Isaiah Chapter 42 — The Servant of the Lord
God introduces a chosen servant who will bring justice to the nations and promises to guide those who are blind. The chapter calls for all creation to sing a new song of praise to the Lord.
1“Behold, my servant, whom I uphold,
2He will not shout,
3He won’t break a bruised reed.
4He will not fail nor be discouraged,
5God the LORD,
6“I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness.
7to open the blind eyes,
8“I am the LORD.
9Behold, the former things have happened
10Sing to the LORD a new song,
11Let the wilderness and its cities raise their voices,
12Let them give glory to the LORD,
13The LORD will go out like a mighty man.
14“I have been silent a long time.
15I will destroy mountains and hills,
16I will bring the blind by a way that they don’t know.
17“Those who trust in engraved images,
18“Hear, you deaf,
19Who is blind, but my servant?
20You see many things, but don’t observe.
21It pleased the LORD, for his righteousness’ sake, to magnify the law
22But this is a robbed and plundered people.
23Who is there among you who will give ear to this?
24Who gave Jacob as plunder,
25Therefore he poured the fierceness of his anger on him,
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Isaiah 42:1
“Behold, my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights—I have put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations.”
This verse introduces the central figure of the chapter, a servant chosen and empowered by God to bring justice.
Isaiah 42:3
“He won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a dimly burning wick. He will faithfully bring justice.”
This highlights the gentle and compassionate nature of the servant toward the weak and suffering.
Isaiah 42:10
“Sing to the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is therein, the islands, and their inhabitants.”
It marks a shift to universal praise, calling all of creation to acknowledge God's power.
Chapter Summary
Isaiah 42 begins with God presenting His servant, in whom He delights and upon whom He puts His Spirit. This servant is described as gentle and humble, refusing to break a bruised reed or quench a dimly burning wick, yet persistent in establishing justice on earth. God affirms His role as the Creator and promises to uphold His servant to be a light for the nations and a restorer of sight. Following this introduction, the text calls for a new song from the ends of the earth, including the wilderness and the sea, to give glory to the Lord. God then describes His coming action as a mighty man, asserting His power over idols and His intention to lead the blind through unknown paths. The chapter concludes by addressing the current state of spiritual deafness and blindness among the people, noting that although they have seen much, they have failed to truly observe or obey the law of the Lord.
Frequently Asked Questions
The text describes the servant as one chosen and upheld by God, empowered by His Spirit to bring justice to the nations. He is characterized by gentleness and persistence, and is called to be a light for the nations and a restorer of sight to the blind.
This imagery suggests that the servant is exceptionally gentle and will not crush those who are already weak or fragile. It emphasizes a compassionate and restorative approach to bringing about justice rather than one of force or destruction.
The call for a new song is an invitation for all creation—from the sea to the wilderness—to praise God for His redemptive actions. It signifies a response to God's intervention as a mighty man who triumphs over His enemies and leads His people.
The text describes the people as blind and deaf because they have witnessed God's works and laws but failed to truly observe or understand them. This spiritual state explains why they have faced plundering and the fierceness of God's anger.
Study Note
Isaiah 42:1-4 is historically identified as the first of four 'Servant Songs' that detail the character and mission of a specific chosen individual in the book of Isaiah.
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