His anointed — His king, whom God has designed, and separated, and fitted, in all respects, for this work. Loose — I will take away their girdle, which was about their loins; their power and authority, whereof that was an ensign. Gates — The great and magnificent gates of their cities and palaces, w... [ Continue Reading ]
Go — To remove all obstructions, to destroy all them that oppose thee, and carry thee through the greatest difficulties.... [ Continue Reading ]
The treasures — Such as have been long kept in dark and secret places.... [ Continue Reading ]
I have — I knew, and called thee by thy name, when thou didst neither know nor think of me; nay, when thou hadst no being.... [ Continue Reading ]
I girded — I made thee strong and active, and disposed thee for these great and warlike enterprizes.... [ Continue Reading ]
That — That all nations may know it by my foretelling these things so long before, and by the wonderful success that I shall give thee, and by my over — ruling thine heart and counsels, to the deliverance of my people.... [ Continue Reading ]
Light — All mens comforts and calamities come from thy hand.... [ Continue Reading ]
Drop — The righteous and gracious acts of God for his people, shall be so many, as if God rained showers of righteousness out of heaven. Open — Open itself to bring forth those fruits which may be expected from such showers. Them — The heavens and the earth conspiring together. Together — Together w... [ Continue Reading ]
Woe — As God here makes many glorious promises to Cyrus, so he pronounces a curse upon them, who should endeavour to hinder him. Contend — Contend, if you please, with your fellow creatures, but not with your creator. Or — He turns his speech to the potter.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus saith — Will you not allow me that liberty which yourselves take, of disposing of my own children and works, as I see fit?... [ Continue Reading ]
Him — Cyrus. In righteousness — Most justly, to punish the wicked Babylonians, to plead the cause of the oppressed ones, to manifest my righteousness, and truth, and goodness.... [ Continue Reading ]
The labour — The wealth gotten by their labour. Thee — Jerusalem shall not only be rebuilt, but the wealth and glory of other countries shall be brought to it again. This was in part verified in Jerusalem; but it was much more fully accomplished in the church of the gospel, in the accession of the G... [ Continue Reading ]
Verily — These are the words of the prophet, on contemplation of the various dispensations of God towards his church, and in the world. Hidest — Thy counsels are deep and incomprehensible, thy ways are past finding out.... [ Continue Reading ]
In secret — The Heathen idols deliver oracles in obscure cells and caverns: but I have delivered my oracles to Israel publickly and plainly. In vain — Serve and worship me for nought. As I appointed them work, so from time to time I have given them abundant recompence. Right — I require nothing of m... [ Continue Reading ]
Draw near — To hear what I have said, and am now about to say. Of the nations — The remnant of the Gentiles, who survive the many destructions, which I am bringing upon the Heathen nations.... [ Continue Reading ]
Take counsel — To maintain the cause of their idols. This — This great work, Babylon's destruction, and the redemption of God's people.... [ Continue Reading ]
In righteousness — It is what I will faithfully perform. Return — Without effect. It is a metaphor from ambassadors, who sometimes return to their princes without any success in their business. Every tongue — Not only the Jews, but all nations.... [ Continue Reading ]
In the Lord — By or from God alone, or the Messiah, who is the true Jehovah as well as man. Righteousness — To justify me from all things which I could not be justified by the law of Moses. Strength — Support and assistance to bear all my burdens, overcome all my enemies, and perform all my duties.... [ Continue Reading ]
All — All Israelites indeed, whether Jews or Gentiles.... [ Continue Reading ]