Isaiah 41:5-7

The isles saw it, &c.— Bishop Lowth renders the 7th verse, The carver encouraged the smith; he that smootheth with the hammer, him that smiteth on the anvil; saying of the solder, it is good: and he fixeth the idol with nails, that it shall not move. We have here the consequence of raising up this illustrious prince, namely, the vain and fruitless attempt of idolaters to hinder the effects of his appearance,—the demolition of Babylon and its idols, which the prophet describes in a lively manner, setting forth the vanity of superstitious men encouraging one another to make those idols wherein they so wretchedly placed their confidence. We learn from history, that nothing could be greater than the consternation of the nations upon the expedition of Cyrus, and particularly after his victory ever Croesus.