Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion. “Awake!”—that was Isaiah’s word to Israel. “Alive!”—that was Paul’s word to the “new Israel,” the Church. For several chapters the prophet has exhorted God’s people to greater zeal: “Go forth, stand up, put on.” Our text is the people’s response to the prophet’s cry. Sometimes we sing a hymn which begins: “Awake, O Lord, as in the time of old.” The Bible puts things the other way around: “No, you wake up; I’m always awake and ready,