Isaiah 57

The Lord upbraideth the Jews with their excessive heedlessness, because they regarded not the death of holy and godly men ver.1, etc. as also because they derided the prophets, 4. And committed Idolatry, 5 and because they trusted to humane help, 9 Therefore he threateneth to punish them, 12 yet he comforteth the penitent, and promiseth to shew them grace and mercy: 13 But the wicked have no peace, 20.

1. The righteous perisheth, [That is, such kind of religious and godly persons as have in their life-time been diligent and careful to keep the law of God, they die] and there is no man that layeth it to heart; and merciful men are snatched away, [Heb. Are gathered, or taken away; that is, they are taken away out of this life. See Deut.32.5. Jud.18.25. Psal.26.9. and the Annotat. There] without any mans considering that the righteous is snatched away before the evil. [Heb. Before the face of the evil. That is, before the miseries and calamities come which the Lord hath determined to send into the world. Or from the society or company of wicked men. See 2 Kings 22:20. and Wisd.4.10.]

2. He [Understand here every righteous person whom God calleth unto himself] shall enter (into) peace; [that is, into the joy of heaven, into celestial bliss, to partake of eternal joy and salvation. Or in peace, that is, in quietness and with a good conscience. Compare Luke 2:29.] they shall rest in their sleeping-places, [or beds, or bed-chambers, or couches, and so hereafter often; that is, in their graves, where they shall rest till their resurrection at the last day] each one that hath walked (in) his uprightness, [or straightness, namely without declining from the right way either to the right hand or to the left. The meaning is, he that ordereth and regulateth his whole life and conversation in the strictest manner according to the laws and commandements of God. Or he that hath walked aright, or in the right (way). Or, he that hath walked rightly before him; to wit, before the LORD. See Genesis 5.on verse 22.]

3. But draw ye near hither, the children of the juggles [that is, ye that practise witchcraft and juggling] ye adulterous seed. [that is, the seed or children of adulterous seed, [that is, the seed or children of adulterers, or children of those that are given to adultery. So he calleth the Jews, because of their spiritual adultery, that is, their Idolatery; as may be gathered from the next following verses. See Ezek.ch.16. Christ likewise calleth the Jews an adulterous generation, Matth.22.29. because they often revolted from the true God and served the idols of the Gentiles] and ye that commit fornication.

4. On whom do ye sport yourselves? [Or on whom have ye your will and pleasure? That is, by mocking of whom do ye take your pleasure and pastime? In these and the following words the Lord doth shew, how the idolatrous Jews carried themselves towards the Prophets of the Lord, when they preached the word of God unto them] at whom, [or against whom] do ye make a wide mouth? (and) put out the tongue a great way? [As if he had said, do ye not this to spite me? See Job 16:10. Psal.35.21.] are ye not children of transgression, [that is, wicked varlets, that have wholly given up yourselves to transgress?] a seed of falsehood? [That is, men addicted to falsehood; that is, to a false worship.]

5. That are hot [That is, ye go a whoring and commit Idolatry] in the yoke-groves, [wherein they committed Idolatry. See above chap.1.29. Others, ye are hot upon the Gods; that is, Idols] under all [or, every] green tree: [or leafy tree] slaying the children by the brooks, [Compare Ezek.16.21,26 and 23.39. and 24.7. and compare further 2 Kings 16:3. and 2 Chron.28.3.] under the corners of the rocks. [Or, under the rocks that stick out]

6. By the smooth (stones) of the brooks is thy portion, [Others, by the smooth brook-stones is thy portion. Heb.by the smoothness’s (of the stones) of the brook is thy portion. That is, thou art diligent to chase out fair, smooth stones, to set up an Idol, or an altar to the honour of Idols. (is thy portion) That is, thou lovest it as well as if it were thy portion that is fallen to thee by lot. The contrary is, Psal.16.5. See the Annotat. There] they, they are thy lot: [or, thy portion] also thou pourest out a drink-offering unto them, [to wit, to the Idols, which thou settest up in those places. Or, in those (places) thou pourest, &c.] thou offerest meat-offering unto them: should I suffer my self to be comforted concerning these things? [The meaning is, Is it possible that I should forget the grief and sorrow that I have had, and still have, because of your Idolatry? It is spoken of God after the manner of men. See Gen.24.67. and 2 Sam.13.39. The question denieth and threateneth. As if he said, I will by no means forget your Idolatry, but I will sorely punish you for it. See above chap.1.24. Ezek.5.13.]

