5 The islands have seen it and fear; the ends of the earth tremble. They approach and come forward;
5 The isles saw it, and feared; the ends of the earth were afraid, drew near, and came.
5 The coastlands have seen and are afraid; the ends of the earth tremble; they have drawn near and come.
5 "Far-flung ocean islands see it and panic. The ends of the earth are shaken. Fearfully they huddle together.
5 The coastlands saw it and feared, The ends of the earth were afraid; They drew near and came.
5 The lands beyond the sea watch in fear. Remote lands tremble and mobilize for war.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 41:5
Commentary on Isaiah 41:1-9
(Read Isaiah 41:1-9)
Can any heathen god raise up one in righteousness, make what use of him he pleases, and make him victorious over the nations? The Lord did so with Abraham, or rather, he would do so with Cyrus. Sinners encourage one another in the ways of sin; shall not the servants of the living God stir up one another in his service? God's people are the seed of Abraham his friend. This is certainly the highest title ever given to a mortal. It means that Abraham, by Divine grace, was made like to God, and that he was admitted to communion with Him. Happy are the servants of the Lord, whom he has called to be his friends, and to walk with him in faith and holy obedience. Let not such as have thus been favoured yield to fear; for the contest may be sharp, but the victory shall be sure.