Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
my shepherd—type of Messiah (Isaiah 40:11; Psalms 23:1; Psalms 77:20; Ezekiel 34:23).
all my pleasure—so Messiah (Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 53:10). This is the first time Cyrus is named expressly; and that, a hundred fifty years before the time when in 550 BC he began his reign. The name comes from the Persian khorschid, "the sun"; kings often taking their names from the gods; the sun was worshipped as a god in Persia.
saying—rather, "and that saith"; construed with God, not with Cyrus. God's word is instantaneously efficient in accomplishing His will.
to . . . to—or, "of Jerusalem . . . of the temple," as previously, the same Hebrew word is translated, "of Cyrus" [BARNES]. English Version is more graphic. Cyrus, according to JOSEPHUS, heard of this prophecy of Isaiah delivered so long before; hence he was induced to do that which was so contrary to Oriental policy, to aid in restoring the captive Jews and rebuilding their temple and city.
Confirmation of His promises to the Church and Israel, by various instances of His omnipotence; among these the restoration of the Jews by Cyrus.
alone—literally, "Who was with Me?" namely, when I did it; answering to "by Myself," in the parallel clause (compare similar phrases, Hosea 8:4; John 5:30) [MAURER].
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Isaiah 44:28:
Ezra 1:2
Isaiah 41:2
Isaiah 45:4
Isaiah 46:11
Isaiah 48:14
Jeremiah 25:9
Ezekiel 34:2
Daniel 2:1
Ephesians 4:11
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