Translation: ESV
And it shall be said, 'Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people's way.'
The way must be prepared for God's people to come.
▸The image of preparing the way in the wilderness from 40:3-5 is repeated.
The image of preparing the way in the wilderness from 40:3-5 is repeated. 'Prepare the way'—remove obstacles for the returning Israel. Spiritually this symbolizes removing obstacles from our lives.
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'
God dwells on high but also with the humble and contrite.
▸God's paradoxical dwelling place is declared: he dwells in the high and holy place, but also with the contrite and lowly in spirit.
creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and to the near, says the LORD, and I will heal him.
God heals even knowing our sin—this is grace.
▸God heals those who are wounded.
'There is no peace,' says my God, 'for the wicked.'
True peace exists only in God.
▸This is the theme-phrase repeated a second time after 48:22.