Isaiah 51:9

“Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord, &c.] The Septuagint and Arabic versions take the words to be an address to Jerusalem; and the Syriac version to Zion, as in (<235117>Isaiah 51:17 52:1), but wrongly: they are, as Jarchi says, a prayer of the prophet, or it may be rather of the church represented by him; and are addressed either to God the Father, who, when he does not immediately appear on the behalf of his people, is thought by them to be asleep, though he never slumbers nor sleeps, but always keeps a watchful eye over them; but this they not apprehending, call upon him to “awake”; which is repeated, to show their sense of danger, and of their need of him, and their vehement…”

“Impassioned prayer of the exiled Jews. ancient days-- (Psa 44:1). Rahab--poetical name for Egypt (see on Isa 30:7). dragon--Hebrew, tannin. The crocodile, an emblem of Egypt, as represented on coins struck after the conquest of Egypt by Augustus; or rather here, "its king," Pharaoh (see on Isa 27:1; Psa 74:13-14; Eze 32:2, Margin; Eze 29:3).”

“Awake, awake - This verse commences a new subject (see the analysis of the chapter). It is the solemn and impassioned entreaty of those who were in exile that God would interpose in their behalf, as he did in behalf of his people when they were suffering in cruel bondage in Egypt. The word ‘awake’ here, which is addressed to the arm of Jehovah, is a petition that it might be roused from its apparent stupor and inactivity, and its power exerted in their behalf. O arm of the Lord - The arm is the instrument by which we execute any purpose. It is that by which the warrior engages in battle, and by which he wields the weapon to prostrate his foes. The arm of Yahweh had seemed to slumber; For…”

“Put on - Put forth thy strength. Rahab - Egypt, from its pride or strength. The dragon - Pharaoh so called, Psa 74:13. Isaiah 51:11”

“51:9-10 Wake up, wake up: God does not sleep; this prayer is for God to act immediately to save his people (see 52:1; see especially God’s military garb in 59:17). • in the days of old: The exodus from Egypt was an act of redemption that displayed God’s power as he made a path of escape (51:10) for his people (see also 11:15).”

“Awake: Isa 51:17, Isa 27:1; Psa 7:6, Psa 44:23, Psa 59:4, Psa 78:65; Hab 2:19 put: Isa 52:1, Isa 59:17; Psa 21:13, Psa 74:13, Psa 74:14, Psa 93:1; Rev 11:17 O arm: Isa 51:5, Isa 53:1, Isa 59:16, Isa 62:8; Luk 1:51; Joh 12:38 as in: Jdg 6:13; Neh 9:7-15; Psa 44:1 Art thou: Job 26:12 \*marg. Psa 87:4, Psa 89:10 the dragon: Isa 27:1; Psa 74:13, Psa 74:14; Eze 29:3; Hab 3:13; Rev 12:9 Isaiah 51:10”

“But just as such an exhortation as this followed very naturally from the grand promises with which they prophecy commenced, so does a longing for the promised salvation spring out of this exhortation, together with the assurance of its eventual realization. "Awake, awake, clothe thyself in might, O arm of Jehovah; awake, as in the days of ancient time, the ages of the olden world! Was it not thou that didst split Rahab in pieces, and pierced the dragon? Was it not thou that didst dry up the sea, the waters of the great billow; that didst turn the depths of the sea into a way for redeemed to pass through? Ad the emancipated of Jehovah will return, and come to Zion with shouting, and…”