Isaiah 42:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Therefore, Jesus Christ declared, 'But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such to worship Him' (John 4:23-24). He does not require anything from us; He does not depend on our praises nor does He need the adoration of celestial beings; even before creation, He was in need of nothing. We recognize that the angels ceaselessly proclaim, 'Holy, Holy, Holy' (Isaiah 6:3), and others cry out, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace' (Luke 2:14); the cherubim declare with great voices, 'The glory of the Lord is abundant in its place' (cf. 1 Chronicles 16:27). We hear an abundance of praises and hymns: 'Bless the Lord, all His angels and archangels' (Psalm 102:20). Yet, He is not dependent on any of these offerings. Do you wish to witness the kingdom of God? Lift your gaze to the heavens, where multitudes of angels dwell; you will see countless archangels, seraphim before you, and cherubim encircling His radiant throne, all existing in reverence and awe. However, here on earth, God’s supremacy is not revealed in this manner, not only due to human frailty or the vast distinction between humanity and angels but also because humankind cannot glorify Him in the same way those wondrous beings do. When a king appears, those in fear are overtaken by his presence; how much greater then must be the reverence afforded before the ultimate majesty. Just as one who approaches a royal court witnesses death and threats near the king, so too do the angelic powers serve in reverence. Moreover, there are numerous distractions preventing earthly inhabitants from such service. In contrast, the heavenly host perpetually glorifies God and gazes upon Him, as affirmed in Scripture, 'See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father who is in heaven' (Matthew 18:10). Even Christ was ministered to by angels: 'Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him' (Matthew 4:11). Do not think that He solely experienced rebuke and faced tribulations; remember His declaration, 'My kingdom is not of this world' (John 18:36). Nebuchadnezzar likewise proclaimed, 'How great are His signs, and how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation' (Daniel 3:100). The Gospel also states, 'Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven' (Matthew 6:9-10). Lift your voices to the Lord with a new song, and exalt Him from the ends of the earth, you who journey upon the seas and all who inhabit it, the islands and their dwellers. The heavenly beings honor and revere God far more than mortals do; the more they recognize His presence, the more they tremble. They possess no rebellion, disobedience, or defiance; they are strong fortresses, fulfilling His command (Psalm 102:20). Behold the magnitude of their reverence! Those who are not under correction experience intense fear. If the seraphim themselves do not dare to gaze upon Him, how can we presume to challenge Him? Just as visible rays of the sun compel us to shield our eyes, so too does contemplation of Christ invoke greater reverence. Observe His transfiguration on the mountain: His disciples were filled with fear and fell prostrate. Prophets have strayed from His will, yet angels have never faltered, for they are afraid of Him. Praise Him from the ends of the earth. With these words, all that dwells within the earth is called to devotion, as it is written, 'Their voice has gone out through all the earth' (Psalm 18:5). You who sail on the sea and all who dwell within it, the islands and their inhabitants. See: the sounding of proclamation has spread across the earth. But some may question, Are those who dwell in the depths of the earth deprived of such proclamation? For David states, 'They have seen the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep' (Psalm 106:24). This cannot be disputed; to them, God has granted immense understanding of divine knowledge, and they must be particularly vigilant in virtue, for the tumultuous sea may profoundly distress their souls, as they continuously witness the churning waves, looming death, and shadows surrounding them.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is bound by covenant with His generation in the flesh, that is, with the descendants of Israel, to whom God previously proclaimed through an ancient prophet, "The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant I made with their ancestors" (Jeremiah 31:31). The noble Moses, in a humble role, served as a minister of the shadow and the likeness, whereas Christ, as Son and Lord, became the originator of a new covenant. I call it new because He renews humanity to a life of holiness and through the teachings of the Gospel makes them pleasing to God and true worshippers; for, He states, "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). Thus, He is placed within the covenant of His people and as a light to the nations, to open the eyes of the blind and to free the captives.

