📖 Isaiah — Chapter 42 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Isaiah 42:1 Behold Rmy servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
Isaiah 42:2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
Isaiah 42:3 A Rbruised reed shall he not break, and the Tsmoking flax shall he not Tquench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
Isaiah 42:4 He Rshall not fail nor be Tdiscouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
Isaiah 42:5 Thus saith God the LORD, Rhe that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
Isaiah 42:6 I the LORD have Rcalled thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
Isaiah 42:7 To Ropen the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD: Rthat is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
Isaiah 42:9 Behold, Rthe former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
Isaiah 42:10 RSing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and Tall that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.
Isaiah 42:11 RLet the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.
Isaiah 42:12 Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.
Isaiah 42:13 The LORD shall go forth Ras a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall Tprevail against his enemies.
Isaiah 42:14 I have Rlong time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and Tdevour at once.
Isaiah 42:15 I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.
Isaiah 42:16 And RI will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things Tstraight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
Isaiah 42:17 They shall be turned back, they shall Rbe greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.
Isaiah 42:18 Hear, Rye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.
Isaiah 42:19 Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD’s servant?
Isaiah 42:20 RSeeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.
Isaiah 42:21 The LORD is Rwell pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make Tit honourable.
Isaiah 42:22 But this is Ra people robbed and spoiled; Tthey are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; Tfor a spoil, and none saith, Restore.
Isaiah 42:23 Who among you Rwill give ear to this? who will hearken and hear Tfor the time to come?
Isaiah 42:24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.
Isaiah 42:25 Therefore Rhe hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Isaiah 42:1–9 — A servant bringing justice gently
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
God’s Spirit rests on the servant who brings judgment to the nations without crushing the bruised reed. The Creator calls him to open blind eyes and free prisoners.
Key Truth: Join justice with patient care for the wounded.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Behold my ____ , whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul …” (Isaiah 42:1)
Find it in Isaiah 42:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and ____ to them that walk therein:” (Isaiah 42:5)
Find it in Isaiah 42:5 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ , the former things are come to pass, and new …” (Isaiah 42:9)
Find it in Isaiah 42:9 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Isaiah 42:10–17 — A new song and a new way
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Praise reaches seas, deserts, and mountains as the Lord acts. He leads the blind along unfamiliar paths while those trusting graven images meet shame.
Key Truth: Praise God and follow his light.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “____ unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from …” (Isaiah 42:10)
Find it in Isaiah 42:10 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “I have long time holden my ____ ; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will …” (Isaiah 42:14)
Find it in Isaiah 42:14 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “They shall be ____ back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven …” (Isaiah 42:17)
Find it in Isaiah 42:17 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Isaiah 42:18–25 — A deaf and blind people called to hear
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The address turns to the servant people’s failure to see and obey. Plunder and burning expose the consequences of sin that they have not taken to heart.
Key Truth: Listen to correction rather than overlooking it.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “____ , ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may …” (Isaiah 42:18)
Find it in Isaiah 42:18 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “But this is a ____ robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in …” (Isaiah 42:22)
Find it in Isaiah 42:22 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his ____ , and the strength of battle: and it hath set …” (Isaiah 42:25)
Find it in Isaiah 42:25 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Matthew 12:20 — Matthew applies the bruised-reed promise to Jesus.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How can you pursue what is right without crushing someone already bruised?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What mission is assigned to the upheld servant?
2. How does the servant treat the bruised reed and smoking flax?
3. What liberation is pictured in the mission?
4. How far does the call to a new song extend?
5. What contrast should readers notice about the servant language?
Notes
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