Isaiah 52
Isaiah 52 is part of “The Servant and Redemption” (49–55) in the outline of Isaiah.
Isaiah 52 summary
The greater part of this chapter is on the same subject with the chapter before, concerning the deliverance of the Jews out of Babylon, which yet is applicable to the great salvation Christ has wrought out for us; but the last three verses are on the same subject with the following chapter, concerning the person of the Redeemer, his humiliation and exaltation. Observe, I. The encouragement that is given to the Jews in captivity to hope that God would deliver them in his own way and time (Isa 52:1-6). II.
Read the full introduction
The greater part of this chapter is on the same subject with the chapter before, concerning the deliverance of the Jews out of Babylon, which yet is applicable to the great salvation Christ has wrought out for us; but the last three verses are on the same subject with the following chapter, concerning the person of the Redeemer, his humiliation and exaltation. Observe, I. The encouragement that is given to the Jews in captivity to hope that God would deliver them in his own way and time (Isa 52:1-6). II. The great joy and rejoicing that shall be both with ministers and people upon that occasion (Isa 52:7-10). III. The call given to those that remained in captivity to shift for their own enlargement when liberty was proclaimed (Isa 52:11, Isa 52:12). IV. A short idea given here of the Messiah, which is enlarged upon in the next chapter (Isa 52:13-15).
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Key verses in Isaiah 52
Isaiah 52 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Deliverance for Jerusalem
1Aries, arise: put on thy strength, O Zion: put on thy garments of thy beautie, O Ierusalem, the holy citie: for hencefoorth there shall no more come into thee the vncircumcised and the vncleane. 2Shake thy selfe from the dust: arise, and sit downe, O Ierusalem: loose the bandes of thy necke, O thou captiue daughter, Zion. 3For thus sayeth the Lord, Yee were solde for naught: therefore shall ye be redeemed without money. 4For thus saith the Lord God, My people went downe afore time into Egypt to soiourne there, and Asshur oppressed them without cause. 5Nowe therefore what haue I here, saith the Lord, that my people is taken away for naught, and they that rule ouer them, make them to howle, saith the Lord? and my Name all the day continually is blasphemed? 6Therefore my people shall know my Name: therefore they shall know in that day, that I am he that doe speake: beholde, it is I. 7How beautifull vpon the mountaines are the feete of him, that declareth and publisheth peace? that declareth good tidings, and publisheth saluation, saying vnto Zion, Thy God reigneth? 8The voyce of thy watchmen shalbe heard: they shall lift vp their voyce, and shoute together: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring againe Zion. 9O ye desolate places of Ierusalem, bee glad and reioyce together: for the Lord hath comforted his people: he hath redeemed Ierusalem. 10The Lord hath made bare his holy arme in the sight of all the Gentiles, and all the endes of the earth shall see the saluation of our God. 11Depart, depart ye: goe out from thence and touche no vncleane thing: goe out of the middes of her: be ye cleane, that beare the vessels of the Lord. 12For ye shall not goe out with haste, nor depart by fleeing away: but the Lord will goe before you, and the God of Israel will gather you together.
The Suffering Servant
13Beholde, my seruant shall prosper: he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very hie. 14As many were astonied at thee (his visage was so deformed of men, and his forme of the sonnes of men) so shall hee sprinkle many nations: the Kings shall shut their mouthes at him: for that which had not bene tolde them, shall they see, and that which they had not heard, shall they vnderstande.