Old Testament
Isaiah 42:21
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, God expresses His satisfaction with His own righteousness.
- Author
- Isaiah the prophet
- Written
- Around 700 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah and the surrounding nations
The LORD is pleased for the sake of His righteousness; He will magnify the law and make it honorable.
The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God expresses His satisfaction with His own righteousness. He is committed to upholding the law, which represents His moral standards and commands. By magnifying the law, God emphasizes its importance and value, showing that it is not just a set of rules but a reflection of His character. This act of making the law honorable indicates that it deserves respect and adherence. The verse highlights God's desire for justice and righteousness in the world, suggesting that His laws are meant to guide humanity towards a better way of living. It reassures believers that God's standards are not arbitrary but are rooted in His nature, and they serve a purpose in promoting goodness and order in society. Ultimately, this verse calls attention to the significance of God's law and encourages people to recognize its role in their lives, leading them to live in accordance with His will.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Isaiah 42:21 to your life
This verse encourages us to value and respect God's laws in our daily lives. By understanding that His commands are rooted in righteousness, we can strive to align our actions with His will. This alignment fosters a life of integrity and purpose, reflecting God's character to others.
Curated for this public verse page. Isaiah Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Isaiah 42:21 mean about God's righteousness?
Isaiah 42:21 emphasizes that God is pleased with His own righteousness. This means that God's moral standards and commands are not arbitrary; they reflect His character and nature. The verse reassures believers that God's righteousness is foundational to His laws, which are designed to promote justice and goodness in the world.
How does God magnify the law in Isaiah 42:21?
In Isaiah 42:21, God magnifies the law by highlighting its importance and value. This act signifies that the law is not merely a set of rules but a reflection of God's character. By making the law honorable, God shows that it deserves respect and adherence, encouraging believers to recognize its significance in guiding their lives.
Why is the law considered honorable in Isaiah 42:21?
The law is considered honorable in Isaiah 42:21 because it embodies God's righteousness and moral standards. By magnifying the law, God emphasizes its role in promoting justice and order in society. This honor reflects the law's purpose in guiding humanity towards a better way of living, rooted in God's nature.
What practical lessons can we learn from Isaiah 42:21?
From Isaiah 42:21, we learn the importance of valuing and respecting God's laws in our daily lives. Understanding that His commands are grounded in righteousness encourages us to align our actions with His will. This alignment fosters integrity and purpose, allowing us to reflect God's character to others and contribute positively to our communities.
The Book of Isaiah
Isaiah 41: Fear Not, I Am With You
The LORD calls the nations to keep silence before him and to renew their strength. He asks who raises up the righteous man from the east and gives nations before him, making him rule over kings. He says he gives them as dust to his sword and as driven stubble to his bow, and he declares he is the first and with the last.
Unlock the full Isaiah summary
Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.
The complete summary of Isaiah — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 66 chapters.
What you get
Every chapter of Isaiah summarized in clear, modern English
How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points
Permanent access — read anytime, on any device
Best value • Save over 90%
One-time purchase • Access anytime
ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.
Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.