Isaiah 62 · a question people ask
"For Zion’s sake I will not hold my peace" (62:1). Who is speaking?
The verse doesn't say. It speaks of Zion and Jerusalem as her: "until her righteousness shines out like the dawn" (62:1). From 62:2 the words speak to her: "You will be called by a new name, which the LORD’s mouth will name" (62:2), and "You will also be a crown of beauty in the LORD’s hand" (62:3). 62:6 also has an I, and doesn't name who says it: "I have set watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem" (62:6). The WEB prints no quotation marks in 62:1-7; the first come with the LORD's oath, "Surely I will no more give your grain to be food for your enemies" (62:8). And the chapter says who proclaims the words of 62:11: "Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the earth" (62:11). The chapter doesn't name the one who says "I will not hold my peace" (62:1), and these notes don't either.
The verses
“For Zion’s sake I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning lamp. The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. You will be called by a new name, which the LORD’s mouth will name. You will also be a crown of beauty in the LORD’s hand, and a royal diadem in your God’s hand.”
“I have set watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem. They will never be silent day nor night. You who call on the LORD, take no rest,”
“The LORD has sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, “Surely I will no more give your grain to be food for your enemies, and foreigners will not drink your new wine, for which you have labored,”
“Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the earth: “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your salvation comes! Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him!’””