1. Listen to me, you islands.Pay attention, you people far away.Before I was born, the Lord chose me.While I was in my mother’s womb, he recorded my name.
2. He made my tongue like a sharp swordand hid me in the palm of his hand.He made me like a sharpened arrowand hid me in his quiver.
3. He said to me,“You are my servant Israel.I will display my glory through you.”
4. But I said,“I have worked hard for nothing.I have used my strength, but I didn’t accomplish anything.Yet, certainly my case is in the Lord’s hands,and my reward is with my God.”
5. The Lord formed me in the womb to be his servantin order to bring Jacob back to himand gather Israel to him.(The Lord honors me,and my God has become my strength.)