351 They joy from the wilderness and dry place, And rejoice doth the desert, and flourish as the rose, 2 Flourishing it doth flourish, and rejoice, Yea, 'with' joy and singing, The honour of Lebanon hath been given to it, The beauty of Carmel and Sharon, They—they see the honour of Jehovah, The majesty of our God. 3 Strengthen ye the feeble hands, Yea, the stumbling knees strengthen. 4 Say to the hastened of heart, 'Be strong, Fear not, lo, your God; vengeance cometh, The recompence of God, He Himself doth come and save you.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 35:1-4
Commentary on Isaiah 35:1-4
(Read Isaiah 35:1-4)
Judea was prosperous in the days of Hezekiah, but the kingdom of Christ is the great subject intended. Converting grace makes the soul that was a wilderness, to rejoice with joy and singing, and to blossom abundantly. The feeble and faint-hearted are encouraged. This is the design of the gospel. Fear is weakening; the more we strive against it, the stronger we are, both for doing and suffering; and he that says to us, Be strong, has laid help for us upon One who is mighty. Assurance is given of the approach of Messiah, to take vengeance on the powers of darkness, to recompense with abundant comforts those that mourn in Zion; He will come and save. He will come again at the end of time, to punish those who have troubled his people; and to give those who were troubled such rest as will be a full reward for all their troubles.