< Isaiah 62 >
1 Because I am very concerned about [the people of] Jerusalem [DOU], I will do something to help them. I will not stop praying for them until they are rescued/freed [from their oppressors], until that becomes as apparent to everyone as the dawn [every morning], until people can see it as clearly as [SIM] they see a torch shining brightly [at night].
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep still, until her righteousness shines like a bright light, her salvation like a blazing torch.
2 [Some day] the [people of many] nations will know that Yahweh has rescued you, [his people]. Their kings will see that your city is [very] great/glorious. And Yahweh [MTY] will give your [city] a new name.
Nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. You will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.
3 [It will be as though] Yahweh will hold you up in his hands in order that everyone can see you. Under his authority [MTY], you will be [like] a glorious headband/turban worn by a king.
You will be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, a royal diadem in the palm of your God.
4 Your [city] will never again be called “the deserted/abandoned city” and your country will never again be called “the desolate land”; it will be called “the land that Yahweh delights in”, and [it will also be called] “married to Yahweh”. It will be called that because Yahweh will be delighted with you, [and it will be as though] you are his bride [MET].
No longer will you be called Forsaken, nor your land named Desolate; but you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be His bride.
5 You people will live in all the country of Judah like [SIM] a young man lives with his bride. And our God will be happy that you [belong to] him like [SIM] a bridegroom is happy that his bride [belongs to him].
For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.
6 [You people of] Jerusalem, I have placed watchmen on your walls; they will [LIT] earnestly pray to Yahweh day and night. You watchmen, you must not stop [praying] [and] reminding Yahweh [about what he has promised to do]!
On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves,
7 And tell Yahweh that he should not rest until he causes Jerusalem to be [a city that is] famous throughout the world.
nor give Him any rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.
8 Yahweh has raised his right hand to solemnly promise [to the people of Jerusalem], “I will use my power [MTY] and never again allow your enemies to defeat you; [soldiers from other nations will never come again] to take away your grain and the wine that you worked hard [to produce].
The LORD has sworn by His right hand and by His mighty arm: “Never again will I give your grain to your enemies for food, nor will foreigners drink the new wine for which you have toiled.
9 You yourselves grew the grain, and you will be the ones who will praise [me], Yahweh, while you eat [the bread made from] that grain. Inside the courtyards of my temple you yourselves will drink the wine made from the grapes [that you harvested].”
For those who harvest grain will eat it and praise the LORD, and those who gather grapes will drink the wine in My holy courts.”
10 Go out through the [city] gates! Prepare the highway on which people [will return from other countries]! Cause the road to become smooth; clear off [all] the stones; set up signal flags to help the people-groups to see [where the road to Jerusalem is].
Go out, go out through the gates; prepare the way for the people! Build it up, build up the highway; clear away the stones; raise a banner for the nations!
11 This is the message that Yahweh has sent to [the people of] every nation: “Tell the people of Israel, ‘The one who will rescue/save you is coming! Look! He will be bringing to you (your reward/what you deserve [for the good things that you have done]); those whom he is setting free will be going ahead of him.’”
Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the ends of the earth, “Say to Daughter Zion: See, your Savior comes! Look, His reward is with Him, and His recompense goes before Him.”
12 They will be called “Yahweh’s own people, the ones whom he rescued”. And Jerusalem will be known as the city that [Yahweh] loves, the city that is no [longer] abandoned.
And they will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of The LORD; and you will be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.