Isaiah 42:1-9 contains one of the famous Servant Songs of Second Isaiah (see Isaiah 42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-9; 52:13--53:12; see also Isaiah 61).

[Editor's note: An earlier version of this page featured commentary by Juliana Claassens from Dec. 14, 2014.]

Let’s begin by detailing what exactly Isaiah 42:1-9 says about the servant and his ministry. The servant:

• is upheld and chosen by God (verse 1)
• is one in whom God delights (verse 1)
• is one on whom God’s Spirit resides (verse 1)
• brings forth justice to the nations (verse 1)
• does not raise his voice in the streets (verse 2)
• does not break a bruised read or quench a burning wick (verse 3)
• faithfully brings forth justice (verse 3)
• will tirelessly work until he has established justice in the earth (verse 4)
• has teaching that the coastlands wait upon (verse 4)
• has the support of God (verse 6)
• is given as a “covenant to the people” (verse 6)
• is a “light to the nations” (verse 6)
• will “open the eyes that are blind”(verse 7)
• will “bring out the prisoners from the dungeon ... those who sit in darkness” (verse 7)
...