Isa 42:1-4 | NETfull | STEP | “Here is my servant whom I support, my chosen one in whom I take pleasure. I have placed my spirit on him; he will make just decrees for the nations.

Isaiah 42:1-4

1 ^{▼▼ Verses 1–7 contain the first of Isaiah’s “servant songs,” which describe the ministry of a special, ideal servant who accomplishes God’s purposes for Israel and the nations. This song depicts the servant as a just king who brings justice to the earth and relief for the oppressed. The other songs appear in 49:1–13; 50:4–11; and 52:13–53:12.} “Here is my servant whom I support,
my chosen one in whom I take pleasure.
I have placed my spirit on him;
he will make just decrees ^{▼▼ Heb “he will bring out justice” (cf. ASV, NASB, NRSV).} for the nations. ^{▼▼ Like the ideal king portrayed in Isa 11:1–9, the servant is energized by the divine spirit and establishes justice on the earth.}
2 He will not cry out or shout;
he will not publicize himself in the streets. ^{▼▼ Heb “he will not cause his voice to be heard in the street.”}
3 A crushed reed he will not break,
a dim wick he will not extinguish; ^{▼▼ The “crushed reed” and “dim wick” symbolize the weak and oppressed who are on the verge of extinction.}
he will faithfully make just decrees. ^{▼▼ Heb “faithfully he will bring out justice” (cf. NASB, NRSV).}
4 He will not grow dim or be crushed ^{▼▼ For rhetorical effect the terms used to describe the “crushed (רָצַץ, ratsats) reed” and “dim (כָּהָה, kahah) wick” in v. 3 are repeated here.}
before establishing justice on the earth;
the coastlands ^{▼▼ Or “islands” (NIV); NLT “distant lands beyond the sea.”} will wait in anticipation for his decrees.” ^{▼▼ Or “his law” (KJV, ASV, NASB, NIV) or “his instruction” (NLT).}