Charles Ellicott Commentary Isaiah 49:7

"Thus saith Jehovah, the Redeemer of Israel, [and] his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall worship; because of Jehovah that is faithful, [even] the Holy One of Israel, who hath chosen thee." — Isaiah 49:7 (ASV)

To him whom man despiseth. —Literally, to one despised of soul, where “soul” may either stand for “men” as in the Authorized Version, or imply that the contempt enters into the soul of the sufferer. (Compare to Psalms 105:18.) The point of the words lies in the fact that the doer of the great work is to be despised by the world’s judgment or by his own people, by proud rulers (compare to 1 Corinthians 1:27); and yet he, and no other, will accomplish it.