Major Prophets · Chapter 62 of 66

Isaiah 62

For Zion's sake God will not keep silent until her righteousness shines like dawn. She will be called by a new name given by God's own mouth, no longer Forsaken but Hephzibah, for the LORD delights in her and rejoices over her like a bridegroom. God sets watchmen to give Him no rest until Jerusalem is a praise, and proclaims to the ends of the world that salvation comes.

What happens in Isaiah 62

God declares that for Zion's sake He will not hold His peace until her righteousness goes forth like brightness and her salvation like a burning lamp. The nations and their kings will see her righteousness, and she will be given a new name that the LORD's own mouth will pronounce. No longer will she be called Forsaken or her land Desolate; instead she will be named Hephzibah, meaning God delights in her, and her land Beulah, married.

As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so God will rejoice over her. He sets watchmen on her walls who never keep silent, urging them to give God no rest until He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. God swears her grain and wine will no longer feed enemies but be enjoyed by those who labored. He proclaims that Zion's salvation comes, and her people will be called the holy people, the redeemed of the LORD.

Isaiah 62 in context

This chapter continues Isaiah's radiant vision of restored Zion in the book's closing section. Its dominant image is a transformed relationship: the once-forsaken city becomes a beloved bride. Names in the ancient world declared identity and destiny, so the giving of a new name signals a wholly changed status.

The watchmen who give God no rest model persistent, expectant prayer for the fulfillment of His promises. The proclamation to the ends of the earth that salvation comes echoes the herald imagery found earlier in Isaiah.

Main themes of Isaiah 62

Isaiah 62 (KJV)

1For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. 2And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. 3Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. 4Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. 5For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee. 6I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, 7And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. 8The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured: 9But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness. 10Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people. 11Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 12And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.

Verses to carry from Isaiah 62

“And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.”Isaiah 62:2

“For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.”Isaiah 62:5

“Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.”Isaiah 62:11

Reflection

You may still carry old names: Forsaken, Desolate, a self-image shaped by failure. Hear God insist He will not rest until He renames you by His delight, rejoicing over you as a bridegroom over a bride. And let the watchmen teach you to pray without giving up, holding God to the salvation He has promised.

A prayer from Isaiah 62