This verse is a triumphant call for the people of Jerusalem to actively proclaim the Lord’s arrival, offering hope and encouragement to all who hear.
In Isaiah 40:9, the prophet declares, “Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news, Lift up your voice mightily, O Jerusalem, bearer of good news; Lift it up, do not fear. Say to the cities of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’” (v.9). Isaiah, who prophesied in the late 8th century BC, calls upon Zion—another name for the southeastern hill of ancient Jerusalem—to take courage and proclaim the coming presence of God. The phrase bearer of good news underscores the importance of sharing hope with the people. As one of the hills upon which Jerusalem was built, Mount Zion was considered “the city of God” and the seat of the Lord’s presence. By telling Zion to climb a high mountain and cry out with a mighty voice, Isaiah conveys both urgency and triumph in broadcasting God’s arrival to the towns of Judah.
When Isaiah writes, “Lift it up, do not fear” (v.9), he encourages the people of Zion to pursue their role as heralds of divine assurance without hesitation or worry. Jerusalem, often called “the holy city” in scripture, was the geopolitical and spiritual center of the kingdom of Judah. Having endured turmoil and threats from neighboring empires, Judah is reminded here that the same God who delivered them before will come again to reveal His power and comfort among them. Declaring, “Here is your God!” (v.9), emphasizes that the Lord’s presence brings redemption, strength, and a renewed sense of faith to a weary nation.
Just as Zion is called the bearer of good news, Christians in the New Testament see Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s comforting presence (John 1:14). The idea of proclaiming that “God is here” echoes forward to the gospel accounts, where believers are charged to make known the salvation found in Christ. Isaiah’s exhortation in this verse thus spans across time: from the immediate assurance for the Jews of Judah to the ultimate announcement of Jesus as the source of hope and restoration for the entire world.
Set to dark mode
Isaiah 40:9 meaning
In Isaiah 40:9, the prophet declares, “Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news, Lift up your voice mightily, O Jerusalem, bearer of good news; Lift it up, do not fear. Say to the cities of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’” (v.9). Isaiah, who prophesied in the late 8th century BC, calls upon Zion—another name for the southeastern hill of ancient Jerusalem—to take courage and proclaim the coming presence of God. The phrase bearer of good news underscores the importance of sharing hope with the people. As one of the hills upon which Jerusalem was built, Mount Zion was considered “the city of God” and the seat of the Lord’s presence. By telling Zion to climb a high mountain and cry out with a mighty voice, Isaiah conveys both urgency and triumph in broadcasting God’s arrival to the towns of Judah.
When Isaiah writes, “Lift it up, do not fear” (v.9), he encourages the people of Zion to pursue their role as heralds of divine assurance without hesitation or worry. Jerusalem, often called “the holy city” in scripture, was the geopolitical and spiritual center of the kingdom of Judah. Having endured turmoil and threats from neighboring empires, Judah is reminded here that the same God who delivered them before will come again to reveal His power and comfort among them. Declaring, “Here is your God!” (v.9), emphasizes that the Lord’s presence brings redemption, strength, and a renewed sense of faith to a weary nation.
Just as Zion is called the bearer of good news, Christians in the New Testament see Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s comforting presence (John 1:14). The idea of proclaiming that “God is here” echoes forward to the gospel accounts, where believers are charged to make known the salvation found in Christ. Isaiah’s exhortation in this verse thus spans across time: from the immediate assurance for the Jews of Judah to the ultimate announcement of Jesus as the source of hope and restoration for the entire world.