Isaiah 50:4-9 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

The Confidence of the Servant in Yahweh (the third Servant Song). Here, as in Isaiah 49:1-6, the Servant is the speaker. Yahweh has given me the eloquence of a disciple that I may know how to answer the godless with upright words. Every morning He imparts instruction to me as to a disciple, nor have insult and cruelty caused me to shrink from the tasks He has set me. Through His help I have not been overwhelmed; upon me, confident that I shall not finally be put to shame, these cruelties have made no more impression than though I had been flint. My vindication is near. Let any accuser come forward and we will submit our case to Him. He will help me who will pronounce me wrong? My adversaries shall perish like a moth-eaten garment.

Isaiah 50:4. The text is certainly corrupt. For sustain, a guess at an otherwise unknown word, read answer, and for with words him that is weary: he wakeneth: a not difficult emendation gives the godless with upright words.

Isaiah 50:7. will: render, doth.

Isaiah 50:8. justifieth: i.e. pronounces in the right, opposed to

Isaiah 50:9. condemn: i.e. pronounce in the wrong.

Isaiah 50:4-9

4 The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

5 The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.

6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

7 For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

8 He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.

9 Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.