Isaiah 57:16

Isaiah 57:16 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

For I will not accuse you forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit of man would grow weak before Me, with the breath of those I have made.

King James Version KJV

For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.

American Standard Version ASV

For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth; for the spirit would faint before me, and the souls that I have made.

Bible in Basic English BBE

For I will not give punishment for ever, or be angry without end: for from me breath goes out; and I it was who made the souls.

Free Bible Version FBV

I won't fight with you forever; I won't be angry with you forever. Otherwise you'd lose heart, the very people I gave life to.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

For I will not contende for euer, neither will I be alwayes wroth, for the spirite should fayle before me: and I haue made the breath.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

For, not to the age do I strive, nor for ever am I wroth, For the spirit from before Me is feeble, And the souls I have made.

World English Bible WEB

For I will not contend forever, neither will I always be angry; for the spirit would faint before me, and the souls whom I have made.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit would fail before me, and the souls which I have made.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be angry unto the end: because the spirit shall go forth from my face, and breathings I will make.

Translation for Translators T4T

I will not accuse people forever; I will not always be angry with them, because if I did that, people would become weak/discouraged; all the people whom I created and caused to live would die.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 57:16

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Isaiah 57:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB כִּ֣י לֹ֤א לְ/עוֹלָם֙ אָרִ֔יב וְ/לֹ֥א לָ/נֶ֖צַח אֶקְּצ֑וֹף כִּי ר֨וּחַ֙ מִ/לְּ/פָנַ֣/י יַֽעֲט֔וֹף וּ/נְשָׁמ֖וֹת אֲנִ֥י עָשִֽׂיתִי

כִּ֣י kîy H3588 for Conj

לֹ֤א lôʼ H3808 not Part

לְ/עוֹלָם֙ ʻôwlâm H5769 forever Prep | N-ms

אָרִ֔יב rîyb H7378 to contend V-Qal-Imperf-1cs

וְ/לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part

לָ/נֶ֖צַח netsach H5331 perpetuity Prep | N-ms

אֶקְּצ֑וֹף qâtsaph H7107 be angry V-Qal-Imperf-1cs

כִּי kîy H3588 for Conj

ר֨וּחַ֙ rûwach H7307 spirit N-cs

מִ/לְּ/פָנַ֣/י pânîym H6440 face Prep | Prep | N-cp | Suff

יַֽעֲט֔וֹף ʻâṭaph H5848 to turn aside V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

וּ/נְשָׁמ֖וֹת nᵉshâmâh H5397 breath Conj | N-fp

אֲנִ֥י ʼănîy H589 I Pron

עָשִֽׂיתִי ʻâsâh H6213 to make V-Qal-Perf-1cs

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 57:16

כִּ֣י kîy H3588 "for" Conj

A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.

Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.

לֹ֤א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

לְ/עוֹלָם֙ ʻôwlâm H5769 "forever" Prep | N-ms

This word means forever or always, describing something that lasts an eternity. It is used in the Bible to describe God's eternal nature and his lasting promises.

Definition: : old/ancient 1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world 1a) ancient time, long time (of past) 1b) (of future) 1b1) for ever, always 1b2) continuous existence, perpetual 1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity

Usage: Occurs in 413 OT verses. KJV: alway(-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, (n-)) ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world ([phrase] without end). Compare H5331 (נֶצַח), H5703 (עַד). See also: Genesis 3:22; 1 Kings 8:13; Psalms 5:12.

אָרִ֔יב rîyb H7378 "to contend" V-Qal-Imperf-1cs

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to argue or contend with someone, like in a lawsuit or a heated debate. It is used in various forms, such as physically fighting or verbally complaining. This concept appears in books like Genesis and Exodus.

Definition: 1) to strive, contend 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to strive 1a1a) physically 1a1b) with words 1a2) to conduct a case or suit (legal), sue 1a3) to make complaint 1a4) to quarrel 1b) (Hiphil) to contend against

Usage: Occurs in 59 OT verses. KJV: adversary, chide, complain, contend, debate, [idiom] ever, [idiom] lay wait, plead, rebuke, strive, [idiom] thoroughly. See also: Genesis 26:20; Job 40:2; Psalms 35:1.

וְ/לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 "not" Conj | Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

לָ/נֶ֖צַח netsach H5331 "perpetuity" Prep | N-ms

The Hebrew word for perpetuity or everlastingness, often used to describe God's nature. It appears in Psalm 9:7, where the psalmist praises God's enduring presence. This word conveys the idea of something lasting forever.

Definition: 1) eminence, perpetuity, strength, victory, enduring, everlastingness 1a) eminence 1b) enduring of life 1c) endurance in time, perpetual, continual, unto the end 1d) everlastingness, ever

Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: alway(-s), constantly, end, ([phrase] n-) ever(more), perpetual, strength, victory. See also: 1 Samuel 15:29; Psalms 74:10; Psalms 9:7.

