To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Ver. 3. To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion.] a Here is showed how it is that Christ comforteth his people, sc., by clearing up their consciences from the stain and sting of sin, and by healing their natures, causing them to grow in grace as trees of righteousness, well rooted and well fruited.
To appoint unto them,] sc., Comfort. as Isa 61:2
To give unto them beauty for ashes.] b Cidarim pro cinere, lusum pro luctu, risum pro rictu, &c., to turn all their sighing into singing, all their musing into music, all their sadness into gladness, all their tears into triumphs. But then those that would rejoice with "joy unspeakable," must stir up sighs that are unutterable, for even Christ himself favos post fella gustavit, tasted first of the sour, and then of the sweet.
That they may be culled.] Have the comfort and the credit of growing Christians, full of goodness, and filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another, as were those Romans, Rom 15:14 to their eternal commendation. See John 15:5,8 Philippians 1:11 .
That he might be glorified.] As indeed he is by one gracious action performed by a fruitful Christian, more than by all his works of creation and providence.
a Apud Hebraeos ornatus est in verbis. among the Hebrews, it was furnished in the words, נקם and נחם. (Original had final ן not נ for second Hebrew word. Editor.)
b פאר for אפר .