Isaiah 52:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 52:7-12

The removal of the Jews from Babylon to their own land again is here spoken of both as a mercy and as a duty; and the application of Isa. 52:7 to the preaching of the gospel (by the apostle, Rom. 10:15) plainly intimates that that deliverance was a type and figure of the redemption of mankind by Jesus Christ, to which what is here said of their redemption out of Babylon ought to be accommodated. I. It is here spoken of as a great blessing, which ought to be welcomed with abundance of joy and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 52:8

The watchmen shall lift up the voice ,.... Not the Levites in the temple, nor the prophets of the Old Testament; rather the evangelists and apostles of Christ; best of all Gospel ministers in the latter day, so called in allusion to watch men on the walls of cities looking out, and giving notice of approaching danger; see Isaiah 62:6 . The words may be rendered, "the voice of the watchmen; they shall lift up the voice; together shall they sing"; that is, this is the voice of the watchmen,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 52:8

Thy watchmen lift up the voice "All thy watchmen lift up their voice" - There is a difficulty in the construction of this place which, I think, none of the ancient versions or modern interpreters have cleared up satisfactorily. Rendered word for word it stands thus: "The voice of thy watchmen: they lift up their voice." The sense of the first member, considered as elliptical, is variously supplied by various expositors; by none, as it seems to me, in any way that is easy and natural. I am... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 52:1-12

The redemption of Jerusalem. I. THE SUMMONS . It comes from the Divine representatives. She had been called upon to arise and to stand up, and now she is to put on her strength and her robes. "Strength returns to Zion when the arm of Jehovah is mighty within her." It is useless to counterfeit the semblance of strength which does not exist. Nor is strength merely a matter of the will; but there ever is a secret fund of strength in the hearts of those who know that God has not forsaken... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 52:2-9

The liberty of the Church. "Loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion." I. THE RIGHT OF THE CHURCH TO LIBERTY . The sight of the daughter of Zion in chains was very pitiable in the prophet's eye. How much more grievous the spectacle of a Christian Church in bondage, enslaved and oppressed! The Christian Church, being composed of those who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, and being called into existence for the purpose of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 52:7-12

A VISION OF THE DAY OF DELIVERANCE . The prophet sees the messenger come bounding over the mountains of Judaea, to bring the news to Jerusalem that her deliverance is come ( Isaiah 52:7 ). The angelic watchers sing with joy ( Isaiah 52:8 ). The prophet calls upon the waste places of Jerusalem to do the same, and dwells on the greatness of the mercy wrought ( Isaiah 52:9 , Isaiah 52:10 ). Finally, he exhorts the exiles to avail themselves of the permission to quit Babylon,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 52:8

Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice ; literally, The voice of thy watchers. They have lifted up the voice; they sing (or, shout joyfully , Kay) together. The "watchmen" are regarded by some as the prophets of the Captivity-time (Delitzsch), by others—as the faithful who "waited for the redemption of Israel" (Kay); but are considered by the best critics (Cheyne, Alexander) to be "supersensible beings," or, in other words, angels, who "watch" over the fortunes of Israel, and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 52:8

Thy watchmen - This language is taken from the custom of placing watchmen on the walls of a city, or on elevated towers, who could see if an enemy approached, and who of course would be the first to discern a messenger at a distance who was coming to announce good news. The idea is, that there would be as great joy at the announcement of the return of the exiles, as if they who were stationed on the wall should see the long-expected herald on the distant hills, coming to announce that they were... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 52:8

Isaiah 52:8. Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice Partly to give notice to all people of these glad tidings, and partly by way of exultation, to sing forth the praises of God for this glorious season and exercise of mercy. If we consider this passage as referring to the deliverance from Babylon, by the watch-men here, we must understand those prophets who prophesied at or after the time of that deliverance, such as Haggai and Zechariah: but if the good tidings be interpreted of the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 52:1-12

Joy in Jerusalem (52:1-12)In view of these promises, the prophet urges the captive Jews to prepare for the return to Jerusalem. The city that heathen armies defiled and destroyed will be rebuilt, to become strong, holy and beautiful again (52:1-2).God will redeem his people from slavery, but he will not pay the slave-owner (Babylon) any ransom (3). In earlier days the Israelites were made slaves in Egypt, even though they went there in peace. They then established themselves in Canaan, but... read more

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