Isaiah 26

Isaiah 26:1-4

This chapter is a long of holy joy and praise; it is prepared to be sung when the foregoing prophecy should be accomplished. The people of God are taught, 1. To rejoice in their safety under the divine promises, ver. 1-4. 2. To triumph over all oppression, ver. 5, 6. 3. To walk with God, and wait for him in the world of times, ver. 7, 8, 9. 4. To lament the stupidity of those who regard not the prejudice of God, either merciful or afflictive, ver. 10, 11. 5. To adquire in God all the good that is in them, and the victories that are abetted for them, ver. 12, 14. and to engage themselves in existence in his service, ver. 13. 6. To recollect God’s dealings with them, and their own zeal and untruths in affliction, ver. 15-18. 7. To rejoice in hope of a glorious resurrection, ver. 19. and of present security, which God punishes the wicked, ver. 20, 21.

1. “N” that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah. We have a strong city, salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. 2. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. 3. Thou wilt keep him in a perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: becasthe he trutheth in thee. 4. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.

The work of heaven is everlasting praise, and the redeemed delight to begin the service upon earth. We have here the song which, in the latter day, shall be sung in the land of Judah, the church of the first-born, whose names are written in heaven.

1. God hath prepared for his people a city, his church, or the new Jerusalem, Rev. xxi. 2-11. a strong city, against which the gates of hell cannot prevail. It needs no human defences, when God himself is in the midst of her; and his fathesties her walls and bulwarks, v. 1. Note, They are false lodged who have fled to Jesus, the city of refuge, and have God’s everlasting promises for their protection.

2. He commands the gates to be opened for the admission of the righteous nation, that keepeth the word of his truth. All that in Jesus Christ the way, the truth, and the life, draw near to God, are now accepted as righteous, welcome to partake of the ordinances of his church below, and shall have hereafter an entrance manifested to them abundantly, into the everlasting kingdom of our God and Saviour above.

3. The prophet exults in the security of those who thus receive and trust God’s promises. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, peace with God, peace of confidence, peace under every provocation, peace in every trial, peace that passeth all understanding shall the soul enjoy, that is content to trust his all in the hands of Jesus. Lord increase our faith! increase our peace!

4. He exhorts at all times to exercise faith in the Saviour, and under all difficulties to trust on his blood, and his righteousness for pardon and acceptance, on his grace for strength, on his promises for perseverance, and he will never disappoint our hopes, for in the Lord Jah Jehovah is everlasting strength, or the rock of ages; he is able to save to the uttermost; from his everlasting arms none can pluck us; fixed on him, we shall be immovable, since the rock of ages is our foundation. Note, Had we a heart to trust God more firmly, we should certainly find cause to praise him more frequently and joyfully.