Isaiah – Chapter 62

Old Testament12 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 62 of Isaiah begins: "For Sion's sake I will not hold my peace, and for the sake of Jerusalem, I will not rest till her just one come forth as brightness, and…" Across its 12 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and family and covenant relationships. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1For Sion's sake I will not hold my peace, and for the sake of Jerusalem, I will not rest till her just one come forth as brightness, and her saviour be lighted as a lamp.

2And the Gentiles shall see thy just one, and all kings thy glorious one: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name.

3And thou shalt be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.

4Thou shalt no more be called Forsaken: and thy land shall no more be called Desolate: but thou shalt be called My pleasure in her, and thy land inhabited. Because the Lord hath been well pleased with thee: and thy land shall be inhabited.

5For the young man shall dwell with the virgin, and thy children shall dwell in thee. And the bridegroom shall rejoice over the bride, and thy God shall rejoice over thee.

6Upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen all the day, and all the night, they shall never hold their peace. You that are mindful of the Lord, hold not your peace,

7And give him no silence till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

8The Lord hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength: Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thy enemies: and the sons of the strangers shall not drink thy wine, for which thou hast laboured.

9For they that gather it, shall eat it, and shall praise the Lord: and they that bring it together, shall drink it in my holy courts.

10Go through, go through the gates, prepare the way for the people, make the road plain, pick out the stones, and lift up the standard to the people.

11Behold the Lord hath made it to be heard in the ends of the earth, tell the daughter of Sion: Behold thy Saviour cometh: behold his reward is with him, and his work before him.

12And they shall call them, The holy people, the redeemed of the Lord. But thou shalt be called: A city sought after, and not forsaken.

Important Verses in Isaiah 62

For Sion's sake I will not hold my peace, and for the sake of Jerusalem, I will not rest till her just one come forth as brightness, and her saviour be lighted as a lamp.

Isaiah 62:1

Upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen all the day, and all the night, they shall never hold their peace. You that are mindful of the Lord, hold not your peace,

Isaiah 62:6

For they that gather it, shall eat it, and shall praise the Lord: and they that bring it together, shall drink it in my holy courts.

Isaiah 62:9

And they shall call them, The holy people, the redeemed of the Lord. But thou shalt be called: A city sought after, and not forsaken.

Isaiah 62:12

Historical Context

Isaiah addresses judah in crisis, the exiles in Babylon, and all who await the Messiah within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 62 of 66 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a legal and cultic instruction given to Israel regarding worship, holiness, and daily life with 12 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The passage starts with these words: "For Sion's sake I will not hold my peace, and for the sake of Jerusalem, I will not rest till her just one come forth…" The chapter ends with: "And they shall call them, The holy people, the redeemed of the Lord. But thou shalt be called: A city sought after, and…" In terms of historical background, Isaiah prophesied in Jerusalem during the Assyrian crisis, calling kings to trust God rather than alliances. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Isaiah around Isaiah's ministry about 740-700 BC; the book's later chapters address the exile and return (6th century BC).

Who Wrote It

The prophet Isaiah of Jerusalem; chapters 40-66 continue his message through inspired disciples

When It Was Written

Isaiah's ministry about 740-700 BC; the book's later chapters address the exile and return (6th century BC)

Catholic Commentary

This chapter presents divine statutes and cultic norms that shaped Israel's worship and moral life. A pivotal line is verse 1: "For Sion's sake I will not hold my peace, and for the sake of Jerusalem, I will not rest till her just one come forth as brightness, and her saviour be lighted…" The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 2772). Here, Isaiah's prophecies are fulfilled in Christ, especially the Suffering Servant (CIC 601). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize worship and praise as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.

Reflection for Today

Isaiah Chapter 62, containing 12 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 436). Here the emphasis falls on courage in witness to the Gospel, which shapes how the Church understands judgment, comfort, and messianic hope.

As you continue through Isaiah, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Isaiah Chapter 62 about?

Isaiah 62 contains 12 verses. It opens with "For Sion's sake I will not hold my peace, and for the sake of Jerusalem, I will not rest till her just one come forth…" and closes with "And they shall call them, The holy people, the redeemed of the Lord. But thou shalt be called: A city sought after, and…". The book as a whole is prophetic oracles and poetry.

What is a key verse in Isaiah 62?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "For Sion's sake I will not hold my peace, and for the sake of Jerusalem, I will not rest till her just one come forth as brightness, and her saviour be lighted as a lamp." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Isaiah and when?

The prophet Isaiah of Jerusalem; chapters 40-66 continue his message through inspired disciples. Isaiah's ministry about 740-700 BC; the book's later chapters address the exile and return (6th century BC).

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