Isaiah 54:6

Although Zion is temporarily estranged from Jehovah, she is yet a "wife of youth" holding a permanent place in her husband's affections.

For the Lord hath called thee i.e. "calls thee" now (Cheyne, "hath recalled thee"). The reference is not to the first espousals of the nation at the exodus, but to the renewal of conjugal intercourse in the restoration from exile.

as a wife (R.V.) forsaken and grieved in spirit neglected by her husband, and left to her own bitter reflexions, but not cast off. Cf. Hosea 3:3.

and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused R.V. "even a wife of youth, when she is cast off." The clause is difficult. Probably it is an exclamation: and a wife of youth can she be rejected? (so Cheyne, after Ewald); it is impossible that she should be finally disowned.

a wife of youth one who has been wooed and won in youth; Proverbs 5:18; Malachi 2:14 f.