Neville Goddard on Isaiah 61:1-6 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read Isaiah 61 in context

Scripture Focus

1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

2To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

4And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

5And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.

6But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

Isaiah 61:1-6

Biblical Context

The Spirit of the Lord rests on the speaker, anointing them to preach good tidings, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty, and to comfort mourners. Transformation follows—beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, and praise for heaviness.

Neville's Inner Vision

Picture the text as a dialogue with your own I AM. The Spirit of the Lord upon me is the inner awareness already present; I am anointed to speak good news to the meek of my mind, to bind up wounds, to release the captive beliefs that bind me, and to open the prison of past limitations. The 'acceptable year of the LORD' is not a date but the now—this is a shift in state, a release from yesterday's self-limitation. When I acknowledge this inner appointment, I become the trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, whose very thoughts are nourished by the Spirit and who are capable of rebuilding the wastes of my inner world. The Gentiles' riches and the nations' glory are my inner resources: insight, creative power, and compassionate action arising as I rest in I AM. Practically, I live as a priest in my own consciousness, ministering to my own soul and extending that abundance outward as I interact with others, knowing that this inner transformation shows up as better circumstances, renewed hopes, and a radiant sense of worth.

Practice This Now

Imaginative Act: Sit quietly, close your eyes, and repeat, 'I am the Spirit of the Lord upon me; I am anointed to bring good tidings and liberty.' Then feel the heaviness lift, beauty replacing ashes, and joy flowing as you affirm your priestly identity.