Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 51:11
Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy [shall be] upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; [and] sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
11. For Therefore render as R.V. And. The verse is almost verbally identical with Isa 35:10, which is clearly its original setting. Here its connexion with what precedes is somewhat loose, and since ch. 35 is of more recent date than this prophecy, the verse must have been transferred by a copyist.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Therefore the redeemed of the Lord – This is probably the language of Yahweh assuring them, in answer to their prayer, that his ransomed people should again return to Zion.
And everlasting joy shall be upon their head – This entire verse occurs also in Isa 35:10. See it explained in the note on that verse. The custom of singing alluded to here on a journey is now very common in the East. It is practiced to relieve the tediousness of a journey over extended plains, as well as to induce the camels in a caravan to move with greater rapidity. The idea here is, that the caravan that should return from Babylon to Jerusalem, across the extended plains, should make the journey amidst general exultation and joy – cheered on their way by songs, and relieving the tedium of their journey by notes of gladness and of praise.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Isa 51:11
Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return
Great deliverances
The return of the light of morning after the darkness of the night; of a fine summer after a cold and cheerless winter; of health and strength after a season of sickness and pain, is refreshing and delightful, and demands the gratitude of the heart.
The deliverance of a nation from temporal slavery or subjection has often kindled a fire in the breast of the patriot, the painter, the poet and the historian; but what are all earthly blessings when compared with those which are spiritual and eternal? (New Irish Pulpit.)
The present and future joy of the redeemed of the Lord
There is the greatest harmony throughout the whole Bible, and its glowing descriptions of future events have always some relation to the spiritualizing effects of the Gospel of Christ.
1. Who can with such propriety be called the redeemed of the Lord, as they whom He has delivered from the power as well as penalty of sin?
2. Who again can with such propriety be ca]led the redeemed of the Lord, as they whom He ransoms from that all-conquering foe, who puts all things under his feet?
3. But must the soul lie insensible with the body until this general redemption? Must ages pass before the redeemed of the Lord enjoy a foretaste of their redemption? No! To-day shalt thou be with Me in paradise.
4. But are there not some considerations, to be taken by us into account on this subject? Is there not some blessing–a blessing beyond all other blessings, which makes these a matter of everlasting joy to the redeemed of the Lord? In bringing many sons to glory Jesus has been made perfect through sufferings; He has made reconciliation for sin. (W. M. Harte.)
The joy of the ransomed
No New Testament utterance could be more beautiful than this picturing of the return of the redeemed of the Lord to Zion.
1. It points, at the outset, to the grounds of their confidence and joy. They are ransomed travellers: they have found the righteousness and the salvation spoken of at the commencement of the chapter. They go, on their pilgrim way exulting in Him whose arm hath wounded the dragon–the Man of Gods right hand, who in His cross and passion hathdestroyed him that had the power of death, that is the devil, and delivered them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. They are more than conquerors through Him that loved them.
2. They are further here truthfully represented, even in the course of their journey through the wilderness, as filled with peace and joy in believing, abounding in hope. The Christian is a joyful man. Though it be a wilderness he treads, and though sorrow and mourning are also depicted as tracking his footsteps, yet he has elements of tranquil happiness within him which make the song, not the tear, the appropriate exponent of his thoughts and emotions. It were strange, indeed, were it otherwise. At peace with God; sin forgiven; the heart changed; the affections elevated; grace moulding, sustaining, quickening, sanctifying; and, rising above all, the assured hope of glory hereafter.
3. The words, too, seem to tell of an ever-augmenting joy. As the portals of glory draw nearer, the song,, deepens in melody and strength. They come to. Zion with singing; then everlasting joy is on their head. Then, they obtain a new anointing of gladness; and finally sorrow and mourning–these two companions of the wilderness-rise on their sombre, gloomy wings, and speed away for ever! (J. R. Macduff, D. D.)
