The vision of redemption brings a profound reversal of fortune for both the Israelites and the city of Jerusalem. Following a long era of lowliness and ruin, they are promised new identities that reflect honor, divine closeness, and a renewed central role in the world.
The promise first focuses on the Israelites, the children of Zion [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. They are granted two distinct titles representing different layers of spiritual greatness [מלבי״ם]. First, they are recognized as a holy nation, a status earned through their own good deeds and righteous living. Second, they are identified as God's redeemed, which highlights the miracles and salvation He actively performed on their behalf. Taking a more spiritual approach, this division reflects two different groups of people. The holy nation refers to those who are completely righteous, while the redeemed are those who previously sinned and faced punishment, but were ultimately saved and restored by God [אהבת יהונתן].
The focus then shifts, speaking directly to the city of Jerusalem [אבן עזרא]. The city is given a new name indicating that she is deeply sought after. There are different ways to understand who exactly is seeking her. One perspective is that God Himself constantly watches over the city and seeks her well-being [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. Another view suggests that people from all over will seek her out, as she returns to her former glory as a central, desired destination [שד״ל, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This new identity is a complete reversal of her painful past, when enemies mocked her as a place that no one cared for [רד״ק].
Finally, Jerusalem is promised that she will be known as a city that is never forsaken, ensuring an end to her loneliness and desolation [שד״ל]. This directly answers the city's past cries when she mourned that God had abandoned her [רד״ק]. In the ultimate redemption, it will become clear to everyone that God never truly left. The period of destruction was merely a temporary state meant to cleanse the city of its past wrongs [מלבי״ם]. The renewal will be so complete that even the most remote and barren areas will transform into blooming, desirable gardens connected to Jerusalem, guaranteeing she will never be isolated or abandoned again [אהבת יהונתן].