Isaiah 61 WEB
Summary: The speaker (the Servant/prophetic figure) declares the Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon him, anointing him to preach good tidings to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to captives, and announce "the acceptable year of the LORD" and the day of vengeance, comforting mourners with beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, and praise for heaviness (v. 1-3) — words Jesus later reads in the synagogue at Nazareth in the New Testament. Those comforted are called "trees of righteousness," and they will rebuild ancient ruins, while strangers will feed their flocks and foreigners work their fields, freeing Israel to serve as priests and ministers of God, enjoying the wealth of nations and everlasting joy instead of former shame. The LORD affirms He loves justice and hates robbery through a burnt offering, promising to faithfully reward His people's work and make an everlasting covenant with them, their descendants known among the nations as blessed. The chapter closes with the speaker rejoicing greatly in the LORD, clothed with garments of salvation and robes of righteousness, like a bridegroom and bride adorned, and righteousness and praise springing forth before all nations.
1The Lord Yahweh’s Spirit is on me, because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to those who are bound,
2to proclaim the year of Yahweh’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
3to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Yahweh, that he may be glorified.
4They will rebuild the old ruins. They will raise up the former devastated places. They will repair the ruined cities that have been devastated for many generations.
5Strangers will stand and feed your flocks. Foreigners will work your fields and your vineyards.
6But you will be called Yahweh’s priests. Men will call you the servants of our God. You will eat the wealth of the nations. You will boast in their glory.
7Instead of your shame you will have double. Instead of dishonor, they will rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they will possess double. Everlasting joy will be to them.
8“For I, Yahweh, love justice. I hate robbery and iniquity. I will give them their reward in truth and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9Their offspring will be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge them, that they are the offspring which Yahweh has blessed.”
10I will greatly rejoice in Yahweh! My soul will be joyful in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11For as the earth produces its bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring up, so the Lord Yahweh will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
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