The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:9-17
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE COMING DELIVERANCE OF ISRAEL FROM BABYLON , AND CALL ON THE NATIONS FOR A SONG OF PRAISE AND JUBILATION . Jehovah is still the speaker. He begins by promising a new revelation ( Isaiah 42:9 ). Then, before the revelation is made, he calls upon the nations—especially those in the vicinity of Palestine—to rejoice at what is about to happen ( Isaiah 42:10-12 ). After this he proceeds to make the announcement promised in Isaiah 42:9 ... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:9
Behold, the former things are come to pass ; i.e. former prophecies have been fulfilled. Israel has been led lute captivity, and in her captivity has suffered grievous things. The reference is, perhaps, especially to such prophecies as Isaiah 39:5-7 . And new things do I declare (comp. Isaiah 43:19 ). The voluntary restoration of a captive people to their own land by the power to which they were subject, and which could compel their services, was emphatically a "new thing" in the... read more