Charles Spurgeon Commentary Isaiah 61:3

"to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that he may be glorified." — Isaiah 61:3 (ASV)

to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

This message is spoken to all the Lord's people; but it has a special reference to the Jews, God's ancient people. Happy times are coming for them in the years that yet lie in the future, when they accept the Messiah whom they have so long rejected.

To appoint to those who mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty –

Or, "a coronet" –

For ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

When Jesus comes, he brings all things with him, for he is all things to his people, and they find their all in him. There is no sorrow at his coming to those who receive him; it is gladness, gladness repeated, and gladness multiplied. Not only does joy come in one form, but in many, as the verses of this chapter so sweetly remind us. And that which comes is permanent, making those who receive it like long-standing trees, for they shall outlive their sorrows and prove that they were planted by God for his own glory.

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,

To make an appointment – an ordinance – a decree – concerning them; and it will be to this effect.

To give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

So it seems that God finds glory in the helping of his sad, sick, sorrowful creatures. He gets glory out of making them: he gets higher glory out of making them new. Creation yields the moonlight glory; the new creation is a glory as of the sun shining in its strength. O you mourners, may God grant you grace now to give glory to God by cheerfully accepting those wondrous blessings of grace which Christ has come to bestow.