The servant here is not the people of Israel (as in Isaiah 41:8–28 and elsewhere in chapters 41–48; see 49:5–6). Instead, the servant is a royal figure who accomplishes his mission with care for people, especially for those who are hurting. The passage is the first of four songs about this servant (Isaiah 42:1–4; 49:1–13; 50:4–11; 52:13–53:12). He brings in an era of universal justice. For the connection of the servant with Jesus Christ, see Matthew 12:18–21.