אֶקְּצ֑וֹף qâtsaph H7107 "be angry" V-Qal-Imperf-1cs

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to be angry or furious, like God's wrath in Psalm 2:12. It describes intense rage or displeasure, often used to warn against provoking God's anger. This word appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: 1) to be displeased, be angry, fret oneself, be wroth 1a) (Qal) to be wroth, to be full of wrath, to be furious 1b) (Hiphil) to provoke to wrath or anger 1c) (Hithpael) to put oneself in a rage, anger oneself Aramaic equivalent: qe.tsaph (קְצַף "be angry" H7108)

Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: (be) anger(-ry), displease, fret self, (provoke to) wrath (come), be wroth. See also: Genesis 40:2; Esther 1:12; Psalms 106:32.

כִּי kîy H3588 "for" Conj

ר֨וּחַ֙ rûwach H7307 "spirit" N-cs

In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.

Definition: : spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) 1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being 1e) spirit (as seat of emotion) 1e1) desire 1e2) sorrow, trouble 1f) spirit 1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts 1f2) rarely of the will 1f3) as seat especially of moral character 1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son 1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy 1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning 1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power 1g4) as endowing men with various gifts 1g5) as energy of life 1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory 1g7) never referred to as a depersonalised force

Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). See also: Genesis 1:2; Job 6:26; Psalms 1:4.

מִ/לְּ/פָנַ֣/י pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | Prep | N-cp | Suff

This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.

Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.

יַֽעֲט֔וֹף ʻâṭaph H5848 "to turn aside" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

This Hebrew word means to feel weak or faint, like when someone is overwhelmed and can't cope. It appears in the Bible when people are struggling, like in Psalm 61:2. The word also means to be covered or hidden.

Definition: 1) to turn aside 1a) (Qal) to turn aside, turn (in order to cover)

Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: cover (over), fail, faint, feebler, hide self, be overwhelmed, swoon. See also: Genesis 30:42; Psalms 107:5; Psalms 61:3.

וּ/נְשָׁמ֖וֹת nᵉshâmâh H5397 "breath" Conj | N-fp

This word means breath, spirit, or wind, and is used in Genesis and other Old Testament books to describe God's breath and the breath of living things. It is related to the idea of divine inspiration and intellect, and is used in various contexts in the Bible.

Definition: 1) breath, spirit 1a) breath (of God) 1b) breath (of man) 1c) every breathing thing 1d) spirit (of man) Aramaic equivalent: nish.ma (נִשְׁמָא "breath" H5396)

Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: blast, (that) breath(-eth), inspiration, soul, spirit. See also: Genesis 2:7; Job 32:8; Psalms 18:16.

אֲנִ֥י ʼănîy H589 "I" Pron

This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.

Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)

Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.

עָשִֽׂיתִי ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" V-Qal-Perf-1cs

This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.

Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made

Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.

Study Notes — Isaiah 57:16

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Isaiah 57:16 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 57:16
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 57:16
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 57:16
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 57:16
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 57:16
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 57:16
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 57:16
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 57:16
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 57:16
Sermons on Isaiah 57:16

Context — Healing for the Repentant

14And it will be said, “Build it up, build it up, prepare the way, take every obstacle out of the way of My people.” 15For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.

16For I will not accuse you forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit of man would grow weak before Me— the breath of life I have made.

17I was enraged by his sinful greed, so I struck him and hid My face in anger; yet he kept turning back to the desires of his heart. 18I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him and his mourners,

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Micah 7:18	Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance— who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?
2	Jeremiah 10:24	Correct me, O LORD, but only with justice— not in Your anger, or You will bring me to nothing.
3	Psalms 103:9–16	He will not always accuse us, nor harbor His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass— he blooms like a flower of the field; when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more.
4	Psalms 85:5	Will You be angry with us forever? Will You draw out Your anger to all generations?
5	Hebrews 12:9	Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?
6	Psalms 78:38–39	And yet He was compassionate; He forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them. He often restrained His anger and did not unleash His full wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.
7	Numbers 16:22	But Moses and Aaron fell facedown and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the whole congregation?”
8	Genesis 6:3	So the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years.”
9	Job 34:14–15	If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath, all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
10	Jeremiah 38:16	But King Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has given us this life, I will not kill you, nor will I deliver you into the hands of these men who are seeking your life.”

Isaiah 57:16 Summary

This verse, Isaiah 57:16, means that God won't always be angry with us, and He won't accuse us forever. This is because if He did, our spirits would become weak and unable to stand before Him (as seen in the effects of sin in Genesis 3:8-10). God's decision not to accuse us forever shows His mercy and patience, as described in Exodus 34:6-7, and it allows us to have hope for restoration and healing, as seen in Isaiah 57:17-18. This truth can bring us comfort and encourage us to turn back to God, knowing that He is slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that God will not accuse us forever?

This verse, Isaiah 57:16, means that God's anger and accusation towards us is not eternal, as seen in Psalm 103:9, which says God will not always chide, nor will He keep His anger forever.

Why would the spirit of man grow weak before God if He always accused us?

If God always accused us, our spirits would grow weak because of the weight of guilt and shame, as implied in Isaiah 57:16, and as seen in the effects of sin in Genesis 3:8-10, where Adam and Eve hid from God due to shame.

How does God's limited accusation relate to His character?

