Isaiah 61

King James Version

Full text for Isaiah Chapter 61

1¶ The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;

2To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

3To 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.

4¶ And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

5And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien [shall be] your plowmen and your vinedressers.

6But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: [men] shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

7For your shame [ye shall have] double; and [for] confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.

8For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

9And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they [are] the seed [which] the LORD hath blessed.

10¶ I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with her jewels.

11For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The Spirit of the Lord anoints the speaker to bring good tidings, comfort, and liberty to the afflicted and captive. This mission includes proclaiming the acceptable year of the Lord and a day of vengeance. The people of God will experience restoration, rebuilding, and double blessing for their past shame, becoming priests and ministers among the nations. The chapter concludes with a joyful declaration of the Lord's righteousness and salvation, promising that praise will spring forth before all nations.

Medium Summary

The chapter opens with the speaker declaring his anointing by the Spirit of the Lord God to preach good tidings to the meek, bind the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to captives. His mission also encompasses comforting all who mourn, transforming their sorrow into joy, beauty, and praise, so they may be called "trees of righteousness." A period of restoration is foretold, where the people will rebuild ancient desolations, and foreigners will serve them. They are destined to be called "Priests of the LORD" and "Ministers of our God," receiving double honor and everlasting joy in place of their former shame. The Lord affirms His love for judgment and His intention to make an everlasting covenant, ensuring their descendants are recognized as blessed among the Gentiles. The speaker personally rejoices in the Lord, clothed in garments of salvation and righteousness. The chapter concludes with the assurance that the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all nations, like a garden bringing forth its growth.

Long Summary

Isaiah chapter 61 commences with a profound declaration from the speaker, who states that the Spirit of the Lord God is upon him, having anointed him for a specific divine mission. This mission involves preaching good tidings to the meek, providing solace to the brokenhearted, proclaiming liberty to captives, and opening the prison to those who are bound. The speaker is also sent to announce the "acceptable year of the LORD" and the "day of vengeance of our God," alongside comforting all who mourn. A key aspect of this comfort is the transformation of sorrow into joy, giving beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, so they may be known as "trees of righteousness." Following this prophetic mission, the chapter shifts to the future restoration and exaltation of God's people. They are promised to rebuild ancient wastes and raise up former desolations, repairing cities that have lain waste for generations. Strangers and foreigners will serve them, tending their flocks and working their fields as plowmen and vinedressers. Furthermore, the people themselves will be elevated to a position of honor, being named "Priests of the LORD" and "Ministers of our God," and will partake in the riches and glory of the Gentiles. For their past shame and confusion, they are promised a double portion and everlasting joy. The Lord Himself declares His love for judgment and His hatred for injustice, affirming His commitment to direct their work in truth and establish an everlasting covenant with them. Consequently, their descendants will be renowned among the Gentiles and peoples, acknowledged by all as the blessed seed of the Lord. The speaker then expresses profound personal joy in the Lord, likening his spiritual adornment with salvation and righteousness to a bridegroom's ornaments and a bride's jewels. The chapter concludes with a powerful metaphor, asserting that just as the earth brings forth her bud and a garden causes its seeds to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

Core Concepts

  • Divine Anointing and MissionThe speaker is anointed by the Spirit of the Lord God to preach good tidings, heal the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to captives, and comfort mourners. This highlights a divinely appointed role for spiritual and social restoration.
  • Year of the Lord and VengeanceThe mission includes proclaiming "the acceptable year of the LORD" and "the day of vengeance of our God," indicating a period of divine favor and judgment. This dual proclamation signifies both salvation and retribution.
  • Transformation of SorrowThe chapter emphasizes the divine promise to replace mourning with joy, ashes with beauty, and heaviness with praise, transforming the afflicted into "trees of righteousness." This speaks to a profound spiritual and emotional renewal.
  • Restoration and Exaltation of ZionA future is foretold where the people will rebuild ancient desolations, and strangers will serve them, while they themselves are elevated to be "Priests of the LORD." This signifies a complete physical and spiritual restoration of their status.
  • Double Portion and Everlasting CovenantFor their past shame, the people are promised a double portion of blessing and everlasting joy, secured by the Lord's everlasting covenant. This underscores God's faithfulness and abundant recompense.
  • Righteousness and Praise for All NationsThe chapter concludes with the assurance that the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all nations. This points to a universal manifestation of God's redemptive work and glory.