Journey and song
I. A REDEEMED PEOPLE.
II. THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD AS TRAVELLERS.
III. THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD AS SINGERS. (J. M. Blackie, LL.B.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 11. They shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.] Nineteen MSS. and the two oldest editions have yasigu; and forty-six MSS. of Kennicott’s and ten of De Rossi’s, and the same two editions, and agreeably to them the Chaldee and Syriac, have venasu; and so both words are expressed, Isa 35:10, of which place this is a repetition. And from comparing both together it appears that the vau in this place is become by mistake in the present text final, nun of the preceding word.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Therefore; or, So; Heb. And. This verse contains an answer to the prophets prayer. It is true, I did these great things, and I will do the like again.
Everlasting joy shall be upon their head, like a crown of glory. But for the accomplishment of this magnificent promise we must needs look beyond their return from Babylon into their own land, when they met with many discouragements, and troubles, and calamities, and extend it unto the coming of Christ, by whom these great things were procured and actually conferred upon his people.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
11. (Isa35:10).
Thereforeassurance offaith; or else the answer of Jehovah corresponding to their prayer.As surely as God redeemed Israel out of Egypt, He shall redeem themfrom Babylon, both the literal in the age following, and mystical inthe last ages (Rev 18:20;Rev 18:21). There shall be asecond exodus (Isa 11:11-16;Isa 27:12; Isa 27:13).
singingimage from thecustom of singing on a journey when a caravan is passing along theextended plains in the East.
everlasting joy (Jude24).
sorrow . . . flee away(Re 21:4).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return,…. Or “and”, or “so” q. In like manner, and as sure as the Israelites had a way made for them through the sea to pass over, so sure shall all those that are redeemed by the blood of Christ from sin, Satan, the law, death, and hell, be gathered out of the nations of the world, and from the antichristian states, and shall be converted and turn to the Lord. Or these words are a continuation of the above prayer, as Jarchi, “let them return”; or rather are an answer to it, and a promise that they should:
and come with singing unto Zion; to the Gospel church, and join themselves to it, praising God for his grace in calling and converting them, adoring the riches of his distinguishing love, and singing the new song of redeeming grace; and hereafter they shall return from the grave, and come to Zion above, singing the song of Moses and of the Lamb:
and everlasting joy shall be upon their head; visible in the present state, more so hereafter, when there will be upon them an eternal weight of glory, a crown of life and righteousness:
they shall obtain joy and gladness; by having the presence of God, communion with him, views of interest in Christ, and the gracious influences of the blessed Spirit; all these they enjoy in the church now, but in full perfection hereafter:
and sorrow and mourning shall flee away: either for sin, having the discoveries and application of forgiving love; or on account of desertion, now enjoying the light of God’s countenance; or by reason of persecution, which in the latter day glory will entirely cease. But all this will be most fully accomplished in the New Jerusalem church state, and ultimate glory, Re 21:4.
[See comments on Isa 35:10].
q “et nunc”, V. L. “ita”, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. And Ben Melech observes, that “and”, is in the room of , “thus”.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
11 Therefore the redeemed by Jehovah shall return. He now describes more plainly what he had briefly remarked; for, after having related the magnificent works of God, by which he formerly displayed his power in Egypt, in order to deliver his people, he concludes that neither the sea, nor the lofty rocks, nor the whirlpools, nor even hell itself, can prevent him from leading forth his people out of Babylon. And in order to confirm it more fully, and to apply that example, he calls them “redeemed,” that they may know that, when God calls himself the deliverer of his people, this belongs to them, and that they may not doubt that, in delivering them, he will produce such an example as had been already exhibited; for the reason is the same.
Shall come to Zion. Namely, to that place where he wished that men should call on his name, that the temple may be rebuilt and the pure worship of God restored; for, since the Jews, during the Babylonish captivity, ought to expect the same aid as had been obtained by their fathers, because God was in like manner the Redeemer of the children also, they were superior to the fathers in one respect, that God had at that time chosen Mount Zion, in which he had promised that his rest would be eternal. (Psa 132:14.) But since the work of God, which Isaiah promises, was worthy of admiration, on this account, he exhorts the people to praise and thanksgiving.
