He had no form or beauty
That we should even look at Him
Rejected and despised
Our faces turned away
But by His bruises, we were healed
And He was wounded
Because of our sin
The Suffering Servant
He was wounded
Because of our sin
He never deserved it
By His bruises, we were healed
Surely He bore our grief
And carried all our suffering
Taking our punishment
And bringing us shalom
And by His bruises, we were healed
And He was wounded
Because of our sin
The Suffering Servant
He was wounded
Because of our sin
He never deserved it
By His bruises, we were healed
By His bruises, we were healed
Taken away to die
But silent as a lamb would be
It pleased the heart of God
To crush The Righteous One
The will of Adonai
To crush His only Son
And He was wounded
Because of our sin
The Suffering Servant
He was wounded
Because of our sin
He never deserved it
By His bruises, we were healed
By His bruises, we were healed
By His bruises, we were healed
Isaiah 53 (feat. Shai Sol) [Official Video]
Isaiah 53 Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Aaron Shust's song "Isaiah 53," featuring Shai Sol and released with an official video on March 19, 2021, draws its profound message directly from the ancient Hebrew prophecy found in the biblical book of Isaiah, specifically chapter 53. The song serves as a musical meditation on the identity and purpose of the Suffering Servant described in that text. It opens by portraying this figure as one outwardly unremarkable, lacking physical beauty or form that would attract attention, and notes the widespread rejection and turning away of faces. This initial description sets the stage for the core theme: that this figure's true significance lies not in appearance or popular acceptance, but in the redemptive work undertaken.
The central refrain of the song emphasizes the purpose of the Suffering Servant's afflictions. Phrases like "He was wounded because of our sin" and "He never deserved it" highlight the substitutionary nature of his suffering – enduring punishment not for his own transgressions but for those of others. The pivotal declaration, "By His bruises, we were healed," is repeated throughout, underscoring the transformative outcome of this suffering. This speaks to a spiritual healing, a restoration to wholeness and peace that results from the Servant bearing the penalty for sin. The lyrics directly connect grief and suffering to the Servant's burden, stating He "bore our grief and carried all our suffering," taking punishment to bring about *shalom*, a Hebrew word encompassing peace, completeness, and well-being.
Further verses explore the depth of the Servant's sacrifice, depicting him taken away to die, yet remaining silent, like a lamb led to slaughter, fulfilling prophecy. The song confronts the challenging truth presented in the scripture that "it pleased the heart of God to crush The Righteous One," and that it was "the will of Adonai to crush His only Son." This points to the divine plan behind the Suffering Servant's suffering, interpreting the event not as a tragedy outside of God's will, but as a deliberate act ordained by God for a greater purpose – the redemption of humanity. This element of the lyrics is a direct reflection of Isaiah 53:10, a verse often interpreted within Christian theology as foreshadowing God's plan for the Messiah's atoning sacrifice.
The powerful repetition of "By His bruises, we were healed" reinforces the central message of restoration and hope derived from the Suffering Servant's work. This phrase encapsulates the core theological concept that the physical and emotional suffering endured by the Servant (often understood as Jesus Christ in Christian interpretation) provides the basis for spiritual healing and reconciliation between humanity and God. The song’s structure, building through descriptions of suffering to repeated declarations of healing, effectively conveys the weight of the sacrifice and the immense grace of its result. By focusing on the Suffering Servant's willing submission and the divine will behind the suffering, the song draws listeners into contemplation of the profound cost of salvation.
Ultimately, Aaron Shust's "Isaiah 53" serves as a compelling worship piece that brings an ancient prophecy to life through music. Released in 2021, the song acts as a bridge between the Old Testament text and contemporary faith, making the themes of vicarious suffering, divine justice, and redemptive healing accessible and impactful. It is a musical testament to the core message of Isaiah 53, reminding listeners of the depth of sacrifice made and the source of true healing and *shalom*. The collaboration adds another dimension, potentially reflecting the universal significance of this prophecy.
