Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 7. I will mention the loving-kindnesses of the Lord] The prophet connects the preceding mercies of God to the Jews with the present prospect he has of their redemption by the Messiah; thus making a circle in which eternal goodness revolves. The remaining part of this chapter, with the whole chapter following, contains a penitential confession and supplication of the Israelites in their present state of dispersion, in which they have so long marvellously subsisted, and still continue to subsist, as a people; cast out of their country; without any proper form of civil polity or religious worship, their temple destroyed, their city desolated and lost to them, and their whole nation scattered over the face of the earth, apparently deserted and cast off by the God of their fathers, as no longer his peculiar people.
They begin with acknowledging God's great mercies and favours to their nation, and the ungrateful returns made to them on their part, that by their disobedience they had forfeited the protection of God, and had caused him to become their adversary. And now the prophet represents them, induced by the memory of the great things that God had done for them, as addressing their humble supplication for the renewal of his mercies. They beseech him to regard them in consideration of his former loving-kindness, they acknowledge him for their Father and Creator, they confess their wickedness and hardness of heart, they entreat his forgiveness, and deplore their present miserable condition under which they have so long suffered. It seems designed as a formulary of humiliation for the Israelites, in order to their conversion.
The whole passage is in the elegiac form, pathetic and elegant; but it has suffered much in our present copy by the mistakes of transcribers.
The praises of the Lord "The praise of JEHOVAH"] For twlht tehilloth, plural, twenty-nine MSS. (three ancient) and two editions, have tlht tehillath, in the singular number; and so the Vulgate renders it; and one of the Greek versions, in the margin of Cod. Marchal. and in the text of MSS. Pachom. and i. D. ii. thn ainesin kuriou, "the praise of the Lord." -L.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- God's care of his church and people. (Is. 62:1-5) The office of ministers in preaching the gospel. (Is. 62:6-9) Every hinderance shal be removed from the way of salvation. (Is. 62:10-12)
Is. 62:1-5 The Son of God here assures his church of his unfailin love, and his pleading for her under all trails and difficulties. Sh shall be called by a new name, a pleasant name, such as she was neve called by before. The state of true religion in the world, before the preaching of the gospel, no man seemed to have any real concern for God, by his grace, has wrought that in his church, which makes her his delight. Let us thence learn motives to holiness. If the Lord rejoice over us, we should rejoice in his service.
Is. 62:6-9 God's professing people must be a praying people. He is no displeased with us for being earnest, as men commonly are; he bids u to cry after him, and give him no rest, Luke 11:5,6. It is a sign tha God is coming to a people in mercy, when he pours out a spirit of prayer upon them. See how uncertain our creature-comforts are. See als God's mercy in giving plenty, and peace to enjoy it. Let us delight i attending the courts of the Lord, that we may enjoy the consolations of his Spirit.
Is. 62:10-12 Way shall be made for Christ's salvation; all difficultie shall be removed. He brings a reward of comfort and peace with him; but a work of humiliation and reformation before him; and they shall be called, The holy people, and, The redeemed of the Lord. Holiness put honour and beauty upon any place or person, makes them admired beloved, and sought after. Many events may have been part fulfilment of this, as earnests of more glorious times yet to come. The clos connexion between the blessedness of the Jews and of the Gentiles, run through the Scriptures. The Lord Jesus will complete his work, and he never will forsake one whom he has redeemed and sanctified _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew חסדי2617 יהוה3068 אזכיר2142 תהלת8416 יהוה3068 כעל5921 כל3605 אשׁר834 גמלנו1580 יהוה3068 ורב7227 טוב2898 לבית1004 ישׂראל3478 אשׁר834 גמלם1580 כרחמיו7356 וכרב7230 חסדיו׃2617
