Thomas Aquinas Commentary Isaiah 62

For Zion’s sake. Here he promises the honor of glory to the people.

First, the prophet's petition is set forth.

Second, the promise of the Lord: the Lord has sworn (Isaiah 62:8).

Concerning the first part, he does two things:

First, he himself asks.

Second, he leads others to ask: you that are mindful of the Lord (Isaiah 62:6).

Concerning the first point, he does two things.

First, he asks for the birth of a savior: for Zion’s sake—that is, for her advantage or for love of her—I will not hold my peace from prayers before God. He identifies her savior as Cyrus, and as brightness refers to the glory of his kingdom.

Mystically, I will not hold my peace refers to preaching Christ despite opposition. Zion represents the king, and Jerusalem the priests. Her savior is Christ: his face as the appearance of lightning (Daniel 10:6).

Second, he shows the fruit of the Savior's coming.

First, regarding the glory of the city, he promises this glory in three ways.

In the dignity of the king: and the Gentiles shall see—admiring and revering—your just one, who is Christ or Cyrus. As it is written, all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God (Psalms 98:3).

In the newness of its name: and you shall be called by a new name. This follows the custom of the ancients, who gave new names based on new events; he will pronounce this name later. Mystically, this refers to the Church, which was formerly the Synagogue: I will give him a white counter: and in the counter, a new name (Revelation 2:17).

In the defense of divine protection: and you shall be a crown of glory, because your God will glory in you, as a king glories in his crown. In the hand of the Lord means in His protection: they shall receive a kingdom of glory, and a crown of beauty at the hand of the Lord . Mystically, the Church is like a crown with which the Father crowns the Son of God.

He also excludes disgrace, and in doing so, pronounces another new name: you shall no more be called Forsaken, referencing the taunt, because they say of you (Ezekiel 36:13).

Second, regarding the joy of the city's inhabitants, he speaks of boys: for the young man shall dwell with the virgin; of grown men: and your sons shall dwell in you; and of married men: and the bridegroom shall rejoice over the bride. This recalls the promise, there shall be heard again in this place (Jeremiah 33:10).

Mystically, the young man shall dwell with the virgin refers to living chastely, as Mary dwelled with Joseph. The bridegroom is Christ, and the bride is the Church.

Third, regarding the diligent guarding of the city’s buildings, which is expressed in Nehemiah 4:17 where with one hand they built and with the other they fought. The text says, Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen all the day, and all the night, they shall never hold their peace. This is spoken in the likeness of watchmen who guard a city. Metaphorically, it indicates the diligence of the princes who governed the people, or of preachers in the Church, of whom it is said: and they rested not day and night, saying: holy, holy, holy (Revelation 4:8).

You that are mindful of the Lord. Here he leads others to make a similar petition: hold not your peace from prayer, and give him—that is, God—no silence. This is like the command to always rejoice. Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

The Lord has sworn by his right hand. Here the Lord promises to fulfill the petition.

First, regarding driving back their enemies: The word if implies the condition, "if you do not trust in me." Thus, I will give your corn to be meat for your enemies. This is like the one who tills his ground (Proverbs 28:19) but does not eat its fruit.

Second, regarding the liberation of captives. On preparing the way: go through refers to the messengers of Cyrus and Darius. Pick out the stones means to remove impediments, as in take the stones out of the way (Jeremiah 50:26). Alternatively, this refers to the watchmen of the walls: the preachers. On the granting of joy: lift up the sign refers to the decree of Cyrus allowing all captives to return, or it is the sign of the cross, as stated above: he shall set up a signDR: “standard.” unto the nations (Isaiah 11:12). On the retribution of justice: tell the daughter of Zion—the people of the Jews—behold your Savior, who is God, or Cyrus. Behold his reward is with him, meaning He will repay you with good and your enemies with evil. Mystically, this refers to the coming of Christ to judge, as was also stated above in Isaiah 40:9–10.

Third, where it says, and they shall call them, he sets forth the honor of the liberated people, who gained a great reputation for holiness because of the benefits given to them, as stated above: after this you shall be called the city of the just, a faithful city (Isaiah 1:26). Mystically, this refers to the Church and the Christian people.

Note on the words, for Zion’s sake I will not hold my peace (Isaiah 62:1), that the saints do not hold their peace for four reasons:

1. First, because of the inflamed desire within them: there came in my heart the word of the LordVg. omits “the word of the Lord.” as a burning fire (Jeremiah 20:9).
2. Second, because of the evident truth before them: for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen (Acts 4:20).
3. Third, because of the office entrusted to them: for a necessity lies upon me. For woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16).
4. Fourth, because of the expected reward: in doing good, let us not fail. For in due time we shall reap, not failing (Galatians 6:9).

Note also on the words, till her just one come forth as brightness (Isaiah 62:1), that Christ shines in four ways:

1. First, in the image of the Father: being the brightness of his glory and the figure of his substance (Hebrews 1:3).
2. Second, in the light of the saints: in the brightness of the saints: from the womb before the day star I begot you (Psalms 110:3).
3. Third, in the fullness of glory: his face did shine as the sun (Matthew 17:2).
4. Fourth, in the righteousness of His doctrine, as stated above: the Gentiles shall walk in your light, and kings in the brightness of your rising (Isaiah 60:3).