God's decision not to accuse us forever shows His mercy and patience, as described in Exodus 34:6-7, where God is said to be slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness.

Is this verse saying that God will never be angry with us?

No, this verse is not saying that God will never be angry with us, but rather that His anger is not eternal, and as seen in Isaiah 57:17-18, God's anger can be followed by healing and restoration if we turn back to Him.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I have experienced God's accusation or conviction in my life, and how have I responded?
How does the knowledge that God will not accuse me forever affect my relationship with Him, and what changes can I make to draw closer to Him?
In what ways do I struggle with guilt and shame, and how can I apply the truth of Isaiah 57:16 to those areas of my life?
What does this verse reveal about God's heart towards me, and how can I cultivate a deeper understanding of His mercy and patience?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 57:16

For I will not contend for ever,.... By afflictive providences; with the humble and contrite, the end being in a great measure answered by their humiliation and contrition; when God afflicts his

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 57:16

For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 57:16

I will not contend for ever; I will not constantly proceed to the utmost severity with sinful men in this life, and therefore I will put an end to the miseries of the Jews, and turn their captivity. For the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made; for then their spirits would sink and die under my stroke, and I should do nothing else but destroy the works of mine own hands. Therefore I consider their infirmity, and spare them. Compare ,39 103:13,14.

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 57:16

Isaiah 57:16 For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls [which] I have made.Ver. 16. For I will not contend for ever.] It soon repenteth the Lord concerning his servants. Et pro magno peccato parum supplicii satis est patti. See Psalms 103:9. For the spirit would fail before me.] Heb., Would be overcovered - sc., tenebris ac terroribus, it would even sink and faint away. When the child swoons in the whipping, God lets fall the rod, and falls akissing it, to fetch life into it again. As the rule in medicine is still to maintain nature, so doth he their spirits by cordials. Terent.

Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 57:16

(16) I will not contend for ever . . .—The words come as a message of comfort to the penitent who is still bearing the chastisement of his sins. The time during which God “contends” with him as an accuser and a judge has its limits. Were it not so. the souls which he had made would be utterly consumed, and His purpose in creation would be frustrated. The words seem like an echo of Gen 6:3; Genesis 8:21. (Comp. Psalms 103:9-10).

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 57:16

Verse 16. For I will not contend for ever] The learned have taken a great deal of pains to little purpose on the latter part of this verses which they suppose to be very obscure. After all their labours upon it, I think the best and easiest explication of it is given in the two following elegant passages of the Psalms, which I presume are exactly parallel to it, and very clearly express the same sentiment. "But he in his tender mercy will forgive their sin And will not destroy them; Yea, oftentimes will he turn away his wrath, And will not rouse up his indignation: For he remembereth that they are but flesh, A breath that passeth, and returneth not." Psalms 78:38-39. "He will not always contend Neither will he for ever hold his wrath: As a father yearneth towards his children, So is JEHOVAH tenderly compassionate towards them that fear him: For he knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are but dust." Psalms 103:9; Psalms 103:13-14. In the former of these two passages the second line seems to be defective both in measure and sense. I suppose the word אותם otham, them, is lost at the end; which seems to be acknowledged by the Chaldee and Vulgate, who render as if they had read ולא ישחית אותם velo yaschith otham. - L. For the spirit] רוח ruach, the animal life. And the souls] נשמות neshamoth, the immortal spirits. The Targum understands this of the resurrection. I will restore the souls of the dead, i.e., to their bodies.

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 57:16

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 souls is 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 spirit has the same sense; it is the Divine power by which human life is sustained.

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 57:16

For I will not contend for ever - I will not be angry with my people forever, nor always refuse to pardon and comfort them (see Psalms 103:9).

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 57:16

16. I will not contend for ever — The prophet speaks for Jehovah in anthropopathic terms; that is, in terms as if He, the Infinite One, does actually think and feel human thoughts and emotions, and

Sermons on Isaiah 57:16

	Sermon	Description
	Eternity by J. Wesley Adcock	In this sermon, the preacher uses various illustrations to emphasize the brevity of life and the importance of recognizing the limited time we have on Earth. He compares life to a
	The Lord's Measured Correction by Octavius Winslow	Octavius Winslow emphasizes the necessity of divine correction in our spiritual journey, illustrating that trials and afflictions are essential for our sanctification and moral fit
	(1 Peter - Part 2): God's Abundant Mercy by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher begins by describing a man who wanted to look presentable before going to a fine place. However, he was rejected because the artist wanted him as he wa
	God Is Forgiveness by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the increasing power of temptation in the modern world, particularly through the internet and television. He highlights the negative impact
	Revival Now by Mark Greening	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the need for Christians to constantly be revived and restored to God, even after being saved. He shares his personal experience of realizing
	The Prophecy of Micah by Oswald J. Smith	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the fulfillment of predictions made by prophets regarding the destruction of Jerusalem. The speaker highlights that these predictions were lit
	Baptism and the Gospel by Paul Washer	In this sermon, the speaker begins by emphasizing the importance of remembering what God has done for us. He then introduces the topic of the gospel and its significance. The speak