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Despite defeat, exile and hardship on their return to Judea, the Jewish people persevered in faith to God.  The expression of this faith is found in today’s lesson scripture:

1 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch.
2 The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.
3 You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4 You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married.
5 For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your builder marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.
6 Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted sentinels; all day and all night they shall never be silent. You who remind the Lord, take no rest,
7 and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it renowned throughout the earth.  Isaiah 62:1-7 (NRSV)

The new names referred to in verse four are literal translations of the Hebrew words: “My Delight Is in Her” is from the Hebrew Hephzibah, and “Married” is from the Hebrew Beulah.  Puts me in mind of the old gospel hymn written by Edgar Page Stites -