With a song. רנה (rinnah) may indeed be taken simply for “rejoicing;” but, as it frequently denotes the praise which is rendered to God when we acknowledge his benefits, I prefer to take it in that sense in this passage. (27) The meaning is, that there will be a great and unexpected change, so that they shall have very abundant ground of joy and thanksgiving. When he says that joy shall be on their head, he alludes to the chaplets of flowers with which they were wont to adorn themselves at banquets. He adds that “they shall obtain joy,” which denotes that their enjoyment shall be solid and lasting. Lastly, for the purpose of amplification, he adds that all sorrow shall be banished, that they may not dread what frequently happens, that joy, by a sudden change, shall give place to mourning. (Pro 14:13.) Yet the Prophet instructs them, though they groan and are sorrowful, to wait patiently for that issue which he promises.
(27) “ J’aime mieux le prendre pour cantique en cest endroit-ci.” “I prefer to take it for a song in this passage.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
THE GLAD HOME-GOING
Isa. 51:11. Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, &c. [1569]
[1569] See Outlines on Isa. 35:8-10, in vol. i. pp. 409413.
The words of the text, fulfilled in the history of the return from captivity, are in our case awaiting the richer, fuller interpretation of death.
I. THOSE WHO ARE DESTINED TO THIS GLORIOUS HOME-GOING. The redeemed of the Lord.
The expression is one which grows out of the Levitical law, and means one set free by the payment of a price. The precise signification of the word is that of substitution. A man redeemed his first-born by substituting an animal for him. The first-born were also freed by the substitution of a special offering of equal value, made for all classes. The sons of Levi rendered substituted service for all the tribes. These were types and shadows of another Substitute, who, bearing the sins of many, guiltless but treated as guilty, should deliver from the curse and power of sin.
The deliverance of humanity from wilfulness and its woes was costly to Almighty love. This law of substitution, and painful substitution, runs through all human history. You find it everywhere (H. E. I. 393395.) We must live for others and die for others. God has placed Himself under the same law. He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. By crucifixion of His own love; by self-sacrifice; by pain, and pang, and death, He breaks the bonds of moral slavery, condemns sin in the flesh, works a hatred of it which insures its extermination. What law could not do, God, sending His own Son in the flesh, did. The ransom was Himself. The redeemed compose the Church of God, which He has purchased with His own blood. Men who by faith have appropriated and rest upon this great wonder of suffering love, are placed in a new condition by means of it. The Redeemer is a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. The old Church was redeemed through Him. Nations unborn are included in the gracious purpose. The children, called to His embrace, share the benefit of His loving substitution, are numbered among the redeemed. Our loved ones who have tasted death, swell the gathering crowd of immortals redeemed. Bought with a price, faithful unto death, they escaped its sting and destructive energy, and are now triumphant, rejoicing spirits,the redeemed of the Lord.
II. THEIR DESTINATION. They shall return and come to Zion.
After the woes and privations of the Captivity, a prosperous Church state was to be restored. Zion was the place of Divine, manifested grace. God recorded His name there. The Shekinah cloud rested there. There He met the people, and conferred the boons of His salvation.
The earthly Zion was a type of the heavenly. Two ideas are here suggestednearness to God and holy association.
1. The redeemed on high are brought into nearer fellowship with God. There are easily conceivable visible manifestations of glory far beyond what are now possible. Emancipated from dependence upon sense, there will be a vast increase of spiritual capacity, and a corresponding enlargement of the means and opportunities of knowledge. Their acquaintance with the purposes and character of God, their feeling of His love, and grace, and tenderness, will be immeasurably greater and more intense than any known on earth. There is an infinite variety of Divine manifestations throughout the universe. There can be no dull uniformity in that higher life. No veil hides the eternal brightness. The beatific vision is face to face. The communications of the Divine mind are constant and familiar; the tokens of Divine grace are never withdrawn; the pledges of Divine fidelity are received and enjoyed without restriction. God is manifested in His highest glory, and humanity reaches its highest exaltation. Now in partthen, as also we are known.
