This is the chapter Jesus applied to Himself in Luke 4 when He was invited to read God’s Word in the synagogue at Nazareth.  His obedience to God in His suffering and death qualified Him to be clothed with the Holy Spirit to change the lives of His people.  He came to them as the great liberator, bringing in God’s eternal jubilee of deliverance from every form of bondage and the restoration of all that they had lost through their enslavement to sin.

ISAIAH 61:1-11

I have tidings for my people —

Those in darkness and defeat;

God has clothed me with His Spirit —

Saving work is now complete.

I bring good news to the suff’ring,

To the prisoner and the poor;

Days of poverty are over;

Captives you shall be no more.

Prison doors have swung wide open;

Blinded eyes will see again.

Healing for the lame and broken —

There’s an end to all their pain.

God has sent me to the grieving:

Now ‘tis time to dance and sing.

Jubilee has burst upon them;

Enemies are scattering.

Take this message to my people,

Those who mourn in Israel,

Beauty He will give for ashes,

Sorrow turned to joy as well.

Heaviness has gone forever;

Praise will well up in its place,

For my people have been pardoned;

Gone their shame and their disgrace.

Planted once more in His garden,

Rooted in His love secure,

They will show the world His splendour

For His promises are sure.

They will rebuild ancient ruins —

Cities long ago destroyed

Once again will ring with laughter;

Joy shall fill the empty void.

Foreigners will be your servants,

Feeding flock and ploughing field;

They’ll no longer be your masters;

Now to you they’ll have to yield.

Priests of God will be your title,

Ministers who worship Him.

You’ll receive the nations’ treasures,

Wealth and riches giv’n by them.

Shame, dishonour now forgotten,

No more grinding poverty,

God will give the double portion —

Every year is Jubilee!

I, the Lord, delight in justice;

Robbery and wrong I hate;

Suffering will be rewarded,

Joy and peace to those who wait.

Once again I’ll call my people

To a lasting covenant;

Their descendants will be honoured;

They will always be content.

Let me share my gladness with you,

God has given happiness;

He has clothed me with salvation,

Robed me with His righteous dress.

Like a bridegroom dressed and ready

In his splendid wedding suit,

Like a bride with gems resplendent,

I am clothed from head to foot.

God will show His awesome justice

To the nations of the earth.

Praise will rise and swell around Him —

Every man will sing His worth.

Like a garden in the springtime,

Young plants growing everywhere,

So God’s righteousness will blossom,

Wrapping all in loving care.