Isaiah 26

Chap. XXVI. Ver. 1—21. Another hymn of triumphant praise.—This chapter, like the foregoing, is a song of praise, in which thanksgivings for temporal and spiritual mercies are beautifully mingled, though the latter still predominate. This hymn, like the preceding, is beautifully diversified by the frequent sang of speakers. It opens with a chorus of the church, celebrating the protection vouchsafed by God to his people, and the happiness of the righteous, whom he protects, contrasted with the misery of the wicked, whom he punishes. To this very naturally succeed their own pious resolutions of obedience, and trust and delighting in God. Here the prophet breaks in, in his own person, eagerly catching the last words of the chorus, which were perfectly in unison with his own feelings; these he beautifully repeats, as one musical instrument reverberates the sound of another in unison with it.

He makes, likewise, a suitable response to what had been said on the judgments of God; and observes their different effects on good and bad men, improving the one, and hardening the other. Ver. 12. is supposed to commence another chorus, in which the hand of God is acknowledged, all idol worship is abjured, and God is praised for increasing the nation, and enlarging its boundaries. In verses 16 to 18, Israel is compared to a woman; verses are extremely difficult to translate, (as Gataker has sufficiently shown,) a man supposing herself pregnant, first pouring out her sorrows in secret, and afterwards more vehemently, in the agony of supposed labour, which, however, proves to be a mistake. They conceived and brought forth wind.

They made great professions of reform, and in consequence of those professions, indulged hopes of deliverance; but their professions were hypocritical, and their hopes were disappointed. Still, however, they are encouraged to hope; and though their situation is compared to that of the dead, they are directed to look to him who is able to raise the dead, for a moral and political resurrection. From hence, says Bishop Lowth, justly, “It appears that the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead was at that time a popular and common doctrine; for an image which is assumed in order to express or represent any thing in the way of allegory, or metaphor, whether poetical or prophetical, must be an image commonly known and understood; otherwise it will not answer the purpose for which it is assumed.” The chapter closes with inviting God’s people to fly to him in prayer, while he arises to punish sinners.

Notes on the verses

Chap. XXVI. Ver. 1. A strong city—in opposition to that of the enemy overthrown, (Isaiah 25:2).—In the land of Judah.—Lowth unites this with the previous clause, instead of the preceding: “In the land of Judah we have a strong city.” Ver. 3. In perfect peace.—“Peace, peace;” the word being repeated by way of emphasis.—Whose mind (imagination or thoughts) is stayed—settled, unwavering. Ver. 7. Uprightness.—Lowth, “Perfectly straight.”—Thou dost weigh.—Lowth, “Thou exactly levellest;” the word signifies to regulate, either by weight or measure. See (Proverbs 4:26). Ver. 9. Will I seek.—Lowth, “Have I sought.” Ver. 11. For their envy at the people.—Lowth, “They shall see with confusion thy zeal for thy people.”

Ver. 13. By thee only.—Lowth, “Thee only, and thy name, henceforth will we celebrate.” Ver. 15. Removed it far unto.—Read the text without the supplementary words, “Thou hadst removed far all ends, borders (or boundaries) of, not the earth, but the land.” prayer. But Lowth renders it, “Humble supplication.” Ver. 17. Like as a woman with child.—Lowth, “That hath conceived.” Ver. 18. We have been with child.—Lowth, “We have conceived.” The case here stated is that of a woman suffering under a disorder, with all the symptoms of pregnancy, arising from wind only. Ver. 19. Together with, &c.—Lowth omits the supplementary words in italics, and reads, “My deceased, they shall rise.” All the ancient versions read in the plural.—Dew of herbs.—Boothroyd reads, “Mallows,” which are said to imbibe much dew; but Lowth renders it, “Of the dawn.” As dew raises the vegetable world to new life, (as it were,) so God’s Spirit acts upon the moral world.—And the earth shall cast out the dead.—Lowth renders this, “But the earth shall cast forth (as an abortion) the deceased tyrants;” the word here used, is Rephaim, giants, tyrants, alluding to ver. 14.; whose carcasses are represented as “cast forth,” but not resuscitated. See note on (Job 26:5).