2. The coming to Zion is expressive of personal association and fellowship. The return from the Captivity was that of a multitude. The words recall the joyous going up and assembling of the tribes to observe the solemn rites of their religion, and to enjoy social intercourse with each other. The heavenly state knows no loneliness. Every spirit forms one of a blissful company. Heaven is a social state. Lost loves are found, and broken relations are united, and interrupted fellowships are resumed. The mutual recognition of the faithful departed is one of the beliefs which nature suggests, and revelation implies and authenticates (P. D. 29262928). It does not so much rest upon single texts, as it is the keynote of the melody, and the uniting principle of the harmony of many. Every description implies itevery pictured scene discloses it. Love abides through death. Memory abides through death. We shall find what we have lost, and know we have found it. As the years pass how rich heaven becomes! Those who are there forbid the thought of it as a strange place (H. E. I. 470, 2739). It is our homeour Fathers house.
III. THEIR NEW CONDITIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES. Everlasting joy, &c.
During the Captivity there were sore longings for freedom and home. The captives wept when they remembered Zion. They could not sing the Lords song in a strange land. Here all that is reversed. Inappeasable desire is gone. Heaven will contain much we have never imagined (H. E. I. 27142727).
There is, then, no loss in death. We are saved by hope. The future of the redeemed is assured by the Redeemer. Life is theirs. Death is theirs. Heaven is theirs. They shall go no more out for ever!W. Hope Davison: The Preachers Monthly, vol. vii. pp. 2527.
I. THE CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING HOME TO HEAVEN.
The redeemed of the Lord.
1. They were once captives. Of Satan (2Ti. 2:16). Slaves to their own depraved affections and desiressold under sin (Rom. 7:23). Prisoners to the Divine lawowing a debt which they could not discharge, and exposed to the righteous penalty.
2. They could not redeem themselves. The price was too great for such insolvents to pay, &c. (see on Isa. 52:3).
3. It was the work of an Almighty Saviour to ransom the captives. He alone could pay the price, and deliver them from the grasp of Satan and the thraldom of sin, &c. He is emphatically called the Redeemer, and His people the redeemed (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; 1Co. 6:19).
4. They are redeemed to be the Lords people. They are no longer slaves, but the Lords freemenHis property, servants, children, &c.; redeemed that they may share in the privileges and joys of the sons of God (Rom. 14:9).
II. THE NATURE OF THEIR JOURNEY.
1. They are journeying heavenward. Shall return and come to Zion. Zion was the type of the heavenly cityone of its names (Heb. 12:22; Rev. 14:1; Psa. 65:1; Psa. 84:7). Heaven the place of perfect worship, fellowship, &c. The object of the Christian pilgrims highest hope, around which their best affections centre, &c. Can never be fully at rest till they reach their Fathers home on high, and repose on His paternal bosom.
2. They are journeying heavenward in dependence upon God. They feel themselves weak, &c., but they rely upon the promised strength, &c. In Christ they have perfect strength, for perfect weakness. The homeward journey may be trying; they may have to tread on thorns, to shiver in the keen winds, &c.; but notwithstanding all, they advance under the benediction of heaven. God in all the Omnipotence of His might is with them, and therefore, through winds and stormy seas, they shall return to Zion.
3. They journey joyfully. They come to Zion with singing. As the ransomed captives would return from Babylon, and as travellers commonly do now in the East; as a bird got loose out of a cage. They gratefully sing the praises of their great Deliverer and Conductor; they confidently sing of His loving care, &c.; of their glorious prospects, and of their ultimate triumph, and find it nearer while they sing.
III. THE BLISSFUL TERMINATION OF THE JOURNEY.
1. They shall finish their course with triumphant joy. Everlasting joy, &c. They reach home with difficulty (1Pe. 4:18), but certainly. Enemies conqueredbeatific visionexalted society, &c. What a blissful termination! What are other journeys compared with this? What sources of joy and gladness are here!
