Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, [in whom] my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
Ver. 1. Behold my servant.] Cyrus partly, but Christ principally Mat 12:18 See Trapp on " Mat 12:18 " Php 2:7 A servant he was, yet not menial, but magisterial; that he was one or other is admirable, and well deserveth an Ecce Behold.
Whom I uphold.] That he faint not under the weight of his Mediatorship, and the importable burden of my wrath, which he must suffer for a season. Some render it "whom I lean upon." See 2 Kings 5:18; 2Ki 7:2; 2 Kings 7:13 .
Mine elect, or choice one.] Cyrus was so. Isa 43:10 John 6:27 ; John 6:29 ; Joh 10:36 See the notes on Matthew 12:18. Cyrus was so singular a man, saith Herodotus, a that no Persian ever held himself worthy to be compared unto him. And of his court Xenophon b hath this memorable saying, that though a man should seek or choose blindfold, he could not miss of a good man. How much more truly may this be spoken of the Lord Christ and his people?
In whom my soul delighteth.] ευδοκησε. God affected Cyrus, Isaiah 45:3,4 ; Isa 44:28 but nothing so well as Christ. Matthew 3:17 ; Mat 17:5 Once God repented him that he had made man; but now it is otherwise.
He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.] Who shall all cry, "Grace, grace unto it," to see mercy rejoicing against judgment. See on Matthew 12:18 .
a Herod., lib. iii.
b Xenoph. Cyrop., lib. viii.