Isaiah 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy shall be on their head… No New Testament utterance could be more beautiful than this picturing of the return of the redeemed of the Lord to Zion. 1. It points, at the outset, to the grounds of their confidence and joy. They are ransomed travellers: they have found the "righteousness" and the "salvation" spoken of at the commencement of the chapter. They go, on their pilgrim way exulting in Him whose arm "hath wounded the dragon" — the "Man of God's right hand," who in His cross and passion hath "destroyed him that had the power of death, that is the devil, and delivered them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." They are more than conquerors through Him that loved them. 2. They are further here truthfully represented, even in the course of their journey through the wilderness, as filled "with peace and joy in believing," "abounding in hope." The Christian is a joyful man. Though it be a wilderness he treads, and though sorrow and mourning are also depicted as tracking his footsteps, yet he has elements of tranquil happiness within him which make the song, not the tear, the appropriate exponent of his thoughts and emotions. It were strange, indeed, were it otherwise. At peace with God; sin forgiven; the heart changed; the affections elevated; grace moulding, sustaining, quickening, sanctifying; and, rising above all, the assured hope of glory hereafter. 3. The words, too, seem to tell of an ever-augmenting joy. As the portals of glory draw nearer, the song,, deepens in melody and strength. They come to. Zion "with. singing;" then "everlasting joy is on their head. Then, they obtain a new anointing of "gladness;" and finally "sorrow and mourning" — these two companions of the wilderness-rise on their sombre, gloomy wings, and speed away for ever! (J. R. Macduff, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. |
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