Isaiah 42 Commentary

This is the first of Isaiah’s four "Servant Songs" prophesying about the Messiah to come, and emphasizing that the coming Messiah will not only be a king, but also a servant. The song declares that the LORD’s Servant will be commissioned by God to bring forth justice to the nations. It also says that as He accomplishes His mission, He will not be boastful or quarrelsome. The LORD’s Servant will be extremely gentle and kind.

This is the first of Isaiah’s four “Servant Songs” prophesying about the Messiah to come. It emphasizes that the coming Messiah will not only be a king, but also a servant.

God is the author of all creation and the giver of life who calls us to recognize His greatness and place our trust in Him.

He embodies God’s steadfast promise and illuminates the path for all nations to enter relationship with the Creator.

Isaiah portrays God’s heart to heal human brokenness and offer freedom from every form of bondage.

God alone deserves our praise because His glory is His alone.

God’s reliability in former things points us to trust Him for all the new things He has promised.

Sing to the LORD a new song from every corner of creation.

All creation is invited to give joyful praise to God wherever they are found.

Everyone, even in the most distant coastlands, is commanded to worship and glorify God as Lord of all.

God is pictured as the ultimate Defender, stepping onto the battlefield to defeat all adversaries.

God, once silent, will powerfully act to bring about His purposes just as surely as a laboring mother cannot hold back the birth of a child.

God’s unstoppable might clears every obstacle so that His redeeming plan will prevail.

God’s promise of guidance and restoration in Isaiah 42:16 comforts those who feel disoriented or helpless, underscoring His unwavering faithfulness to lead His people from darkness to light.

This verse starkly warns that trusting in anything other than God leads only to shame.

God calls the spiritually deaf and blind to open their ears and eyes so that they can behold His truth and experience the blessing of walking in His ways.

This verse poignantly warns us that even the chosen can miss what God is doing unless they remain spiritually attentive.

God’s people must open their eyes and ears to truly see and hear His truth.

God is unyielding in His desire to showcase and uphold His law, revealing His righteous character as He invites His people to honor Him through faithful obedience.

This verse depicts the captivity and desolation of God’s people, emphasizing their desperate need for deliverance.

Heed God’s call today, so that you truly hear, believe, and walk in the life-giving truth He has set before you.

God allowed Israel to be plundered because they repeatedly chose disobedience over faithfulness, and His righteous discipline remains a reminder that walking in God’s ways produces blessing and protection.

God’s anger is poured out upon a stubborn heart so that we might urgently realize our need to repent and heed His voice.