Isaiah 61:10 - Exposition

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord (comp. Habakkuk 3:18 ). The promises made were such as naturally to call forth on the part of Israel the most heartfelt joy and rejoicing—including, as they did, restoration, rule over the Gentiles, a universal priesthood, a wide territory, "everlasting joy," a high renown, and an "everlasting covenant . He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation (comp. Isaiah 59:17 and Isaiah 61:3 ). The metaphor occurs also in the Psalms ( Psalms 71:6 ; Psalms 109:18 ). God clothes Israel with "righteousness" derived from himself ( Isaiah 54:17 , ad fin. ), and then with its natural consequence—"salvation." The result is to make Israel as a bridegroom who decketh himself with a priestly crown, and as a bride who adornoth herself with her jewels. That bridegrooms ordinarily wore crowns appears from the Mishna.