John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 52:8

"The voice of thy watchmen! they lift up the voice, together do they sing; for they shall see eye to eye, when Jehovah returneth to Zion." — Isaiah 52:8 (ASV)

The voice of your watchmen. He continues his argument, for he shows that there will be such a restoration of the people that the messengers will venture boldly to proclaim it. To lift up the voice has the same meaning as the phrase on the mountains, which he previously used (Isaiah 52:7). The matter will not be hidden, but so clear and evident as to elicit universal admiration. Those who speak of a doubtful matter mutter inaudibly and do not venture to lift up the voice; but here there will be nothing doubtful or uncertain.

The Prophet borrowed the metaphor from sentries commonly placed in cities, though the designation of “watchmen” is usually given to all Prophets, because they are placed, as it were, on watchtowers to watch over the safety of the people. When he says that they will lift up the voice, he means that there will be silence during the captivity, because the voice of the Prophets will not be heard; for although they warn everyone privately, there will be no freedom of speech. Hence also Jeremiah says, I will put my mouth in the dust (Lamentations 3:29). But when the Lord is pleased to lead out the people, the mouths of watchmen, who were previously silent, will be opened to proclaim that they are free to return; for they will not speak within private walls or impart moderate consolation, but will openly proclaim that salvation. On this subject I have spoken fully at the beginning of the fortieth chapter.

Eye to eye; that is, openly. This extends, indeed, to spiritual conversion, but let us not on that account depart from the literal sense, and thereby also fail to include the benefit that the Lord conferred on the ancient people; for when he restored the Jews to liberty and employed the ministry of Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, these things were fulfilled. Yet at the same time, these fulfillments ought to be understood as extending down to the coming of Christ, through which the Church was gathered from all parts of the world. But we ought also to look forward to Christ’s final coming, through which all things will be perfectly restored.