Isaiah 61:1-7

1 spiritus Domini super me eo quod unxerit Dominus me ad adnuntiandum mansuetis misit me ut mederer contritis corde et praedicarem captivis indulgentiam et clausis apertionem

2 ut praedicarem annum placabilem Domini et diem ultionis Deo nostro ut consolarer omnes lugentes

3 ut ponerem lugentibus Sion et darem eis coronam pro cinere oleum gaudii pro luctu pallium laudis pro spiritu maeroris et vocabuntur in ea fortes iustitiae plantatio Domini ad glorificandum

4 et aedificabunt deserta a saeculo et ruinas antiquas erigent et instaurabunt civitates desertas dissipatas in generationem et generationem

5 et stabunt alieni et pascent pecora vestra et filii peregrinorum agricolae et vinitores vestri erunt

6 vos autem sacerdotes Domini vocabimini ministri Dei nostri dicetur vobis fortitudinem gentium comedetis et in gloria earum superbietis

7 pro confusione vestra duplici et rubore laudabunt partem eorum propter hoc in terra sua duplicia possidebunt laetitia sempiterna erit eis

Isaiah 61:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 61

In this chapter both Christ and the church are introduced speaking, in their turns. It begins with the words of Christ, describing his work and office; his qualifications for it; the several parts and branches of it; and the ends to be answered by it; Isa 61:1-3, the reparation of the church; the feeding it by strangers; its being a holy priesthood; its enjoying the riches of the Gentiles; its having honour and joy, instead of shame and confusion; its prosperity in the work of the Lord, and the continuance of its spiritual offspring among the Gentiles, are prophesied of in Isa 61:4-9, and then the church is represented as rejoicing in the Lord, on account of her being clothed with his righteousness, so ornamental to her, Isa 61:10 and the chapter is concluded with a promise of her righteousness and glory appearing before all the nations of the world; of which the following chapter is an illustrious prophecy, Isa 61:11.