In concluding the triumphant theme of verses 1 and 2, Yahweh does not promise wealth or power to the righteous. The millennial king’s reign will bring not revenge but rest as the greatest blessing he can bestow on his people. Symbolically, this promise also applies to the righteous of any generation: They will enter into God’s rest and their hard labors will be over. “Rest” does not imply idleness, but rather an end to the painful parts of mortality. When the righteous have completed their earthly purpose, the results of their use of agency means that the hardest decisions will be behind them. They will be “exalted” in the sense of being above the travails of this earth.
History: Ludlow provides this historical background:
Historically, these verses were fulfilled when Cyrus the Great of Persia issued an order allowing all captive peoples in Babylon to return to their place of origin. The first group of Jews returned in 538 B.C. and started to rebuild Jerusalem and Judea. Another great exodus of Jews began in 520 B.C., and the group eventually was able to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, the city itself, and the temple. Later, under the Maccabees (167–70 B.C.), the Jews enjoyed autonomy and prosperity, being so successful that they began to proselyte other people in the area and to grow in numbers. Indeed, the body of Jews grew into the millions by the time of Christ; while Babylon became desolate, Judea flourished.