Isaiah 62:1 - Exposition

For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace . In the past God has kept silence ( Isaiah 42:14 ; Isaiah 57:11 ). "The Servant" has not caused his voice to be heard. Babylon has been allowed to continue her oppression unchecked. But now there will be a change. God will lift up his voice, and the nations will hear; and the "salvation" of Israel will be effected speedily. For Jerusalem's sake. "Zion" and "Jerusalem" are used throughout as synonyms ( Isaiah 2:3 ; Isaiah 4:3 , Isaiah 4:4 ; Isaiah 31:4 , Isaiah 31:5 , and Isaiah 31:9 ; Isaiah 33:20 ; Isaiah 40:9 ; Isaiah 41:27 ; Isaiah 52:1 ; Isaiah 64:10 , etc.), like "Israel" and Jacob." Strictly speaking, "Zion" is the mountain, "Jerusalem" the city built upon it. Until the righteousness thereof go forth (comp. Isaiah 54:17 ; Isaiah 61:10 , Isaiah 61:11 ). As brightness; or, as the dawn (comp Isaiah 60:3 ; Proverbs 4:18 ; Daniel 6:19 ). Salvation … as a lamp that burneth ; rather, as a torch that blazeth (comp. 15:4 ; Nahum 2:1-13 :14; Zechariah 12:6 ). Israel's "salvation'' would be made manifest; primarily by her triumphant return from Babylon, and more completely by her position in the final kingdom of the Redeemer.