Isaiah 57:16

Hardly less remarkable is the motive here assigned for the Divine clemency, Jehovah's compassion for the frailty of His creatures (Psalms 103:9; Psalms 103:13 f., Psalms 78:39). The argument somewhat resembles that of ch. Isaiah 45:18 ff.: it cannot be Jehovah's purpose to undo His own creation. The continuance of His anger would annihilate the souls which He Himself has made; therefore when chastisement has produced the contrite and humble spirit, He relents and shews mercy.

The word for soulsis that which in Genesis 2:7 means "breath (of life)," the principle of life in virtue of which man becomes "a living person" (cf. ch. Isaiah 42:5). The parallel spirithas the same sense; it is the Divine power by which human life is sustained.