Isaiah 25:4

For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. THE POOR ... THE NEEDY - the Jews, exiles from their country (; ). A SHADOW FROM THE HEAT - from calamity (; ). THE BLAST - i:e., the wrath. AS A STORM - a tempest of rain; a winter flood, rushing against and overthrowing the wall of a house....

4._For thou hast been a strength to the poor. _Hence we see the fruit of conversion, namely, that the Lord raises us from the dead, and brings us, as it were, out of the grave, stretching out his hand to us from heaven, to rescue us even from hell. This is our first access to him, for it is only in our poverty that he finds the means of exercising his kindness. To us in our turn, therefore, it is necessary that we be poor and needy, that we may obtain assistance from him; and we must lay aside all reliance and confidence in ourselves, before he display his power in our behalf. This is the reason why he visits us with chastisements and with the cross, by which he trains us, so that we may be able to receive his assistance and grace. _A refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat. _It is not without good reason that Isaiah adorns this description by these comparisons; for numerous and di...

1-5 However this might show the deliverance of the Jews out of captivity, it looked further, to the praises that should be offered up to God for Christ's victories over our spiritual enemies, and the comforts he has provided for all believers. True faith simply credits the Lord's testimony, and relies on his truth to perform his promises. As God weakens the strong who are proud and secure, so he strengthens the weak that are humble, and stay themselves upon him. God protects his people in all weathers. The Lord shelters those who trust in him from the insolence of oppressors. Their insolence is but the noise of strangers; it is like the heat of the sun scorching in the middle of the day; but where is it when the sun is set? The Lord ever was, and ever will be, the Refuge of distressed believers. Having provided them a shelter, he teaches them to flee unto it....

Verse Isaiah 25:4. _AS A STORM_ AGAINST _THE WALL_ - "Like a winter - storm."] For קיר _kir_, read קור _kor_: or, as עיר _ir_ from ערר _arar_, קיר kir from קרר _karar_. - Capellus....

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 shall I be afraid?’ Psalms 28:8; Psalms 29:11; Psalms 31:2; Psalms 46:1; Isaiah 4

EXPOSITION ISAIAH 25:1 ISAIAH'S SONG OF PRAISE ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GOD'S KINGDOM. AS in Isaiah 12:1, after describing the first setting up of Christ's kingdom and the call of the Gentiles, the prophet broke out into song, through joy at the tidings he was commissioned to announce, so now, having proclaimed the final establishment of the same kingdom in the heavenly Zion, he is again carried away by the sense of exultant gladness into a fresh _Lobgesang_, which he utters in his own person—not, as the former one, in the person of the Church. His song divides itself into three

FOR THOU HAST BEEN A STRENGTH TO THE POOR, A STRENGTH TO THE NEEDY IN HIS DISTRESS,.... The people of God, who are poor and needy, both in a literal and in a spiritual sense; and especially when under afflicted circumstances, in times of desertion, temptation, bodily affliction, and persecution from men, which may be here chiefly intended; to whom the Lord is a strength: he strengthens their hearts, and his own grace in them; he sheds abroad his love in their hearts, which makes their mountain to stand strong; he directs them to Christ, in whom is strength, as well as righteousness; he strengthens them by his Spirit, his promises, word, and ordinances. Christ may be more especially meant; and it may refer to the strength and power he will give to his people in the latter day; when a small one shall be a strong nation; when the feeble shall be as David, and the house of David as the angel...

CHAPTER 25 Israel's Praise and the Blessings of the Kingdom 1. _The praise of the delivered nation (Isaiah 25:1)_ 2. _The blessing for all nations during the Kingdom (Isaiah 25:6)_ 3. _Israel rejoicing after waiting (Isaiah 25:9)_ 4. _Moab and Israel's enemies judged (Isaiah 25:10)_ In the foreground of this chapter stands another hymn of praise, which redeemed Israel will sing in “that day.” Jehovah has done wonderful things for His people. Compare with Isaiah 12:5 ;

A SONG OF PRAISE FOR YAHWEH'S GREAT DELIVERANCE. The deliverance still lies in the future; the song is written from the standpoint of the redeemed community, and expresses its exultation over its salvation. Yahweh has overthrown the city, its inhabitants shall stand in awe of Him. He has been a shelter to His distressed people when the blast of the violent has beaten on them like a winter storm. He has assuaged the oppression of the enemy, as the sun's scorching heat in a parched land is ameliorated by clouds. ISAIAH 25:1. COUNSELS OF OLD: God's decrees formed in the far-distant past. Isaiah 25:2. a city: the identification is uncertain; perhaps it is that of Isaiah 24:10. PALACE: fortress ...

STRENGTH. stronghold. POOR. Hebrew. _dal_. impoverished, reduced. See note on "poverty" Proverbs 6:11. WHEN THE BLAST OF THE TERRIBLE ONES IS. for the blast of the terrible ones [is], &c. BLAST. Hebrew. _ruach_ (App-9), as in Isaiah 37:7; Exodus 15:8; 2 Kings 19:7. BRANCH. triumphal song. BROUGHT LOW. become low....