But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.
God, having awoke for the comfort of his people, here calls upon them to awake, as afterwards, Isa 52:1. It is a call to awake not so much out of the sleep of sin (though that also is necessary in order to their being ready for deliverance) as out of the stupor of despair.
Commenting on Isaiah 51:17-23
And I will put it into the hand of them that afflict me,.... As the Lord did to literal Babylon, Jer 25:15, so will he do to mystical Babylon; he will retaliate upon her all the evils she has done to others, and destroy them that destroyed the earth; see Rev 11:18, which have said to thy soul, bow down, that we may go over...
(Isa 49:26; Jer 25:15-29; Zac 12:2). Bow down that . . . go over--Conquerors often literally trod on the necks of conquered kings, as Sapor of Persia did to the Roman emperor Valerian (Jos 10:24; Psa 18:40; Psa 66:11-12). Zion long in bondage (Isa 51:17-20) is called to put on beautiful garments appropriate to its future prosperity. Next: Isaiah Chapter 52