8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
8 "But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend,
8 But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend;
8 "But you, Israel, are my servant. You're Jacob, my first choice, descendants of my good friend Abraham.
8 "But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend.
8 "But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend,
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 41:8
Commentary on Isaiah 41:1-9
(Read Isaiah 41:1-9)
Can any heathen god raise up one in righteousness, make what use of him he pleases, and make him victorious over the nations? The Lord did so with Abraham, or rather, he would do so with Cyrus. Sinners encourage one another in the ways of sin; shall not the servants of the living God stir up one another in his service? God's people are the seed of Abraham his friend. This is certainly the highest title ever given to a mortal. It means that Abraham, by Divine grace, was made like to God, and that he was admitted to communion with Him. Happy are the servants of the Lord, whom he has called to be his friends, and to walk with him in faith and holy obedience. Let not such as have thus been favoured yield to fear; for the contest may be sharp, but the victory shall be sure.