Isaiah 62:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And give {H5414} him no rest {H1824}, till he establish {H3559}, and till he make {H7760} Jerusalem {H3389} a praise {H8416} in the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and give him no rest till he restores Yerushalayim and makes it a praise on earth.

Berean Standard Bible

nor give Him any rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 62:7 stands as a compelling divine injunction, calling God's people to relentless and persistent intercession. It urges them to "give Him no rest" until Jerusalem is not only fully established in its physical and spiritual glory but also becomes a universal beacon of praise throughout the earth. This verse encapsulates the Lord's unwavering commitment to His covenant city and extends an profound invitation for His people to partner with Him through unceasing prayer, thereby participating in the fulfillment of His glorious prophetic purposes for Zion, culminating in its ultimate restoration and exaltation among the nations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 62:7 is strategically positioned within a powerful prophetic declaration (Isaiah 62:1-12) that pulsates with divine passion and unwavering promise for Zion's restoration and exaltation. The chapter commences with the Lord Himself expressing an intense, almost impatient, resolve: "For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch" [Isaiah 62:1](/isaiah/62-1 "Isaiah 62:1 - God's Unwavering Commitment to Zion"). This sets a profound precedent for divine restlessness concerning Jerusalem's destiny. Immediately preceding verse 7, God reveals the human component in this grand strategy by stating, "I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent" [Isaiah 62:6](/isaiah/62-6 "Isaiah 62:6 - The Watchmen on Jerusalem's Walls"). Verse 7 then directly addresses these appointed watchmen, and by extension all intercessors, instructing them to mirror God's own relentless pursuit of Jerusalem's destiny by giving Him "no rest" until His declared purposes are fully realized. This creates a profound and active synergy between divine resolve and human intercession, emphasizing a partnership in bringing about God's will.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies found in the latter half of Isaiah, particularly chapters 40-66, are primarily addressed to a post-exilic audience or anticipate the imminent return from Babylonian captivity. Jerusalem, as the spiritual and political nexus of Israel, had endured profound devastation, and its restoration was the paramount hope for the exiled and returning remnant. The concept of "watchmen" on city walls was not merely a spiritual metaphor but a literal and indispensable role in ancient Near Eastern urban centers. These individuals were responsible for maintaining vigilance against external threats, signaling danger, and announcing significant events like the approach of a messenger or the dawn of a new day. Spiritually, these watchmen represent intercessors who are spiritually alert, discerning God's purposes, and tirelessly praying for their fulfillment. The aspiration for Jerusalem to be made "a praise in the earth" reflects the deeply ingrained ancient understanding of Zion as the dwelling place of God, from which His glory, law, and salvation would ultimately extend to all nations, a vision powerfully articulated in passages such as [Isaiah 2:2-4](/isaiah/2-2 "Isaiah 2:2-4 - Jerusalem as the Center of Nations"). The profound cultural and theological significance of Jerusalem as the chosen city, the site of the Temple, and the epicenter of God's covenant with Israel undergirds the intense longing for its restoration and universal renown.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes both within the book of Isaiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it emphatically underscores the theme of **Persistent Intercession**, portraying prayer not as a passive or occasional request but as an active, relentless, and unceasing pursuit of God's declared will. The command to "give Him no rest" serves as a vivid and potent metaphor for fervent, importunate petition, echoing the New Testament emphasis on praying without ceasing, as seen in [1 Thessalonians 5:17](/1_thessalonians/5-17 "1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray Without Ceasing") and powerfully illustrated in the parable of the persistent widow in [Luke 18:1-8](/luke/18-1 "Luke 18:1-8 - The Parable of the Persistent Widow"). Secondly, it highlights **God's Unwavering Purpose for Jerusalem**, emphasizing His steadfast and immutable commitment to establish and glorify His covenant city. This divine intention is a recurring and central motif throughout prophetic literature, looking forward to a time when Jerusalem will truly shine as a global center of worship and a beacon of God's glory to all nations, as promised in [Isaiah 60:1-3](/isaiah/60-1 "Isaiah 60:1-3 - Jerusalem's Future Glory"). Finally, it beautifully illustrates the theme of **Divine-Human Partnership**, where God, having sovereignly declared His will and purposes, graciously invites and indeed requires human participation through prayer. The "watchmen" are not merely passive spectators of divine activity but active agents, co-laboring with God in bringing about His eschatological plan, demonstrating that prayer is a vital and indispensable component in the outworking of God's kingdom on earth.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **rest (Hebrew, _dᵉmîy'_):** This word (H1824) is derived from a root meaning "to be silent" or "to cease." It denotes quiet, silence, or cessation. In the context of "give him no rest," it is an imperative to maintain a continuous, unceasing appeal or intercession. It does not imply that God is weary or needs literal rest, but rather it is a powerful anthropomorphism urging believers to mirror God's own declared restlessness for Jerusalem's glory, refusing to be silent or still until His purposes are fully realized.
* **establish (Hebrew, _kûwn'_):** This verb (H3559) is a primitive root meaning "to be erect," and causatively, "to set up," "to fix," "to prepare," or "to render sure and prosperous." When applied to God establishing Jerusalem, it speaks to His sovereign act of making the city firm, secure, and fully realized in its intended purpose—a place of stability, righteousness, and divine presence. It encompasses both physical rebuilding and spiritual renewal, ensuring its prominence and prosperity according to His divine plan.
* **praise (Hebrew, _tᵉhillâh'_):** This term (H8416) is from a root meaning "to laud" or "to shine." It refers to laudation, glory, or a hymn of praise. For Jerusalem to be made "a praise in the earth" means it will become a source of universal renown, honor, and worship. Its manifest glory and the presence of God within it will attract the attention and adoration of all nations, causing them to direct their praise towards God through the city's transformed state.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And give him no rest":** This is a striking and audacious command directed to the intercessors, the "watchmen" mentioned in the preceding verse. It means to continuously press into God in prayer, without ceasing, without allowing any quiet or cessation in their petitions. This reflects a holy importunity and a tenacious faith, mirroring God's own relentless pursuit of Jerusalem's destiny as declared in [Isaiah 62:1](/isaiah/62-1 "Isaiah 62:1 - God's Unwavering Commitment to Zion"). It is a call to align human prayer with divine resolve.
* **"till he establish":** The ultimate object and desired outcome of this tireless prayer is God's active and sovereign work of establishing Jerusalem. This refers to God's act of making the city firm, secure, and fully realized in its intended purpose. It encompasses both physical restoration and spiritual renewal, ensuring its stability, security, and prominence according to His divine plan, making it a sure and prosperous dwelling place for His presence.
* **"and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth":** This concluding clause reveals the ultimate, glorious goal of God's establishment of Jerusalem and the intercessors' fervent prayers. Jerusalem is destined to become a source of universal renown and honor, not for its own sake, but as a radiant testament to God's glory, faithfulness, and redemptive power. Its transformed and exalted state will elicit worship and recognition from all nations, drawing them to the God who dwells there, thereby making Jerusalem a focal point of divine praise and adoration across the entire globe.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 62:7 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent and profound message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, particularly evident in the phrase "give him no rest." This is not to be interpreted literally as God requiring sleep or being subject to human weariness, but rather it vividly depicts the intense, unceasing, and persistent nature of the intercessory prayer God desires from His people. It suggests a relentless pursuit of God's declared will, a refusal to be silent or passive until the divine promise is fully realized. Additionally, there is an element of **Personification** applied to Jerusalem, which is to be made "a praise in the earth." While a city cannot literally praise or be praised in the human sense, its transformed state and the glory of God dwelling within it will cause it to be the *object* or *source* of universal praise and renown among all nations. This elevates Jerusalem beyond a mere geographical location to a powerful symbol of God's ultimate triumph, faithfulness, and glory. The command itself, with its strong imperative, could also be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme dedication, unwavering commitment, and holy importunity required for this level of fervent intercession.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 62:7 profoundly articulates the dynamic and often mysterious relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility in the realm of prayer. It reveals a God who has declared His immutable purposes for Jerusalem's glory and, in an astonishing act of condescension and grace, invites His people to participate actively in the outworking of these purposes through persistent, importunate prayer. This is not prayer as manipulation or an attempt to change God's mind, but rather prayer as alignment—a persistent echoing of God's own heart and a refusal to cease until His kingdom comes and His will is done on earth as it is in heaven. The verse underscores that God's promises are absolutely certain and will be fulfilled, yet He sovereignly ordains human intercession as a vital means for their manifestation, demonstrating His profound desire for partnership with His covenant people in the grand narrative of redemption and the ultimate establishment of His universal reign.

