Catholic Commentary on Isaiah 50

“The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.” (Isaiah 50:4)

The Third Servant Song

The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away. I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near.

The Catechism identifies the Third Servant Song as the most explicitly prophetic description of Christ's passion, the back beaten, the beard pulled, the face not hidden from spitting (CCC 601).

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, he wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. Before the Servant speaks the word that sustains the weary, he is wakened and instructed. The word that helps others comes from the ear that listens first. Be wakened. Listen. Then speak the word that sustains the weary.

Prayer

Lord God, waken our ears morning by morning to listen like one being instructed. Give us well-instructed tongues that speak the word that sustains the weary. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

50
Israel’s Sin
1 This is what the LORD says:
 
“Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce
with which I sent her away?
Or to which of My creditors
did I sell you?
Look, you were sold for your iniquities,
and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.
2 Why was no one there when I arrived?
Why did no one answer when I called?
Is My hand too short to redeem you?
Or do I lack the strength to deliver you?
Behold, My rebuke dries up the sea;
I turn the rivers into a desert;
the fish rot for lack of water
and die of thirst.
3 I clothe the heavens in black
and make sackcloth their covering.”
The Servant’s Obedience
(Matthew 27:27-31; Mark 15:16-20; Luke 22:63-65; John 19:1-15)
 
4 The Lord GOD has given Me
the tongue of discipleship,
to sustain the weary with a word.
He awakens Me morning by morning;
He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.
5 The Lord GOD has opened My ears,
and I have not been rebellious,
nor have I turned back.
6 I offered My back to those who struck Me,
and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard.
I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle.
7 Because the Lord GOD helps Me,
I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set My face like flint,
and I know that I will not be put to shame.
8 The One who vindicates Me is near.
Who will dare to contend with Me?
Let us confront each other!
Who has a case against Me?
Let him approach Me!
9 Surely the Lord GOD helps Me.
Who is there to condemn Me?
See, they will all wear out like a garment;
the moths will devour them.
 
10 Who among you fears the LORD
and obeys the voice of His Servant?
Who among you walks in darkness
and has no light?
Let him trust in the name of the LORD;
let him lean on his God.
11 Behold, all you who kindle a fire,
who array yourselves with firebrands,
walk in the light of your fire
and of the firebrands you have lit!
This is what you will receive from My hand:
You will lie down in a place of torment.

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