4 Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord-with the first of them and with the last-I am he."
4 Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am he.
4 Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am he.
4 "Who did this? Who made it happen? Who always gets things started? I did. God. I'm first on the scene. I'm also the last to leave.
4 Who has performed and done it, Calling the generations from the beginning? ' I, the Lord, am the first; And with the last I am He.' "
4 Who has done such mighty deeds, summoning each new generation from the beginning of time? It is I, the Lord, the First and the Last. I alone am he."
12 "Listen to me, Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am the first and I am the last.
12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.
12 "Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called! I am he; I am the first, and I am the last.
12 "Listen, Jacob. Listen, Israel - I'm the One who named you! I'm the One. I got things started and, yes, I'll wrap them up.
12 "Listen to Me, O Jacob, And Israel, My called: I am He, I am the First, I am also the Last.
12 "Listen to me, OÂ family of Jacob, Israel my chosen one! I alone am God, the First and the Last.
(Read Isaiah 48:9-15)
We have nothing ourselves to plead with God, why he should have mercy upon us. It is for his praise, to the honour of his mercy, to spare. His bringing men into trouble was to do them good. It was to refine them, but not as silver; not so thoroughly as men refine silver. If God should take that course, they are all dross, and, as such, might justly be put away. He takes them as refined in part only. Many have been brought home to God as chosen vessels, and a good work of grace begun in them, in the furnace of affliction. It is comfort to God's people, that God will secure his own honour, therefore work deliverance for them. And if God delivers his people, he cannot be at a loss for instruments to be employed. God has formed a plan, in which, for his own sake, and the glory of his grace, he saves all that come to Him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 41:4
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.