Charles Ellicott Commentary Isaiah 40:1

"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God." — Isaiah 40:1 (ASV)

Comfort ye ... —I start with the assumption that the great prophetic poem that follows is the work of Isaiah himself, referring to the Introduction for the discussion of all questions connected with its authorship and arrangement. It has a link, as has been noticed, with the earlier collection of his writings in Isaiah 35:9-10.

At the outset, the prophet’s mind is obviously projected into the future, which he had been given to see. In this vision, the time of punishment and discipline, having done its work, was to be succeeded by blessedness and peace.

The keynote is struck in the opening words. The phrase my people is a distinct echo of Hosea 2:1. Lo Ammi (that is, “not my people”) has been brought back to his true position as Ammi (that is, “my people”).

Saith your God. —Noticeable as a formula which is at once peculiar to Isaiah and common to both his volumes (Isaiah 1:11; Isaiah 1:18; Isaiah 33:10; Isaiah 41:21; Isaiah 66:9).