Isaiah — Chapter 42
Synopsis Capitis
Synopsis: The first Servant Song (v.1-9) — 'Behold my servant whom I uphold.' Lapide reads this primarily of Christ (the 'Servant of the Lord' par excellence, confirmed by Mt 12:17-21 which cites v.1-4 of Christ). The servant's mission: justice to the nations (v.1), without clamor or violence (v.2-3), and as a covenant for people and light for nations (v.6-7). Secondary application to the whole Christ (Christus totus = Christ with His Church, especially the Apostles and missionaries).
Verse 1
Ecce servus meus, suscipiam eum, electus meus, complacuit sibi in illo anima mea
Behold my servant whom I uphold, my chosen in whom my soul delights — cited by Matthew (12:17-21) as fulfilled in Christ's healing ministry and command to secrecy. At Christ's baptism (Mt 3:17) and transfiguration (Mt 17:5), the Father's voice repeats this: 'This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.' The identification is dogmatic. 'I have put my Spirit upon him' = the anointing of the Spirit at the Jordan. 'He shall bring forth justice to the nations' (v.1b) = the universal Gospel mission. 'A bruised reed he will not break, a dimly burning wick he will not quench' (v.3) = Christ's pastoral tenderness toward weak sinners — He does not crush the fragile but gently restores them.
Verse 6
Ego Dominus vocavi te in justitia, et apprehendi manum tuam
I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you. I have given you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations. 'Foedus populi' = Christ as the new covenant itself, not merely its mediator — He IS the covenant between God and humanity. 'Lux gentium' = light for the Gentiles, repeated at Christ's presentation in the Temple (Lk 2:32, Simeon's canticle). Lapide: the light for the Gentiles is fulfilled in the worldwide Church, where the Gospel illumines every nation and every culture that receives it.