Isaiah 51:14-16

14-16. The captive exile One bowed down under the burden of captivity, which may be general, but more likely is here local, the captivity in Babylon.

Hasteneth… loosed Set free. He is weary of the situation, Babylon is to him the pit, a prison. Possibly some were in a literal “pit,” the dungeon, its floor filled with spikes to pierce the “captive” when let into it. (See Barnes, in loco, quoting Paxton.) The exile longs not to die in the pit or of starvation. The promise affirms that of neither shall he die. The command is, Believe this believe it on the ground of God’s almightiness.

That divided the sea The Red Sea. He led Israel through on dry ground.

The Lord of hosts Leader of the armies of heaven the angels of heaven.

I have put my words in thy mouth Jehovah committed to Israel his servant, (or to his servant springing out of Israel,) his “law and judgment,” or the eternal principles of the true religion. See Isaiah 49:2, where it is said, He hath made his mouth a sharp sword, recalling Hebrews 4:12. For thoroughly preaching the cutting truths of God’s religion the wrath of man is aroused. But against this he says, I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand. He protects his truth by shielding Zion from harm, in order to plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth. That is, forming the moral heavens, etc., and giving to Zion the greatest spiritual scope and rule over the hearts of men.