Although Good News Translation and New International Version treat this verse as a separate stanza, it actually comes as the climax to the first subsection. It completes the reference to Yahweh’s vengeance by solemnly identifying who the speaker is. The change to the first person plural pronoun Our marks these words as those of the prophet. Such a switch from Yahweh as speaker to the prophet’s words is typical of all prophetic speeches in which the prophet speaks on behalf of God. It should not be misunderstood as marking some major semantic change. Here, then, the prophet speaks as a representative of the people in a joyous hymn that celebrates Yahweh’s special relationship with Israel. The prophet refers to the LORD using three divine titles.

For Our Redeemer, see the comments on 41.14. Good News Translation expresses this divine title as a verbal phrase, saying “sets us free.” This is a possible way of translating the Hebrew.

For the LORD of hosts is his name, see the comments on 1.9 and 42.8.

For the Holy One of Israel, see the comments on 1.4.

Various combinations of the titles are possible, depending on the translator’s preferences regarding language, style, and custom. Normally, however, the usual translation of these titles should be retained.

Translation examples for this verse are:

• Our Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
Yahweh of hosts is his name.

• Yahweh of hosts is the name of our Redeemer.
He is the Holy One of Israel.

• The Holy One of Israel is our Redeemer.
His name is “LORD of hosts.”

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .