Aa
The Ransomed Return to Zion
1The wilderness and the dry land will be glad;
the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose. Or meadow saffron Not the modern flower but a common wildflower in northern Israel Ps 65:12; Is 6:11; 7:21-25; 27:10; 32:15; 41:18-19; 51:3; 55:12-13
2It will blossom abundantly
and will also rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. Sg 2:1; 5:15; 7:5; Is 33:9
They will see the glory of the Lord, Ex 16:7,10; Lv 9:6,23; Nm 29:6; Is 40:5; Ezk 1:28; 3:23
the splendor of our God. Ps 45:3-4; 96:6; 104:1; 145:5,12; Is 2:10,19,21; 53:2; 63:1; Ezk 16:14
3Strengthen the weak hands,
steady the shaking knees! Heb 12:12
4Say to the cowardly:
“Be strong; do not fear!
Here is your God; vengeance is coming. Is 1:24; 34:8; 47:3; 59:17; 61:2; 63:4
God’s retribution is coming; He will save you.” Is 33:22
5Then the eyes of the blind will be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Is 29:18; 32:3-4; 42:7,16,18; 50:4; Mt 11:5; Lk 7:22; Jn 9:6-7
6Then the lame will leap like a deer, Zph 3:19; Mt 11:5; 15:30-31; 21:14; Ac 3:1-8; 8:7; 14:8-10
and the tongue of the mute will sing for joy, Ex 4:11; Mk 7:32; 9:25
for water will gush in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert; Is 41:18; 43:19; Jn 7:38-39
7the parched ground will become a pool of water,
and the thirsty land springs of water. Is 49:10
In the haunt of jackals, Is 13:22; 34:13 in their lairs,
there will be grass, reeds, and papyrus.
8A road will be there and a way; Is 40:3; 42:16; 43:16,19; 49:11; 51:10; 57:14; 62:10
it will be called the Holy Way. Is 4:3; 52:1; Mt 7:13-14; 1Pt 1:15-16
The unclean will not travel on it, Is 52:1; Rv 21:27
but it will be for the one who walks the path. Ps 139:24; Is 2:3; 8:11; 30:21; 42:24; 48:17; 58:13
Even the fool will not go astray.
9There will be no lion there,
and no vicious beast will go up on it;
they will not be found there.
But the redeemed will walk on it,
10and the redeemed of the Lord will return Is 51:11
and come to Zion with singing,
crowned with unending joy.
Joy and gladness will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee. Is 65:19; Rm 9:2; Rv 21:4