Isaiah 41:17-20 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

When the poor and needy seek water, &c. When my poor people are come to the greatest extremity of danger and misery, then will I appear for their relief. I will open rivers in high places Upon the hills and mountains, where, by the course of nature, there are no rivers; and fountains in the midst of valleys Or, in the valleys, namely, in such of them as are not well watered. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, &c. Those people who are like a dry and barren wilderness, I will abundantly water with my blessings, and make them fruitful: which may be understood either of the Jews, who were in a wilderness condition, till God brought them out of it; or of the Gentiles converted to the true religion under the gospel. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the myrtle, &c. Trees which are both useful and pleasant to the eye, and affording a good shadow to the traveller. But what particular trees the Hebrew words here used signify is not certainly known. That they may see Or, that men may see: that all that see this wonderful change may consider it, and acknowledge that the hand of the Lord hath done this That it is the work of God. “The many wonderful steps by which the restoration of the Jewish nation shall be brought about, will convince all considering persons that it is the work of God; and his power will still more undeniably discover itself in the propagation of the gospel, and the enlightening of those who sit in darkness with the saving truth of it.” Lowth.