Matthew Henry Commentary Isaiah 51:9-16

"Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of Jehovah; awake, as in the days of old, the generations of ancient times. Is it not thou that didst cut Rahab in pieces, that didst pierce the monster? Is it not thou that driedst up the sea, the waters of the great deep; that madest the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over? And the ransomed of Jehovah shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy; [and] sorrow and sighing shall flee away. I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou art afraid of man that shall die, and of the son of man that shall be made as grass; and hast forgotten Jehovah thy Maker, that stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and fearest continually all the day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he maketh ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor? The captive exile shall speedily be loosed; and he shall not die [and go down] into the pit, neither shall his bread fail. For I am Jehovah thy God, who stirreth up the sea, so that the waves thereof roar: Jehovah of hosts is his name. And I have put my words in thy mouth, and have covered thee in the shadow of my hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people." — Isaiah 51:9-16 (ASV)

The people whom Christ has redeemed with His blood, as well as by His power, will obtain joyful deliverance from every enemy. He who designs such joy for us ultimately, will He not work such deliverance in the meantime, as our needs require?

In this world of changes, it is a short step from joy to sorrow, but in that world, sorrow will never come into view.

They prayed for the display of God's power; He answers them with the consolations of His grace. If we dreaded to sin against God, we would not fear the frowns of men. Happy is the man who fears God always.

And Christ's church will enjoy security by the power and providence of the Almighty.