Isaiah 52

1 consurge consurge induere fortitudine tua Sion induere vestimentis gloriae tuae Hierusalem civitas sancti quia non adiciet ultra ut pertranseat per te incircumcisus et inmundus

2 excutere de pulvere consurge sede Hierusalem solve vincula colli tui captiva filia Sion

3 quia haec dicit Dominus gratis venundati estis et sine argento redimemini

4 quia haec dicit Dominus Deus in Aegyptum descendit populus meus in principio ut colonus esset ibi et Assur absque ulla causa calumniatus est eum

5 et nunc quid mihi est hic dicit Dominus quoniam ablatus est populus meus gratis dominatores eius inique agunt dicit Dominus et iugiter tota die nomen meum blasphematur

6 propter hoc sciet populus meus nomen meum in die illa quia ego ipse qui loquebar ecce adsum

7 quam pulchri super montes pedes adnuntiantis et praedicantis pacem adnuntiantis bonum praedicantis salutem dicentis Sion regnavit Deus tuus

8 vox speculatorum tuorum levaverunt vocem simul laudabunt quia oculum ad oculum videbunt cum converterit Dominus Sion

9 gaudete et laudate simul deserta Hierusalem quia consolatus est Dominus populum suum redemit Hierusalem

10 paravit Dominus brachium sanctum suum in oculis omnium gentium et videbunt omnes fines terrae salutare Dei nostri

11 recedite recedite exite inde pollutum nolite tangere exite de medio eius mundamini qui fertis vasa Domini

12 quoniam non in tumultu exibitis nec in fuga properabitis praecedet enim vos Dominus et congregabit vos Deus Israhel

13 ecce intelleget servus meus exaltabitur et elevabitur et sublimis erit valde

14 sicut obstipuerunt super te multi sic inglorius erit inter viros aspectus eius et forma eius inter filios hominum

15 iste asperget gentes multas super ipsum continebunt reges os suum quia quibus non est narratum de eo viderunt et qui non audierunt contemplati sunt

Isaiah 52 Commentary

Chapter 52

The welcome news of Christ's kingdom. (1-12) The humiliation of the Messiah. (13-15)

Verses 1-12 The gospel proclaims liberty to those bound with fears. Let those weary and heavy laden under the burden of sin, find relief in Christ, shake themselves from the dust of their doubts and fears, and loose themselves from those bands. The price paid by the Redeemer for our salvation, was not silver or gold, or corruptible things, but his own precious blood. Considering the freeness of this salvation, and how hurtful to temporal comfort sins are, we shall more value the redemption which is in Christ. Do we seek victory over every sin, recollecting that the glory of God requires holiness in every follower of Christ? The good news is, that the Lord Jesus reigns. Christ himself brought these tidings first. His ministers proclaim these good tidings: keeping themselves clean from the pollutions of the world, they are beautiful to those to whom they are sent. Zion's watchmen could scarcely discern any thing of God's favour through the dark cloud of their afflictions; but now the cloud is scattered, they shall plainly see the performance. Zion's waste places shall then rejoice; all the world will have the benefit. This is applied to our salvation by Christ. Babylon is no place for Israelites. And it is a call to all in the bondage of sin and Satan, to use the liberty Christ has proclaimed. They were to go with diligent haste, not to lose time nor linger; but they were not to go with distrustful haste. Those in the way of duty, are under God's special protection; and he that believes this, will not hasten for fear.

Verses 13-15 Here begins that wonderful, minute, and faithful description of the office, character, and glory of the Messiah, which has struck conviction to many of the most hardened unbelievers. Christ is Wisdom itself; in the work of our redemption there appeared the wisdom of God in a mystery. Those that saw him, said, Surely never man looked so miserable: never was sorrow like unto his sorrow. But God highly exalted him. That shall be discovered by the gospel of Christ, which could never be told in any other way. And Christ having once shed his blood for sinners, its power still continues. May all opposers see the wisdom of ceasing from their opposition, and be made partakers of the blood of sprinkling, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost; obeying him, and praising his salvation.

Chapter Summary

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.