For the general design and scope of this chapter, see the Analysis to Isaiah 24. It is a song of praise to God for the anticipated deliverance of his people from the bondage in Babylon. The desolation of Jerusalem and Judah had been described in Isaiah 24; that chapter had closed with an intimation... [ Continue Reading ]
O LORD, THOU ART MY GOD - The prophet speaks, not in his own name, but in the name of the people that would be delivered from bondage. The sense is, that Yahweh had manifested himself as their covenant-keeping God; and that in view of his faithfulness in keeping his promises, they now had demonstrat... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOU HAST MADE - This is supposed to be uttered by the Jews who should return from Babylon, and therefore refers to what would have been seen by them. In their time it would have occurred that God had made of the city an heap. OF A CITY - I suppose the whole scope of the passage requires us to... [ Continue Reading ]
THE STRONG PEOPLE - The reference here is not probably to the Babylonians, but to the surrounding nations. The deliverance of the Jews, and the destruction of Babylon, would be such striking events that they would lead the surrounding nations to acknowledge that it was the hand of God. THE CITY OF... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOU HAST BEEN A STRENGTH TO THE POOR - Thou hast sustained and upheld them in their trials, and hast delivered them. God is often spoken of as the strength of his people. Isaiah 26:4 : ‘In the Lord Yahweh is everlasting strength.’ Psalms 27:1 : ‘The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shal... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT BRING DOWN THE NOISE - The tumult; the sound which they make in entering into battle; or the note of triumph, and the sound of revelry. The phrase may refer either to their shout of exultation over their vanquished foes; or to the usual sound of revelry; or to the hum of business in a vas... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IN THIS MOUNTAIN - In mount Zion, that is, in Jerusalem. The following verses undoubtedly refer to the times of the Messiah. Several of the expressions used here are quoted in the New Testament, showing that the reference is to the Messiah, and to the fact that his kingdom would commence in Jeru... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE WILL DESTROY - Hebrew, ‘He will swallow up,’ that is, he will abolish, remove, or take away. IN THIS MOUNTAIN THE FACE OF THE COVERING - In mount Zion, or in Jerusalem. This would be done in Jerusalem, or on the mountains of which Jerusalem was a part, where the great transactions of the plan... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WILL SWALLOW UP - This image is probably taken from a whirlpool or maelstrom in the ocean that absorbs all that comes near it. It is, therefore, equivalent to saying he will destroy or remove Isaiah 25:7. In this place it means that be will abolish death; that is, he will cause it to cease from i... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT SHALL BE SAID IN THAT DAY - By the people of God. This shall be the language of exultation and joy which they shall use. LO, THIS IS OUR GOD - This is the language of those who now see and hail their Deliverer. It implies that such deliverance, and such mercy could be bestowed only by God, a... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IN THIS MOUNTAIN - In mount Zion. SHALL THE LAND OF THE LORD REST - “The hand” in the Scriptures is often used as the symbol of protection and defense. By the expression that the hand of Yahweh should REST on mount Zion, is meant probably that be would be its defender; his protection would not b... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SHALL SPREAD FORTH HIS HANDS - The sense is, that Yahweh would stretch out his hands everywhere, prostrating his enemies, and the enemies of his people. Lowth, however, applies this to Moab, and supposes that it is designed to represent the action of one who is in danger of sinking, and who,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE FORTRESS ... - Thy strong defenses shall be destroyed. This is spoken of Moab (compare the notes at Isaiah 15:1;Isaiah 16:1), and is designed to be emblematic of the enemies of the people of God (compare the notes at Isaiah 34) The repetition of the expressions ‘bring down,’ ‘lay low,’ and ‘... [ Continue Reading ]