Isaiah 49:7

Israel shall be raised from the deepest degradation to the highest honour. The verse is remarkable as anticipating the main idea of ch. Isa 52:13 53:15.

to him whom man despiseth Lit. to the despised of soul; i.e. "to one who is heartily despised," the "soul" being the seat of emotion. Comp. Psalms 17:9 ("my deadly enemies," = "they that hate me in the soul,"). In the parallel phrase to the abhorred of people, "people" seems to be used of men in general (the German Leute) as in Genesis 20:4 ("righteous folk"). The words for "despised" and "abhorred" are both peculiar in form.

a servant of rulers of tyrants (ch. Isaiah 14:5).

kings shall see(the exaltation of Israel) and arise in amazement and reverence (cf. ch. Isaiah 52:15). princes also shall worship princes (sc. shall arise) and do homage (see R.V.).

and he shall choose thee Better, as R.V. who hath chosen thee (strictly, "and he hath chosen thee"; see Driver's Tenses, § 76 a).