Isaiah 52:8 - Exposition

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 sympathize with their weal and woe (see Daniel 4:13 , Daniel 4:17 , Daniel 4:23 , etc.). These "watchers" now "sing" or "shout" with joy. They shall see eye to eye (compare the "face to face" of Numbers 14:14 ; Deuteronomy 34:10 ). The "watchers" would watch closely God's dealings with his Church, and would see them as clearly as a man sees his friend when he leeks into his face. When the Lord shall bring again Zion. It is, perhaps, best to translate, with Houbigant and Mr. Cheyne, "When the Lord shall return to Zion." The prophet sees God as the Leader of his people, not merely by his providence bringing them back, but "returning" at their head (camp. Isaiah 52:12 ).