Salvation for Zion

Those who pursue righteousness are told to look to the rock from which they were cut and specifically to Abraham and Sarah, whom the LORD called when they were few and made into a people. The same God who created fruitfulness from barrenness will comfort Zion, turning her wilderness into a place like Eden filled with joy, thanksgiving, and song.

“¹Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness, ²Look to Abraham your father, ³For the LORD will comfort Zion

The LORD summons His people to pay attention because His law, righteousness, and salvation are going out toward the nations and coastlands. Though heaven and earth seem immense and enemies may threaten and reproach the faithful, created things will wear out while God's salvation and righteousness remain forever, giving courage to those who know what is right and carry His law in their hearts.

⁴Pay attention to Me, My people, ⁵My righteousness draws near, ⁶Lift up your eyes to the heavens, ⁷Listen to Me, you who know what is right, ⁸For the moth will devour them like a garment,

A cry rises for the arm of the LORD to awake as in ancient days when Rahab was cut apart and the sea was dried up so the redeemed could pass through. That memory becomes expectation: the ransomed of the LORD will return to Zion with singing, everlasting joy on their heads, and sorrow and sighing driven away.

⁹Awake, awake, ¹⁰Was it not You who dried up the sea, ¹¹So the redeemed of the LORD will return

The LORD Himself answers as the Comforter of His people, asking why they fear mortal oppressors while forgetting their Maker who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth. Because He is the LORD of Hosts who stirs up the sea, the captive will soon be freed, His words will be placed in the mouth of His servant, and Zion will again hear God say, 'You are My people.'

¹²“I, even I, am He who comforts you. ¹³But you have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, ¹⁴The captive will soon be freed; ¹⁵For I am the LORD your God ¹⁶I have put My words in your mouth,