OLD TESTAMENT TEXTS

The central focus of the First Sunday After Epiphany is the baptism of Jesus.  Isaiah 42:1-9 provides commentary for interpreting the significance of the baptism of Jesus for Christians, while Psalm 29 is a hymn of praise that can be used liturgically to celebrate the event.

Isaiah 42:1-9 - "The Commissioning of the Servant"
Setting.   Isaiah 42:1-4 (and perhaps vv. 5-9) is often described as one of the Servant Songs in "Second Isaiah"   Isaiah 40-55). Four times the anonymous exilic prophet, "Second Isaiah," speaks about a Servant of the Lord, who plays an important role in a new eschatological age that is about to begin among the exiled people of Israel. The Servant Songs are found in  Isaiah 42:1-4, 49:1-6, 50:4-11, and 52:13-53:12. When these texts are read in iso…