2. They shall receive an incorruptible crown. Songs and everlasting joy upon their heads. This may refer to the custom of wearing a wreath or chaplet of flowers in times of festivity, as is often done now, and as was commonly done among the ancients in triumphal processions.
3. They shall be eternally exempt from all that creates pain and uneasiness. Sorrow and sighing shall flee away. It must be so in the heavenly home (Rev. 21:4). No sigh was ever heaved there, no head ever ached there, &c. In this world of changes it is a short step from joy to sorrow, but in that world sorrow and mourning shall flee away, never to return or come in view again. Eternal health, wealth, purity, security, happiness, light, &c. Eternal life! Life in its highest forms and manifestations. Life with Christeternal and ineffable, ever developing in all perfection of strength, and beauty, and joy!
CONCLUSION:
1. The value of Christianity. No other religion can furnish such consolation amid human woes; and no other religion is, therefore, adapted to humanity. We are under infinite obligations to Christ, for from Him we derive all our present and future bliss. Let the prospect of such a home hearten us under the trials and difficulties of life. Press nobly on with assured confidence and eager desire.
2. The heavenly home belongs to the redeemed of the Lord. But there are some of you who are the bond-slaves of Satan, &c. Repent and believe the Gospel of freedom. Come to Christ, trust Him for emancipation from the thraldom of sin and Satan, and then let your ransomed life be one of praise and devotion to your great Deliverer.Alfred Tucker.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(11) Therefore the redeemed.Note worthy as being either a quotation by Isaiah from himself (Isa. 35:10), or by the unknown writer of Isaiah from the earlier prophet. The assumption that it is an interpolation by a copyist rests on no adequate ground.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Isa 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy [shall be] upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; [and] sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
Ver. 11. Therefore the redeemed of the Lord, &c. ] This is God’s answer, as some; or the good people’s confidence, as others, that God would deliver them now, as he had done their forefathers from Pharaoh.
And everlasting joy.
They shall obtain joy.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
redeemed = redeemed (by power). Hebrew. padah. See note on Exo 13:13.
come with singing. Compare Isa 35:10.
mourning = sighing. See notes on Isa 21:2.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the redeemed: Isa 35:10, Isa 44:23, Isa 48:20, Isa 49:13, Jer 30:18, Jer 30:19, Jer 31:11, Jer 31:12, Jer 33:11, Act 2:41-47, Rev 5:9-13, Rev 7:9, Rev 7:10, Rev 14:1-4, Rev 19:1-7
everlasting: Isa 60:19, Isa 61:7, 2Co 4:17, 2Co 4:18, 2Th 2:16, Jud 1:24
and sorrow: Isa 25:8, Isa 60:20, Isa 65:19, Rev 7:17, Rev 21:1, Rev 21:4, Rev 22:3
Reciprocal: Exo 15:1 – Then 2Ch 20:27 – the Lord Psa 45:15 – With Psa 68:22 – the depths Psa 74:2 – redeemed Psa 102:21 – General Psa 105:43 – with joy Psa 118:15 – voice Psa 125:1 – be as mount Psa 137:3 – the songs of Zion Isa 24:14 – General Isa 29:22 – who redeemed Isa 44:22 – return Isa 55:12 – ye shall Isa 61:10 – will greatly Isa 65:18 – General Jer 31:13 – for Jer 51:10 – let us Jer 51:50 – escaped Zep 3:14 – shout Zec 2:10 – and rejoice Zec 8:19 – joy Zec 10:8 – for Mat 5:4 – General Joh 16:22 – and your Act 3:19 – when Heb 12:22 – ye are come 1Pe 4:13 – ye may
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall {l} return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy [shall be] upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
(l) From Babylon.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
The consequence of the Lord’s arm again providing redemption for His people was that the exiles would return to Zion from Babylon with great joy (cf. Isa 35:10). The joy at this return was only a foretaste of the joy His people would experience as a result of His redemption through the Servant and their return to the Promised Land in the Millennium (cf. Isa 55:12).
Isa 51:12-16 record the Lord’s response to the cry just recorded.