He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Hebrew words translated "fail" and "discouraged" are the same ones used in the preceding verse (42:3) to describe the Servant's refusal to "dimly burn" or be "crushed." This connection highlights that the Servant's resilience in bringing justice is intrinsically linked to His compassionate, non-destructive approach to those who are struggling.
He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse appears in the prophecy concerning the "Servant of the Lord," a figure introduced to carry out God's plan for the world. The preceding verses describe this Servant as a gentle and unassuming messenger, one who will not shout or quarrel. This verse continues that description, emphasizing the Servant's unwavering determination and ultimate success in bringing justice and divine law to all nations, including the distant lands.
Even amidst the greatest challenges, there's a promise of steadfastness. What keeps God's chosen Servant going when everything seems to push back?
Isaiah 42:4 paints a picture of incredible resolve. The Hebrew words for 'grow faint' (like a dimming lamp) and 'discouraged' (or 'broken') highlight the immense pressure this Servant will face. Yet, the text assures us He will not succumb to these pressures. This isn't just about pushing through; it's about an unshakeable inner strength that will not flicker out or shatter. This unwavering determination isn't for His own sake, but to fulfill His mission of establishing justice on earth.
Think of it like this: When a wick in a lamp starts to dim, it's close to going out. When a reed is bent, it's close to snapping. The Servant will not be like that. He will not dim, and He will not break. This steadfastness is His defining characteristic until His work is complete.
Justice is to be established 'in the earth,' and 'the coastlands' are waiting. What does this anticipation tell us about the world's condition and God's plan?
The verse doesn't just speak of the Servant's internal resolve; it also speaks to the world's response. The phrase 'the coastlands wait for his law' is powerful. 'Coastlands' or 'isles' in Hebrew often refers to distant nations, the Gentiles, those outside the immediate covenant of Israel. Their 'waiting' isn't passive indifference; it suggests a deep, perhaps unconscious, longing or expectation.
Imagine a world steeped in its own systems of justice and law, yet deeply flawed and incomplete. Isaiah paints a picture of these distant places yearning for something more, for a true, divine order. They are waiting for 'his law' – the instruction, the truth, the perfect justice that the Servant will bring. This anticipation highlights a universal human need for God's perfect way, a need that transcends borders and cultures.
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This verse speaks to the unwavering commitment of God's Servant, even amidst the deep despair and disorganization of the Babylonian Exile. The exiles, having lost their nation and Temple, were grappling with questions about God's faithfulness and His promises. The Servant's steadfastness in establishing justice and the world's anticipation of his law offered a profound message of hope and ultimate divine restoration.
c. 701 BC
Siege of Jerusalem
Assyrian King Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem. The city was miraculously spared, reinforcing the belief in Jerusalem's inviolability, a theme prominent in Isaiah's earlier prophecies.
c. 621 BC
Discovery of the Book of the Law
The Book of the Law was found in the Temple during Josiah's reign, leading to a religious reformation. This event instilled a sense of national righteousness and divine favor.
609 BC
Battle of Megiddo
Josiah was killed in battle against Pharaoh Necho of Egypt. This defeat shattered the nation's confidence and led to political instability and religious decline.
598 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon captured Jerusalem and deported a significant portion of the population, including the royal family and many elites, to Babylon.
587-586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, completing the deportation of the Jewish people to Babylon. This marked the beginning of the Babylonian Exile.
c. 550 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus the Great of Persia began his rise to power, eventually conquering the Median empire and setting the stage for the fall of Babylon.
539 BC
Fall of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon, allowing the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple.
This New Testament passage directly quotes Isaiah 42:4, applying the prophecy to Jesus Christ and highlighting the anticipation of the Gentiles for His law and salvation.
Isaiah 11:10This verse speaks of the root of Jesse arising to stand as a signal to the peoples, and to it the nations shall inquire, echoing Isaiah 42:4's theme of law reaching the 'isles' or distant nations.
Psalm 72:11This psalm describes kings from distant lands and islands bringing tribute and bowing down to a righteous king, which parallels the idea of the 'isles' waiting for God's law and justice established on earth.
Zechariah 8:20-23This passage foretells a future where peoples from many cities will go to Jerusalem seeking the Lord, illustrating the global reach of God's truth and law that Isaiah 42:4 anticipates.
barnesIsaiah 42:4: "He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law."
He shall not fail - He shall not be weak, feeble, or disheartened. However much there may be that shall tend to discourage, yet his purpose is fixed, and he will pursue it with steadiness and ardor until the great work shall be fully accomplished. There may be an allusion in the Hebrew word here (יכהה yı̂kheh) to that which is applied to the flax (כהה kēhâh); an…
bensonIsaiah 42:4: "He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law."
Isaiah 42:4 . He shall not fail, nor be discouraged — Though he be thus meek and gentle, yet he is also courageous and resolute, notwithstanding all the many and great difficulties and conflicts to which he will be exposed, and he will persevere till he have finished his work. Till he have set judgment in the earth — Till, by his holy life, his extreme sufferings, h…
The Hebrew words translated "fail" and "discouraged" are the same ones used in the preceding verse (42:3) to describe the Servant's refusal to "dimly burn" or be "crushed." This connection highlights that the Servant's resilience in bringing justice is intrinsically linked to His compassionate, non-destructive approach to those who are struggling.
This verse appears in the prophecy concerning the "Servant of the Lord," a figure introduced to carry out God's plan for the world. The preceding verses describe this Servant as a gentle and unassuming messenger, one who will not shout or quarrel. This verse continues that description, emphasizing the Servant's unwavering determination and ultimate success in bringing justice and divine law to all nations, including the distant lands.
This verse appears in the prophecy concerning the "Servant of the Lord," a figure introduced to carry out God's plan for the world. The preceding verses describe this Servant as a gentle and unassuming messenger, one who will not shout or quarrel. This verse continues that description, emphasizing the Servant's unwavering determination and ultimate success in bringing justice and divine law to all nations, including the distant lands.
"He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law." — The Hebrew words translated "fail" and "discouraged" are the same ones used in the preceding verse (42:3) to describe the Servant's refusal to "dimly burn" or be "crushed." This connection highlights…
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Last reviewed October 2026