riches of
his distinguishing love, and singing the new song of redeeming
grace; and hereafter they shall return from the grave, and come
to Zion above, singing the song of Moses and of the Lamb:
and everlasting joy shall be upon their head;
visible in the present state, more so hereafter, when there will
be upon them an eternal weight of glory, a crown of life and
righteousness: they shall obtain joy and
gladness;
by having the presence of God, communion with him, views of
interest in Christ, and the gracious influences of the blessed
Spirit; all these they enjoy in the church now, but in full
perfection hereafter: and sorrow and mourning shall flee
away:
either for sin, having the discoveries and application of
forgiving love; or on account of desertion, now enjoying the
light of God's countenance; or by reason of persecution, which in
the latter day glory will entirely cease. But all this will be
most fully accomplished in the New Jerusalem church state, and
ultimate glory, ( Revelation
21:4 ) . (See Gill on Isaiah
35:10).