Isaiah 49:4

Translations

Modern

But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent My strength in futility and vanity; yet My vindication is with the LORD, and My reward is with My God.”

Traditional

Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God.

Literal

And I said: “In vain I have labored; I have spent My strength in futility and in emptiness. Yet surely My vindication is with YHWH, and My reward with my God.”

Latin

Et ego dixi: In vacuum laboravi; sine causa et vane fortitudinem meam consumpsi: ergo judicium meum cum Domino, et opus meum cum Deo meo.

Original

Hebrew

English

But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent My strength in futility and vanity; yet My vindication is with the LORD, and My reward is with My God.”

Notes

Isaiah 49:4

I have labored in vain: Even though people stubbornly refuse his message, the servant will still reach out to them.
My vindication is with the LORD: Despite discouragement and suffering, the servant will continue to perform his duty faithfully, trusting God for the outcome. God promised to reward the servant’s faithfulness (see also Isaiah 40:10; 50:8).

Isaiah 49:1–55:13

God planned to rescue the Israelites from exile. But an important question remained. How could sinful Israel serve the Holy One again?

God would make a way to remove Israel’s sin. He would restore their fellowship with him. This means he would bring them back into a right relationship with himself.

The way would be through the promised Servant. This Servant would come for Israel and for all nations. He was first introduced in Isaiah 42:1–9. n this passage, he becomes the main focus.

Isaiah 49:1–13

This is traditionally seen as the second of four songs about a suffering servant (see study note on Isaiah 42:1–4). The servant's role in suffering becomes clearer (see also Isaiah 50:4–9; 52:13–53:12).

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah All Is “Vapor” God’s Servant Salvation in Isaiah

Events

Prophecies of Isaiahc. 759 BC

Related verses

Isaiah 35:4
Say to those with anxious hearts: “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you.”
Galatians 4:11
I fear for you, that my efforts for you may have been in vain.
Isaiah 62:11
Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the ends of the earth, “Say to Daughter Zion: See, your Savior comes! Look, His reward is with Him, and His recompense goes before Him.”
2 Corinthians 2:15
For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
Ezekiel 3:19
But if you warn a wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness and his wicked way, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved yourself.
Matthew 17:17
“O unbelieving and perverse generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to Me.”
Isaiah 65:23
They will not labor in vain or bear children doomed to disaster; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD—they and their descendants with them.
2 Corinthians 12:15
And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?
Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!
Isaiah 40:10
Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and His arm establishes His rule. His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him.
Isaiah 53:10–12
Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and to cause Him to suffer; and when His soul is made a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.
Romans 10:21
But as for Israel he says: “All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

Isaiah 49:4

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