3. Zion is reassured (62:1-12)

The note of reassurance struck in ch. 61 continues here. The prophet continues to speak with heightened urgency. He will not be silent until the glorious vision comes to pass.

An interesting play on names occurs in v.4. Deserted and Desolate will be changed to Delight (Hephzibah) and Married (Beulah). In v.5 “sons” should be changed to “builder” as suggested by the context and requires only a slight emendation (cf. Ps 147:2).

The prophet calls the people to persist with God until he establishes Jerusalem in her glory (v.7). Never again will enemies conquer them (vv.8-9). Drawing on earlier images (40:3) of the call to return from exile, the prophet now tells the people to enter the city. The vision of 52:7-10 is now about to be fulfilled. One of the things the prophet likes to do to illustrate the New Day is to give new names (cf. v.12; also 60:14, 18 and vv.2 and 4 of this chapter).