The Mission of Yahweh's Servant (the first of the four so-called Servant Songs; see Introd.). Yahweh bids the nations consider His Servant Israel, whom He sustains and loves. He has equipped him like the prophets with His spirit, so that he may publish the true religion to the nations. The frenzy, however, which often accompanied the utterance of prophecy in the public ways shall not characterise him; he shall be gentle, not crushing the damaged reed, or quenching the feebly-burning wick. Faithfully shall he publish the true religion. He shall not be crushed or grow feeble until he shall have established the true religion universally, and all lands look to him for direction.
Isaiah 42:1. judgement here and in Isaiah 42:3 f. means the whole collection of Yahweh's ordinances and decisions possessed by Israel, i.e., in effect, the true religion.
Isaiah 42:2. lift up: i.e. his voice.
Isaiah 42:4. fail, discouraged: render as mg. Probably till is to be supplied in thought before the isles.