* [Luke 18:1-8](/luke/18-1 "Luke 18:1-8 - The Parable of the Persistent Widow")
* [1 Thessalonians 5:17](/1_thessalonians/5-17 "1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray Without Ceasing")
* [Isaiah 60:1-3](/isaiah/60-1 "Isaiah 60:1-3 - Jerusalem's Future Glory")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 62:7 serves as a profound and challenging call to a life characterized by unceasing, fervent intercession, reminding believers that our prayers are not merely passive requests but active, vital participation in God's unfolding redemptive plan. It challenges us to transcend sporadic or half-hearted petitions and instead embrace a relentless, persistent posture of prayer, refusing to be silent until we witness God's will manifest in our personal lives, our families, our communities, and the broader world. Just as God Himself is depicted as "restless" for Jerusalem's ultimate glory, so too should we cultivate a holy restlessness in our pursuit of His kingdom, praying with unwavering conviction for spiritual awakening, the advancement of justice, the global spread of the Gospel, and the flourishing of His Church. This powerful verse instills deep hope, assuring us that God's sovereign purposes will ultimately and triumphantly prevail, and it encourages us to embrace our role as spiritual "watchmen," vigilantly lifting up prayers for His glory to be fully revealed throughout the earth. Our intercession is a powerful, God-ordained means by which His promises become tangible realities, transforming both us and the world around us in the process.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it practically mean to "give God no rest" in your personal prayer life, and what specific areas might require this level of persistence?**
* **How does understanding God's own "restlessness" for His redemptive purposes impact your motivation and commitment to pray without ceasing?**
* **For what specific situations, communities, or people are you called to be a spiritual "watchman" and pray with unwavering dedication?**
* **How does the glorious promise of Jerusalem becoming "a praise in the earth" encourage and shape your prayers for God's ultimate victory and global renown today?**