Satan, the leader of sin, has obscured the hearts of the nations, leading to darkened thoughts and unreasonable hearts, claiming wisdom while exchanging the glory of the incorruptible God for images of corruptible man, birds, animals, and creeping things (Romans 1:21-23). However, the true light, Christ, has illuminated our way as the spiritual dawn and sun of righteousness. He has spread forth the rays of genuine divine knowledge, dispelling the darkness of deceit that enveloped those on earth and breaking the chains of sin. Hence, the prophetic word articulates that those who have historically served created things rather than the Creator, harboring darkness in their minds and drawn to worship the works of their hands, will be called through faith in Christ to know the true King and Lord. For those who have received forgiveness from God are encouraged to exalt Him, as it is written: "Sing a new song to the Lord; proclaim His salvation from day to day; declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples" (Psalm 96:2). A new song is fitting for a new creation; since if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Those descended from Israel, through the leadership of Moses, were liberated from the dominion of the Egyptians and released from laborious tasks. They were transported through the sea, fed with manna in the wilderness, quenched by water from the rock, crossed the Jordan without stumbling, and were brought into the promised land. However, our experience is even more profound and incomparable. We are not merely liberated from physical bondage but from spiritual slavery; we are freed not only from earthly pursuits but also from the corruption of the flesh. Our oppressor is not a physical tyrant but the evil one, Satan, who entices us into sin. We have crossed the tumult of this life, much like crossing a sea, escaping the vanity of its distractions. We have savored the heavenly bread, Christ, which sustains us spiritually, and we have drunk from the spiritual rock, relishing the refreshing springs of Christ. We have traversed the Jordan through holy baptism and entered into the promised land befitting the saints, a reminder from the Savior who said: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5).

Thus, it is fitting that with the new blessings there should arise a new song from His followers, not only within Judea but across all the earth, reaching every heavenly realm. Previously, God was acknowledged only in Judea, and His name was exalted solely in Israel; however, when we were called by Christ to the truth, both heaven and earth overflowed with His glory. The Psalmist did not declare that only the land would be filled with His glory (Psalm 71:19). Who are they that send forth praise from the ends of the earth and compose songs for Him? Who are the islands and those who dwell therein? This likely refers to the holy apostles, who preached Christ and the grace through Him not just in Judea but also ventured beyond the sea to present the Gospel to the Gentiles. They reached as far as Illyricum and beyond, ensuring that neither the remote islands nor their inhabitants were untouched by this sacred proclamation.

The prophetic words may also be understood in another way. The world or human life is often likened to a sea in the divine Scriptures, as noted in the Psalms: "This sea is vast and wide; there are creatures without number, both small and great" (Psalm 103:25). Our lives reflect the sea in their transience, characterized by their highs and lows amidst great confusion. The wise navigate this sea without becoming consumed by it, lifting themselves above worldly distractions. Those assisted by God and who remember His gifts through Christ are the ones who offer Him praise. The churches, likened to islands, are surrounded by this spiritual sea, welcoming those troubled by evil spirits, and together, they honor Christ, for when we refer to churches, we think of the faithful who worship within them. It is also important to recognize that communities in the midst of desolation, whether villages or cities, are also regarded as islands.

The message of the apostles shall be proclaimed throughout the world, their words reaching the furthest corners of creation (Psalm 18:5, 7). According to the Septuagint, let His name be glorified to the ends of the earth, that the name of Christ may be heralded among the nations worldwide. Those who shall sing this new song are identified by the following lines: those who plunge into the sea and navigate its waters, or all who fill the deep. For when Jesus observed His apostles by the Sea of Galilee mending their nets, He called them and commissioned them into the vast sea (Luke 5:2, 4), transforming them from fishermen of fish to fishers of men—those who proclaimed the Gospel from Jerusalem to Illyricum and Spain, swiftly capturing even the heart of the Roman Empire, or traversing the sea and facing the tempests and trials of this world. The term "islands" and their inhabitants may refer to the diverse nations or the multitude of churches.

As the Apostle teaches us, the grace of God that brings salvation has been revealed to all people, guiding us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, so that we may lead lives marked by wisdom, righteousness, and devotion in this present age while we await the blessed hope and the glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11-12). This New Song shines brightly among us, heralding the manifestation of the Word, who was from the beginning and prior to all beginnings.

This proclamation will not be limited to the land but will also encompass the seas and the islands where people dwell. Maritime journeys, previously dedicated solely to trade among far-off nations, will now serve as a means for spiritual connection; vessels will ferry not only merchants to distant lands but also heralds of the Gospel.