Isaiah 51:4

“Hearken unto me, my people, &c.] His special people, whether Jews or Gentiles, chosen by him, taken into covenant with him; given to Christ, redeemed by him as a peculiar people, and called by his grace; these are exhorted to hearken to him; to his word, as the Targum; (see <235101>Isaiah 51:1): and give ear unto me, O my nation; not the nation of the Jews only, but the Gentiles; a nation taken out of a nation, even out of all nations; a chosen and a holy nation. The Septuagint and Arabic versions render it “kings”; such are made kings and priests unto God: (see <600209>1 Peter 2:9,10), for a law shall proceed from me; not the Sinai law, but the Gospel; that doctrine that is said to go out…”

“my people--the Jews. This reading is better than that of GESENIUS: "O peoples . . . nations," namely, the Gentiles. The Jews are called on to hear and rejoice in the extension of the true religion to the nations; for, at the first preaching of the Gospel, as in the final age to come, it was from Jerusalem that the gospel law was, and is, to go forth (Isa 2:3). law . . . judgment--the gospel dispensation and institutions (Isa 42:1, "judgment"). make . . . to rest--establish firmly; found. light, &c.-- (Isa 42:6).”

“Hearken unto me, my people - Lowth reads this; Attend unto me, O ye people, And give ear unto me, O ye nations. The reason why he proposes this change is, that he supposes the address here is made to the Gentiles and not to the Jews, and in favor of the change he observes, that two manuscripts read it in this manner. Gesenius (Commentary) says that three codices read עמים ‛ammiym (“peoples”), instead of עמי ‛amiy (“my people”); and that thirteen MSS. read לאוּמים le'ûmiym (“nations”), instead of לאוּמי leûmiy (“my nation”). Noyes also has adopted this reading. But the authority is too slight to justify a change in the text. The Vulgate reads it in accordance with the present Hebrew text,…”

“My people - Ye Jews, whom I chose to be my peculiar people. A law - A new law, even the doctrine of the gospel. Judgment - Judgment is here the same thing with law, the word of God, or the evangelical doctrine, of which he saith that he will make it to rest, that is settle and establish it. The people - People of all nations. Isaiah 51:5”

“51:4 my law . . . my justice: The work of the servant will prosper because justice will be the rule in God’s kingdom on earth (see 42:1-4). • a light to the nations: The nations will receive the Lord and his revelation (see also 42:6; 49:6; 60:1-3; 66:19-23; Matt 4:15-16; Luke 2:32; John 1:4-9; 12:35-50; Acts 13:47).”

“O my: Isa 26:2; Exo 19:6, Exo 33:13; Psa 33:12, Psa 106:5, Psa 147:20; Pe1 2:9 a law: Isa 2:3; Mic 4:2; Rom 8:2-4; Co1 9:21 I will make: Isa 42:1-4, Isa 42:6, Isa 49:6; Pro 6:23; Mat 12:18-20; Luk 2:32; Joh 16:8-11 Isaiah 51:5”

“But the great work of the future extends far beyond the restoration of Israel, which becomes the source of salvation to all the world. "Hearken unto me, my people, and give ear unto me, O my congregation! for instruction will go forth from me, and I make a place for my right, to be a light of the nations. My righteousness is near, my salvation is drawn out, and my arms will judge nations: the hoping of the islands looks to me, and for mine arm is their waiting." It is Israel which is here summoned to hearken to the promise introduced with kı̄. לאוּמּי is only used here of Israel, like גּוי in Zep 2:9; and the lxx (καὶ οἱ βασιλεῖς) have quite misunderstood it. An address to the heathen…”