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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 42:13-17

It comes all to one whether we make these verses (as some do) the song itself that is to be sung by the Gentile world or a prophecy of what God will do to make way for the singing of that song, that evangelical new song. I. He will appear in his power and glory more than ever. So he did in the preaching of his gospel, in the divine power and energy which went along with it, and in the wonderful success it had in the pulling down of Satan's stronghold, Isa. 42:13, 14. He had long held his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 42:16

And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not ,.... The Targum interprets this of the people of Israel, thus, "I will lead the house of Israel, which are like to the blind, in a way which they knew not.' But it is better to understand it of the Gentiles, who, before the light of the Gospel came among them, were blind as to the true knowledge of God, and especially as in Christ; and of Christ, and the way of peace, life, and salvation by him; and of themselves, and their... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 42:16

In paths - The Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate, and nine MSS., (two ancient), read ובנתיבות ubenotiboth . Will I do unto them - עשיתם asitem . This word, so written as it is in the text, means "thou wilt do, "in the second person. The Masoretes have indeed pointed it for the first person; but the י yod in the last syllable is absolutely necessary to distinguish the first person; and so it is written in forty MSS., עשיתים asithim . Jarchi, Kimchi, Sal. ben Melec, etc., agree... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:10-25

A new song to Jehovah. Caught up in his ecstasy to a high place of vision, the prophet sees all the nations of mankind deriving blessing from the ministry of Israel, and calls upon them to join in a song of praise. God's goodness in providing a Redeemer demands the thanksgiving of all the world. I. THE SONG AND THE SINGERS . The new song is named in the Psalter ( Psalms 96:1 ; Psalms 98:1 ), meaning a song inspired by the sense of new mercies. All parts of the earth are to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:16

I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not . "The blind" here can only be captive Israel, still dim-sighted from the effect of its old sins against light, and therefore greatly needing God's guidance. God promises to "bring them" out of captivity "by a way not hitherto known to them"—the way of voluntary release by the favour of a new king (see the comment on Isaiah 42:9 ). I will make darkness light before them ; either, I will illuminate with rays of light and hope the dark... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:16

Light and right. "I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight." These words are prophecy and history also; for Christ has fulfilled these words. I. DANKNESS ILLUMINED . There was: 1 . Darkness over the face of God . 2 . Darkness over the destiny of man . But Christ has revealed the Divine fatherhood, and brought life and immortality to light. II. WRONG RIGHTENED . Crooked or warped things have been twisted or "wrung"—from which our word... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:16

The unrecognized path "I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known." The general truth here is that the all-wise God is working on our behalf in ways which are mysterious at the time. If we consider our finiteness and his infinity, our ignorance and his omniscience, we shall see that this must be so. If we consider how little we can understand of the great designs of the wisest of mankind when we have but a partial view of them, we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:16

The surprising Life-Guide. "I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not." Only the figure is taken from the gracious Divine arrangements made for the return of the captives from Babylon. That is indeed prominent in the prophet's mind, but only as illustrative of God's constant dealings as the Life-Guide of his people. Let us, in any vivid and impressive way, see God's working and providing in any one instance, and we learn what he really is, and what he really does, in all... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 42:16

And I will lead the blind - Having said in the previous verses what he would do to his enemies, God now speaks of his people. He would conduct them to their own land, as a blind people that needed a guide, and would remove whatever obstacle there was in their way. By the ‘blind’ here, he refers doubtless to his own people. The term is applied originally to his people in captivity, as being ignorant, after their seventy years’ exile, of the way of return to their own land. It is possible that it... read more

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