### FAQ

**Does "give him no rest" imply that God is unwilling or needs to be persuaded?**

Answer: No, the phrase "give him no rest" (from H1824, _dᵉmîy_) does not imply that God is unwilling or needs to be persuaded against His will. Rather, it is a powerful anthropomorphism and a profound call to persistent, fervent intercession that aligns perfectly with God's *already declared* will and promises. In [Isaiah 62:1](/isaiah/62-1 "Isaiah 62:1 - God's Unwavering Commitment to Zion"), God Himself states, "For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest." The command to the watchmen in verse 7 is therefore an invitation to mirror God's own divine impatience and relentless pursuit of His purposes. It emphasizes the vital importance of human partnership in prayer, not as a means to manipulate God, but to participate actively and faithfully in the outworking of His sovereign plan and to demonstrate unwavering faith in His promises. It's about aligning our will with His and demonstrating a deep, unwavering desire for His kingdom to come and His will to be done.

**What does it mean for Jerusalem to become "a praise in the earth"?**

Answer: For Jerusalem to become "a praise" (H8416, _tᵉhillâh_) "in the earth" (H776, _ʼerets_) signifies its ultimate spiritual and physical exaltation and renown. It means that Jerusalem, once desolate and scorned, will be so completely restored, glorified, and established by God that it will become a source of universal honor, admiration, and worship. This praise is not merely for the city itself, but through the city, glory and adoration will be directed to God who dwells there. It speaks to a future, eschatological time when God's manifest presence and righteousness will shine forth from Jerusalem, attracting all nations to worship Him, as prophesied in passages like [Isaiah 2:2-4](/isaiah/2-2 "Isaiah 2:2-4 - Jerusalem as the Center of Nations") and [Zechariah 8:20-23](/zechariah/8-20 "Zechariah 8:20-23 - Nations Coming to Jerusalem"). It represents the culmination of God's redemptive plan, where His glory is fully manifested and universally acknowledged by all peoples.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 62:7, with its fervent call to prayer for Jerusalem's establishment and its ultimate renown as "a praise in the earth," finds its profound and ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the glorious reality of the New Covenant. While the prophecy initially speaks to the literal city of Jerusalem, its deepest spiritual resonance points to the New Jerusalem, which is the bride of Christ, the Church, and ultimately the eternal city of God. Just as the ancient watchmen were commanded to give God no rest until the earthly Jerusalem became a praise, so too are believers today, as spiritual watchmen, called to persistent, unceasing intercession for the full establishment of God's kingdom through Christ and the glorification of His Church. Jesus Himself taught His disciples to pray with this very heart, instructing them, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" [Matthew 6:10](/matthew/6-10 "Matthew 6:10 - The Lord's Prayer"). He is the true "establisher" (H3559, _kûwn_) of His people, declaring that He will build His Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it [Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Peter's Confession and the Church"). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross and His victorious resurrection, Christ has inaugurated the new creation, making His followers "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen People"). The ultimate "praise in the earth" (H8416, _tᵉhillâh_) is not merely for a physical city, but for the Lamb of God who was slain, whose radiant glory illuminates the heavenly Jerusalem and fills all creation [Revelation 21:23](/revelation/21-23 "Revelation 21:23 - The Glory of the New Jerusalem"). Thus, our persistent prayers today are for the completion of Christ's redemptive work, the full manifestation of His kingdom, and the glorious day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the eternal glory of God the Father [Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 33:9

And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.

Zephaniah 3:19

Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.

Zephaniah 3:20

At that time will I bring you [again], even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.

Isaiah 60:18

Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.

Luke 18:1

¶ And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Luke 18:8

I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Matthew 6:9

¶ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.