Isaiah 51:16

“And I have put my words in thy mouth, &c.] His promises and his truths, either in the mouth of his church, and people for them, both to preserve and transmit to future generations, and to publish and declare to the comfort of each other, (<235921>Isaiah 59:21) or to the Prophet Isaiah, to make known to the people of Israel; or to Christ himself, the great Prophet in Israel, by whom grace and truth are come, and by whom God has spoken all his mind and will, and in whom all the promises are yea and amen. The doctrines of God, and not men, as appears by their truth, purity, harmony and efficacy; they are the words of faith and sound doctrine, of peace and reconciliation, of pardon and…”

“Addressed to Israel, embodied in "the servant of Jehovah" (Isa 42:1), Messiah, its ideal and representative Head, through whom the elect remnant is to be restored. put my words in thy mouth--true of Israel, the depository of true religion, but fully realized only in Israel's Head and antitype, Messiah (Isa 49:2; Isa 50:4-5; Isa 59:21; Deu 18:18; Joh 3:34). covered . . . in . . . shadow of . . . hand--protected thee (see on Isa 49:2). plant--rather, "fix" as a tabernacle; so it ought to be rendered (Dan 11:45). The "new creation," now going on in the spiritual world by the Gospel (Eph 2:10), and hereafter to be extended to the visible world, is meant (Isa 65:17; Isa 66:22; compare Isa 13:13;…”

“And I have put my words in thy mouth - That is, he had committed his truth to the Jewish people; to Zion. He had entrusted them with his statutes and his laws; he had given them the promise of the Messiah, and through him the assurance that the true religion would be spread to other nations. He would, therefore, preserve them, and restore them again to their own land. And have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand - That is, I have protected thee (see the notes at Isaiah 49:2). That I may plant the heavens - Lowth renders this, ‘To stretch out the heavens.’ Noyes, ‘To establish the heavens.’ Jerome, Ut plantes coelos - ‘That thou mayest plant the heavens.’ The Septuagint, Ἐν ῇ ἔστησα…”

“I have - These words are spoken by God to his church and people, to whom he speaks both in the foregoing and following verses. For God's word is frequently said to be put into the mouths, not only of the prophets, but of the people also. Covered - Have protected thee by my almighty power, that I may bring thee to that perfect and blessed estate which is reserved for the days of the Messiah, which in scripture phrase is called a making of new heavens, and a new earth, Isa 65:17. Isaiah 51:17”

“51:16 my words in your mouth: The focus shifted back to the servant. • You are my people: Israel was the covenant community.”

“I have put: Isa 50:4, Isa 59:21; Deu 18:18; Joh 3:34, Joh 8:38-40, Joh 17:8; Rev 1:1 I have covered: Isa 49:2; Deu 33:27 plant: Isa 45:18, Isa 60:21, Isa 61:3, Isa 65:17, Isa 66:22; Psa 92:13; Pe2 3:13 and lay: Isa 48:13, Isa 49:8; Psa 75:3 Thou art: Isa 60:14, Isa 60:15; Jer 31:33, Jer 32:38; Zac 8:8, Zac 13:9; Heb 8:10 Isaiah 51:17”

“The promise, as the pledge of which Jehovah has staked His absolute power, to which everything must yield, now rises up to an eschatological height, from the historical point at which it began. "And I put my words into thy mouth, and in the shadow of my hand have I covered thee, to plant heavens, and to found an earth, and to say to Zion, Thou art my people." It is a lofty calling, a glorious future, for the preparation and introduction of which Israel, although fallen as low as Isa 51:7 describes, has been equipped and kept in the shadow of unapproachable omnipotence. Jehovah has put His words into the mouth of this Israel - His words, the force and certainty of which are measured by His…”