Read & explore together
Here Is My Servant
Isaiah 42:1–9 presents Yahweh’s servant in calm, weighty language. The passage describes who the servant is, how he works, what Yahweh gives him to do, and why Yahweh’s own name and word matter here.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In these verses, Yahweh first speaks about his servant and then speaks directly to him. The servant is chosen, upheld and given God’s Spirit to bring justice. Yahweh also identifies himself as Creator, says he has called and kept the servant, and declares new things before they appear.
Isaiah 42:1–9Main takeaway
This passage teaches that Yahweh’s chosen servant will faithfully bring justice in a gentle manner, under Yahweh’s call and for Yahweh’s glory.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The servant Yahweh delights inThe passage begins with Yahweh drawing attention to "my servant". He is upheld by God, chosen by God, and one in whom God delights.
Explanation
The passage begins with Yahweh drawing attention to "my servant". He is upheld by God, chosen by God, and one in whom God delights. Yahweh has put his Spirit on him. From the first verse, the servant’s work is named clearly: he will bring justice to the nations.
02Quiet and gentle, yet faithfulThe servant is not described as loud or attention-seeking. He will not shout or raise his voice in the street.
Explanation
The servant is not described as loud or attention-seeking. He will not shout or raise his voice in the street. The images of a bruised reed and a dimly burning wick suggest something damaged or fading. The servant does not crush or snuff out such things. He faithfully brings justice.
03He will not fail in setting justiceVerse 4 adds endurance to the earlier picture of gentleness. The servant "will not fail nor be discouraged" until he has set justice on the earth.
Explanation
Verse 4 adds endurance to the earlier picture of gentleness. The servant "will not fail nor be discouraged" until he has set justice on the earth. The passage also says that the islands wait for his law, showing that his work is not limited to one small place.
04Yahweh calls him and declares new thingsYahweh speaks as the Creator who gives breath and spirit. He calls the servant in righteousness, holds his hand, and makes him a covenant for the people and a light for the nations.
Explanation
Yahweh speaks as the Creator who gives breath and spirit. He calls the servant in righteousness, holds his hand, and makes him a covenant for the people and a light for the nations. His work includes opening blind eyes and freeing prisoners. Yahweh alone keeps his glory, rejects engraved images, and declares new things beforehand.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What descriptions of the servant come before his task is explained?
Start with the words Yahweh uses about him in verse 1 before focusing on the work of bringing justice.
02How does the passage combine gentleness with determination?
Compare the quiet, careful actions in verses 2–3 with the statement that he will not fail or be discouraged in verse 4.
03What does Yahweh say about himself while explaining the servant’s calling?
Notice Yahweh as Creator, the one who calls and keeps the servant, who will not share his glory, and who declares new things.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Isaiah 42:1–9
1“Behold, my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights: I have put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations.
2He will not shout, nor raise his voice, nor cause it to be heard in the street.
3He won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a dimly burning wick. He will faithfully bring justice.
4He will not fail nor be discouraged, until he has set justice on the earth, and the islands wait for his law.”
5God Yahweh, he who created the heavens and stretched them out, he who spread out the earth and that which comes out of it, he who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk in it, says:
6“I, Yahweh, have called you in righteousness. I will hold your hand. I will keep you, and make you a covenant for the people, as a light for the nations,
7to open the blind eyes, to bring the prisoners out of the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness out of the prison.
8“I am Yahweh. That is my name. I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to engraved images.
9Behold, the former things have happened and I declare new things. I tell you about them before they come up.”