7. Thou settest thy couch [That is, thy altars, or chappels, to commit spiritual whoredom there with Idols, as an harlot doth on the bed. See Ezek.16.24.] upon the high and lofty mountain: also thither goest thou up, to offer slay-offering. [To wit, to the honour of Idols.]

8. And behind the door and posts dost thou set (up) thy memorial: [Heb. Thy remembrance. Some take these words thus, thou settest thy memorials behind the door; that is, every where in all the corners of your houses do ye set an Idolatrous Image, being a token of your abominable spiritual Idolatry. Others understand here by the memorials, or remembrance, the law of God, which ought not to be set behind the door, but God commandeth, that they should write it without upon their doors, or upon the posts of their doors, Deut.6.9. and 11.20.] for (departing) from me thou uncoverest thy self, [The meaning is, forsaking me thy lawful husband, thou uncoverest thy self, as an unchaste wife, unto others. He continueth still in the same allegory of spiritual whoredom, to wit, Idolatry] and goest up, [to wit, into an high tree, as vers.7. Others thou goest up to it, to wit, to thy bed, as vers.3. and understand the bed of spiritual fornication or whoredom] thou dost enlarge thy couch [that is, thou committal fornication with many Idols] and makest (a covenant with some) of them, [to wit, especially with some of the heathenish Idols, though thou art in love with them all. Others, and makest (a covenant) more then they: to wit, then the heathen, of whom thou hast learnt this. Others, and hewest thee down (trees) more then those. Thou hewest thee down (trees) to wit, to make room in the grove, for to set up Images and altars of Idols, or to make Idols of them. Compare above chap.44.14.] thou lovest their couch, [to wit, the couch of Idols. That is, thou committet Idolatry with delight] (in) every place [Heb. Hand, as above chap.56.5.] that thou seest. [Others, in the place that thou hast looked out for thy self.]

9. And thou goest to the King with oil, [That is, thou sendeth thine Ambassadors when thou art in trouble, to ask help. (with oil to the King) to wit, with precious, sweet, balsam-oil (as Hos.12.2.) for a present (as some conceive) to Tiglath-Pilneser, king of Assyria, 2 Kings 16:7.] and thou multiplies great store of this oil or ointment, to present the King abundantly therewith] and thou sendest thine Ambassadors far off, [to wit, into Assyria] and abasest thy self to hell. [That is, to the end that thou maist obtain help from him, thou humblest thy self before him, even unto hell; that is, in the lowest manner or degree, as Mat.11.23. It seemeth that the Prophet hath here respect to the words of King Ahaz, when he sent word to the King of Assyria, saying, I am thy servant, 2 Kings 16:7.]

10. Thou art wearied by thy great journey, (but) thou sayest not, It is without hope: [The meaning is, though thou hast made a long and tedious journey to Assyria, to seek for help there, yet thou art not frighted away by it. (by thy great journey) Into Assyria. Heb.in the greatness, or, multitude of thy way. (It is without hope) It is labour lost, or, It is desperate work; therefore I will let it alone] thou hast found the life of thine hand, [that is, which was able to keep thee alive, or to preserve thy strength and vigour. Others, thou hast found (that is, thou didst hope to have found) a band (or company or multitude) of thine hand; that is, thou conceives to have ready at hand, or at thy command; to wit, the Assyrians. Others, a strengthening of thine hand: that is, a comfort of help, whereby thine hand shall be strengthened. Others, the virtual of thine hand] therefore thou becomes not sick. [That is, thou growest not weary, faint; thou art not discouraged, thou faintest not in thy design or purpose. The meaning is, because thou hast found comfort by the Assyrians, and they do promise or strengthen thine hand with help and assistance, therefore it doth not repent thee that thou hast gone such a long journey, but thou art rather hardened and strengthened by it in thine Idolatry, and thou goest still to Assyria, to seek for help there.]

