For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace. In the past God has kept silence (Isaiah 42:14; Isaiah 57:11). "The Servant" has not caused his voice to be heard. Babylon has been allowed to continue her oppression unchecked.
But now there will be a change. God will lift up his voice, and the nations will hear; and the "salvation" of Israel will be effected speedily. For Jerusalem's sake. "Zion" and "Jerusalem" are used throughout as synonyms (Isaiah 2:3; Isaiah 4:3, Isaiah 4:4; Isaiah 31:4, Isaiah 31:5, and Isaiah 31:9; Isaiah 33:20; Isaiah 40:9; Isaiah 41:27; Isaiah 52:1; Isaiah 64:10, etc.
), like "Israel" and Jacob." Strictly speaking, "Zion" is the mountain, "Jerusalem" the city built upon it. Until the righteousness thereof go forth (comp. Isaiah 54:17; Isaiah 61:10, Isaiah 61:11). As brightness; or, as the dawn (comp Isaiah 60:3; Proverbs 4:18; Daniel 6:19).
Salvation … as a lamp that burneth; rather, as a torch that blazeth (comp. 15:4; Nahum 2:1-13:14; Zechariah 12:6). Israel's "salvation'' would be made manifest; primarily by her triumphant return from Babylon, and more completely by her position in the final kingdom of the Redeemer.