That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
That saith of Cyrus, (He is) my shepherd - type of Messiah (Isaiah 40:11; Psalms 23:1; Psalms 77:20; Ezekiel 34:23).
And shall perform all my pleasure - so Messiah (Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 53:10). This is the first time Cyrus is named expressly; and that 150 years before the time when, in 550 BC, he began his reign. The name comes from the Persian Khorschid, Kohr: Sanskrit, sura, 'the sun;' kings often taking their names from the gods; the sun was worshipped as a god in Persia.
Even saying to lª- Jerusalem - rather, 'and that saith;' construed with God, not with Cyrus. God's word is instantaneously efficient in accomplishing His will. Cyrus, according to Josephus, heard of this prophecy of Isaiah delivered so long before; hence, he was induced to do that which was so contrary to Oriental policy, to aid in restoring the captive Jews and rebuilding their temple and city. West-coat (Smith's 'Dictionary of the Bible') remarks, The fall of Sardis and Babylon before Cyrus marked the starting-point of European life. It is a singular coincidence that the beginning of Grecian art, and that of the Roman Constitution, synchronize with the triumph of the Arian race in the East. The permanent effects of Persian influence on the world is best seen through the Jewish race. Cyrus represents the East, Alexander the West. Cyrus led to the development of the idea of order, Alexander to that of independence. The first crisis was signalized by the consolidation of the Church: the second by the distinction of sects. The one was embodied in 'the great synagogue,' the other in the dynasty of the Asmoneans. The dispersion prepared for a spiritual dispensation by showing the people of God that their local absence from the Holy Land did not prevent their union in a spiritual bond, of which Jerusalem was the center.
Remarks: God's choice of His people is repeatedly made the ground of their encouragement (Isaiah 44:1-2). God cannot deny Himself; and therefore, though the reprobates shall be justly cast away, He will "help" His servants out of all present trials, and will prepare them for all 'blessings' by pouring the "water" of His "Spirit" in "floods" upon His 'thirsty seed and offspring.' 'They who thirst after righteousness shall be filled.' They shall be "trees of righteousness" planted "by the water-courses" of grace. Though there be various stages in spiritual growth, one being weak as "Jacob" when he was a "Syrian ready to perish;" another strong as the same patriarch when he was called "Israel" as "having power with God and with men," yet all alike who belong to the true Israel can say "I am the Lord's." The literal Israel, "the ancient people" of God, shall at last say so. "The King of Israel" hath 'called' that it may be done, hath "set it in order," appointing the successive stages and times in its being brought to pass, and hath 'declared' that it shall be so; and all this 'for Himself,' that the redeemed Israelites may be to all ages 'His witnesses' that there is 'no God besides' Him.