Isaiah 41:8

“But thou, Israel, art my servant, &c.] As the great spread and success of the Gospel could not fail of drawing the resentment of the idolatrous Heathens on those who embraced and professed it, and by whom they were grievously persecuted under the Roman emperors; wherefore, to support them under these trials, the Lord speaks these and the following comfortable words unto them; for not carnal, but spiritual Israel are here meant; such who by the power of divine grace were turned from idols to serve the living God, who were made willing to become his servants, and whose honour it was to be so called and accounted; and being so, they might be assured their Lord and Master would protect and…”

“Contrast between the idolatrous nations whom God will destroy by Cyrus, and Israel whom God will deliver by the same man for their forefathers' sake. servant--so termed as being chosen by God to worship Him themselves, and to lead other peoples to do the same (Isa 45:4). Jacob . . . chosen-- (Psa 135:4). my friend--literally, "loving me."”

“But thou, Israel, art my servant - This is an address directly to the Jews, and is designed to show them, in view of the truths which had just been urged, that God was their protector and friend. Those who relied on idols were trusting to that which could not aid them. But those who trusted in him were safe. For their protection he had raised up Cyrus, for this purpose he had subdued the nations before him. God now expresses to them the assurance that though the nations should be destroyed, yet that he had chosen them, and would remember them, and his promise made to Abraham, their illustrious ancestor. The word ‘servant’ here is used in a mild and gentle sense, not to denote bondage or…”

“41:8-16 These two prophecies of salvation for God’s servant Israel (41:8-13, 14-16) prepare for the first of the suffering servant songs (see study note on 42:1-4). 41:8 The servant—here the nation of Israel—was God’s chosen one, whose calling was grounded in God’s purposes. • Abraham my friend: The phrase in Hebrew could mean Abraham who loves me or Abraham whom I love. See also Jas 2:23.”

“thou: Isa 43:1, Isa 44:1, Isa 44:2, Isa 44:21, Isa 48:12, Isa 49:3; Exo 19:5, Exo 19:6; Lev 25:42; Deu 7:6-8, Deu 10:15; Deu 14:2; Psa 33:12, Psa 105:6, Psa 105:42-45, Psa 135:4; Jer 33:24 the seed: Mat 3:9; Joh 8:33-44; Rom 4:12, Rom 4:13, Rom 9:4-8; Gal 3:19, Gal 4:22-31 my friend: Ch2 20:7; Joh 15:14, Joh 15:15; Jam 2:23 Isaiah 41:9”

“The proof adduced by Jehovah of His own deity closes here. But instead of our hearing whether the nations, with which He has entered upon the contest, have any reply to make, the address turns to Israel, upon which deliverance dawns from that very quarter, from which the others are threatened with destruction. "And thou, Israel my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, seed of Abraham my friend, thou whom I have laid hold of from the ends of the earth, and called from the corners thereof, and said to thee, Thou art my servant, I have chosen and not despised thee; fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not afraid, for I am thy God: I have chosen thee, I also help thee, I also hold thee with the…”