11. But of whom hast thou been afraid or feared? For thou hast lied, [The meaning is, when my Prophets do reprove thy sins, thou disownest them, and coverest them with lies. Compare below chap.59.13. Thou art not afraid nor fearest any man, yea not thy God himself, because he suffereth thee to go so long unpunished] and hast not remembered me, [that is, thou hast not thought on my vengeance, nor feared that I would punish thee for thy lies] thou hast not laid me to thine heart: is it not (because) I hold my peace, [that is, because I do not straightway punish thee, as soon as thou didst sin against me?] and that of old, [Heb. From eternity. See Job chap.22.on vers.15.] and thou fearest me not? [Others, have I not held my peace; or been quiet, suffered thee to go unpunished, for a long while together, and yet thou hast not feared me? Or thus, do I not also hold my peace of old, and wilt thou not fear me?

12. I will make thy righteousness known, and thy works, [That is, I will conceal them no longer. (thy righteousness &c.) That is, thy seeming holiness, thy hypocrisy, wherewith thou makest a shew as of good works, but indeed and in truth it is iniquity. For we must know, that this is spoken ironically, and in a deriding or scoffing manner: forasmuch as they would be esteemed and counted for true godly and righteous people, but were not so indeed and in truth] that they shall not profit thee. [Understand withal, but on the contrary they shall greatly hurt thee]

13. When thou shalt cry, [To wit, being in trouble and requiring help of me] then let those that are gathered of thee, deliver thee: [As if the LORD had said, I will not deliver you, let us see whether the Assyrian souldiers whom ye have gathered for your help, will be able to deliver you] but the wind shall carry them all away, vanity shall take them away: but he that putteth his trust in me, he shall inherit the earth, and possess mine holy mountain hereditarily. [That is, he shall be here on earth a member of my Church, and after this life inherit eternal life. Heb. The mountain of my holiness. Compare herewith above chap.2.2. and 56.7. and Psal.37.ver.9.]

14. And they shall say, Exalt (the path,) prepare the way: take the stumbling-block out of the way of my people. [And they shall say, etc. or, he shall say; to wit, the crier, or king Cyrus, who caused proclamation to be made that all the people should return to their own country, and that no man should hinder or prejudice them. See above chao.40.3. and below chap.62.10. whereby is further typified the redemption of Jesus Christ.]

15. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, and whose Name is holy: I dwell (in) the high, and (in) the holy place, and with him that is of a bruised and humble spirit, [See Psal.34. the Annotat. On ver.19.] that I may revive the spirit of the humble, and that I may revive the heart of the bruised ones.

16. For I will not contend forever, [Or, unto the end] neither will I be continually wroth: [Compare Psal.103.9.] for the spirit [that is, the heart, the mind of all men] would be overwhelmed from before my face, [when I should always contend with them, or should be at all times a like angry with them. See of the word to be overwhelmed, Psal.61.on ver.3. and Psal.102.on ver.1.] and the souls [to wit, would be overwhelmed, or fall into a swoon] (which) I have made.

17. I was wroth for the iniquity of their covetousness, [Heb. Of his covetousness. So this 17.ver. and also the 18. And 19. Verses are continually put in the singular number] and smote them; I hid me, [that is, I withdrew my grace and help from them] and was wroth: yet they went on aversely in the way of their (own) heart. [That is, in the way which their own heart invented and devised]

18. I see their ways and I will heal them: [Others, (but) but when I beheld their ways, then I healed, or cured them. The meaning is, when I saw that they were wholly corrupted, and were not able to help themselves, then I helped them of meer grace and mercy] and I will lead them, and restore comforts unto them, namely to their mourners. [to wit, to those that are grieved because they have provoked me to anger.]

19. I create the fruit of the lips, Peace, Peace [That is, I will raise and produce much peace and joy, much comfort and thankfulness by the lips of my ministers that preach peace. Others, I create that which hath been brought forth, or, is brought forth by the lips] to them that are far off, and to them that are neer, [that is, to all the elect, whether they be Jews or Gentiles. See Ephes.2.17.] saith the LORD, and I will heal them.

20. But the wicked are like a sea that is driven on; [As the Sea, or great waters that are moved, stirred, & troubled by the mighty winds: So are the wicked driven on to all manner of wickedness, both by their own evil consciences, and by other wicked men] for that cannot rest, and her waters [Or, waves, or, billows] cast up [or forth] mire and dirt. [So the wicked cast up and bring forth all manner of filthiness and corruption out of their corrupt hearts and minds.]

21. The wicked have no peace, [To wit, no peace of conscience, or of mind. See Job chap.18.on ver.11.] saith my God. [See above chap.48.22.]