Deutero-Isaiah, the Lyricist

Dear Bible Challenge participants,

We've concluded the first 39 chapters of Isaiah, those attributed to "Jerusalem Isaiah" of the 8th century.  The transition begins with the shift into narrative in chapter 36, as the Isaiah scroll begins to read a lot more like the 18th and 19th chapters of 2 Kings, with the Assyrians confronting Hezekiah's Jerusalem. Chapter 39 warns of the pending destruction in the 6th century by the Babylonians... and concludes with Hezekiah's disappointing "nimby" response: At least it won't happen on my watch. Sheesh. (Sorry... nimby's not quite the right word..."nimlt" (not in my lifetime) doesn't have the same ring to it...)  Samuel warned us that kings would mean no good...

Moving right along... The shift with the opening of chapter 40 is striking, and the first three chapters we read of Deutero-Isaiah may have had you singing along familiar Advent hymns, and Handel's Messiah.  Deutero-Isaiah is a song writer, and as we read the following chapters, expect more music to fill your heart.

Deutero-Isaiah is thought to be a disciple of Isaiah's, or a member of what might have been an "Isaiah School" of sorts. Writing during the Babylonian Exile, in Babylon, the destruction of Jerusalem and Exile are in the past, and Cyrus of Persia is on the horizon--the Exile will soon be over. 

I wonder, what are your favorite hymns and songs taken from this part of Isaiah?  

I adore Comfort, Comfort Ye My People-- my favorite Advent hymn in the 1982 hymnal... Then again, there's Be Not Afraid... and U2 borrowed from Deutero-Isaiah's lyrics in their 1983 song Drowning Man...

Hold on, hold on tightly.
Hold on, and hold on tightly.
Rise up, rise up with wings like eagles.
You run, you run.
You run and not grow weary.

Hold on, and hold on tightly. 
Hold on, hold on tightly 
This love, lasts forever.
Now this love lasts forever.

I'd love to hear your take on meeting Deutero-Isaiah, and what songs are you humming, as you take on this part of the Bible Challenge?

A ever, thank you for being on this journey!

Peace,

Paige+