The first two lines in this verse express God’s close relationship with his people, while the last three lines each begin with an infinitive in Hebrew, rendered stretching, laying, and saying. However, the relationship between the five lines is difficult to establish. The syntax of the verse suggests the last three lines are purpose or result clauses, but the content of the third and fourth lines shows they are not. Instead, they refer to the power and activity of God in creation, as in verse 13. The final line is the climax of the entire section as God assures the people of Judah that they are still his own people, that they have not been forgotten.

Since the two lines referring to God’s creative activity seem to break into the text, this may explain why Good News Translation has rearranged the contents of the entire verse. The creation theme is noted first in Good News Translation, followed by the three lines that refer to the LORD’s words concerning Zion. Bible en français courant and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch use the same arrangement. However, there is a good reason not to follow Good News Translation‘s rearrangement of the text, namely, the LORD appears to speak to the prophet or his servant in the first two lines (see the comments below). Only in the last line does he clearly address Zion.

New International Version and Revised English Bible do not attempt to link the last three lines as the purpose or the result of the first two, but they take them as added, independent descriptions of the LORD himself; for example, New International Version renders this verse as “I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand—I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’” This approach has merit. The actual relationship between the lines in this verse is difficult to determine. However, we recommend retaining the Masoretic Text order.

And I have put my words in your mouth: The pronoun your is masculine singular in the Hebrew, and this whole line fits the imagery of God giving his message to a prophet to proclaim (see, for example, 49.2; 50.4; 59.21; Jer 1.9). Therefore many scholars presume that these words are meant for the prophet or the LORD’s servant rather than for the people as a whole. Since God has placed his words in the person’s mouth, this suggests that the person is to convey God’s message, not just receive it as teaching. Bible en français courant implies this by rendering this line as “I entrust my message to you.” Another possible model is “I am giving you [singular] my message/words to proclaim.”

And hid you in the shadow of my hand refers to God’s protection. See the comments on 49.2.

Stretching out the heavens and laying the foundations of the earth: See verse 13. Instead of the verb stretching out, Masoretic Text has “plant.” Like Revised Standard Version, many versions emend the text to make it agree with other passages such as verse 13. However, there is no textual evidence for this modification, so Hebrew Old Testament Text Project firmly recommends the verb “plant,” which obviously has a figurative sense here. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh retains Masoretic Text by rendering the third line as “I, who planted the skies.” The Septuagint has “[my hand] by which I set up the sky.” However, scholars see this as an attempt to smooth out a difficult text. If translators wish to stay closer to the Hebrew text, New International Version and Revised English Bible provide a possible model with “I who set/fixed the heavens in place.”

And saying to Zion, ‘You are my people’: This line forms the climax to God’s words of promise and assurance. He has not forgotten his people. You are my people expresses his covenant relationship with the people of Zion (see verse 4 and the comments on 1.3). These words to Zion are a quote within Yahweh’s speech that began at verse 12. Some languages may prefer to use indirect speech here (see the second example below).

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• I have given you my message,
and you are still within my protective hand.
I am the one who set the heavens in place,
and established the earth on its foundations.
I say to Zion, ‘You are [still] my people!’”

• You have my words in your mouth,
and I still protect you with my own hand.
I have set the heavens in place,
and I have placed the earth on its foundations.
I tell you, Zion, that you are my people.”

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 .