Houbigant, by conjecture, inserts the word w�� sason, gladness, taken from the line next but one below, where it stands opposed to lba ebel, sorrow or mourning, as the word lost here was to ylba Hebeley, mourners: I follow him. - L.

Beauty for ashes "A beautiful crown instead of ashes"] In times of mourning the Jews put on sackcloth, or coarse and sordid raiment, and spread dust and ashes on their heads; on the contrary, splendid clothing and ointment poured on the head were the signs of joy. "Feign thyself to be a mourner, "says Joab to the woman of Tekoah, "and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, "2 Sam. xiv. 2. These customs are at large expressed in the Book of Judith: "She pulled off the sackcloth which she had on, and put off the garments of her widowhood, and washed her body all over with water and anointed herself with precious ointment, and braided the hair of her head, and put on a tire [mitre, marg.] upon it; and put on her garments of gladness; " chap. x. 3.- L.

rpa tjt rap peer tachath ephar, glory for ashes; a paronomasia which the prophet often uses: a chaplet, crown, or other ornament of the head (for so the Vulgate renders the word here and in the both verse; in which last place the Septuagint agree in the same rendering,) instead of dust and ashes, which before covered it; and the costly ointments used on occasions of festivity, instead of the ensigns of sorrow. - L.

Trees of righteousness "'Trees approved"] Hebrews oaks of righteousness or truth; that is, such as by their flourishing condition should show that they were indeed "the scion of God's planting, and the work of his hands; " under which images, in the preceding chapter, ver. 21, the true servants of God, in a highly improved state of the Church, were represented; that is, says Vitringa on that place, "commendable for the strength of their faith, their durability, and firmness."

Is. 61:1-3 The prophets had the Holy Spirit of God at times, teachin them what to say, and causing them to say it; but Christ had the Spiri always, without measure, to qualify him, as man, for the work to whic he was appointed. The poor are commonly best disposed to receive the gospel, James 2:5; and it is only likely to profit us when receive with meekness. To such as are poor in spirit, Christ preached goo tidings when he said, Blessed are the meek. Christ's satisfaction i accepted. By the dominion of sin in us, we are bound under the power of Satan; but the Son is ready, by his Spirit, to make us free; and the we shall be free indeed. Sin and Satan were to be destroyed; and Chris triumphed over them on his cross. But the children of men, who stan out against these offers, shall be dealt with as enemies. Christ was to be a Comforter, and so he is; he is sent to comfort all who mourn, an who seek to him, and not to the world, for comfort. He will do all thi for his people, that they may abound in the fruits of righteousness, a the branches of God's planting. Neither the mercy of God, the atonemen of Christ, nor the gospel of grace, profit the self-sufficient an proud. They must be humbled, and led to know their own character an wants, by the Holy Spirit, that they may see and feel their need of the sinner's Friend and Saviour. His doctrine contains glad tidings indee to those who are humbled before God.

Is. 61:4-9 Promises are here made to the Jews returned out of captivity, which extend to all those who, through grace, are delivere out of spiritual thraldom. An unholy soul is like a city that is broke down, and has no walls, like a house in ruins; but by the power of Christ's gospel and grace, it is fitted to be a habitation of God through the Spirit. When, by the grace of God, we attain to holy indifference as to the affairs of this world; when, though our hand are employed about them, our hearts are not entangled with them, but preserved entire for God and his service, then the sons of the alie are our ploughmen and vine-dressers. Those whom He sets at liberty, he sets to work. His service is perfect freedom; it is the greates honour. All believers are made, to our God, kings and priests; an always ought to conduct themselves as such. Those who have the Lord for their portion, have reason to say, that they have worthy portion, an to rejoice in it. In the fulness of heaven's joys we shall receive mor than double for all our services and sufferings. God desires truth, an therefore hates all injustice. Nor will it justify any man's robbery to say, it was for burnt-offerings; and that robbery is most hateful whic is under this pretence. Let the children of godly parents be such, tha all may see the fruits of a good education; an answer to the prayer for them, in the fruit of God's blessing.

Is. 61:10,11 Those only shall be clothed with the garments of salvatio hereafter, that are covered with the robe of Christ's righteousnes now, and by the sanctification of the Spirit have God's image renewe upon them. These blessings shall spring forth for ages to come, as the fruits of the earth. So duly, so constantly, and with such advantage to mankind, will the Lord God cause righteousness and praise to sprin forth. They shall spread far; the great salvation shall be publishe and proclaimed, to the ends of the earth. Let us be earnest in prayer that the Lord God may cause that righteousness to spring forth amon us, which constitutes the excellence and glory of the Christia profession __________________________________________________________________

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