Isaiah 26

which they have unjustly taken from others to enrieh themselves. Some render the words, together xvith the strength of their hands. See the Argument of the foregoing chapter.

Isaiah 26:1

AN that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judaic. In the church, in which sense Mount Zion and Jerusalem are often used. (See note on xxiv. 23.)’’ We have a strong city: salvation will God ajipoint for walls and bulwarks.] The church is called the city of God: (see Psal. xlviii. 1. Ixxxvii. 3. Heb. xii. 22.) and its strength consists in God’s protection. (See Zech. ii. 5.) His salva* tion will supply the place of the strongest fortifications. (Compare* lx. 18,)

Isaiah 26:2

Openye the gates. The expression denotes the enlarging the number of believers,and bringing into the church daily such as should be saved. (Compare lx. 11. Rev. xxi. 25.) The prophet addresses himself to different persons in this song, and speaks sometimes in the singular and sometimes in the plural number, which is a grateful variety in poetry. (See the note upon Ixiii. 1.) • That the righteous nation, which keepeth the truth, may enter in.] The Jews are styled a holy nation s Exod. xix. 6. which title more properly belongs to the Christian church, (2 Pet. ii, 9.). especially when it comes to be purged from its dross, and all the members of it to be righteous. (Sec lx. 21.)

Isaiah 26:5

He bringeth down them that dwell on high. God will subdue those that pride themselves in their worldly power and greatness, (sec the note on ii. 11.) or trust in their castles and fortifications. (Compare xxv. 12.) The lofty city, he layeth it low.] As the church is styled the city of God, so the society of infidels, or enemies to God’s truth, is represented by the like similitude of a city, and typified under the figures of Sodom, Babylon, and that Jerusalem, which killed the prophets. (See llev. xii 8.) And this sense. I think best agrees with the scope of the place, and with the parallel texts, xxxv.2. 12. in neither of which places can the expression be understood of any one particular city.. Ver. G. TJiefoot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.] The planting of the gospel was a remarkable triumph over the power and wisdom of men, when " God chose the foolish things of the world, to confound the things which were wise; and the weak things of*the world, to confound the things which were mighty:" accordingly, under every advancement of Christ’s kingdom, the poor and humble; those who have despised the world, and have been despised by it, are to have a particular share in (he glory and success thereof. (See xi. 4. and the notes there:‘xxix. 19. lxi. 1. Zeph. iii. 12.)- If we understand the words of that last and great triumph of the church over antichrist and all its enemies (as many of the expressions in this and the former chapter look that, way), we may fitly explain the poor and needy here, to be those who shall escape out, of the great tribulation which shall precede those times, mentioned Dan. xii. 1. Rev. vii. 14;

Isaiah 26:7

Thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just. Or, make plain the path of the just. Thon, O God, who art the author of all goodness, dost direct his steps, and keep. him from falling. (See Psal. xxxvii. 23,24.) To this sense the verb pilles is used, Prov. iw26.

Isaiah 26:8

Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O’Lord, have we waited for thee. We have possessed our souls in pa-? tience under thy chastisements, (so judgments signify, ver. 9.) and have waited thy good time for our deliverance. The desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.] AVe desire and endeavour to stir up de-> vout affections in our souls towards thee, to possess our: minds with due apprehensions of the greatness of thy ma-*’ jesty, and the dependance we ought to have upon thy promises-r • " >

Isaiah 26:9

With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early. And these devout affections we stir up within us, both late at? night and early in the morning, when others give them-; selvesup to sleep and drowsiness. (Compare Psal. v. 3. Ixiii. 6. cxix. 55. 02. 147. exxx. (5.) \ For when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world ivill learn righteousness.] The afflictions thou r sendest have this good effect upon all but hardened sinners [ (sec the following verse), that they engage men to seek God, and turn to him whom they have offended.

Isaiah 26:10

In the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, i - and will not behold the majesty of the Lord. Though he lives among those who are remarkable for the regularity of their behaviour, among the people of God, or the righteous*, nation y mentioned ver. 2. yet will he not be prevailed upon • by their example, or the many demonstrations God hath) given of his power and. providence; (See ver. 11.)

Isaiah 26:11

But they shallsee, and be ashamed for their envy: at the people. They shall at last be forced, to give God the glory, and take shame upon themselves for the envy and hatred they have shewed towards God’s people. Some render the words thus, TJtey shall see thy zeal for the people,: and be ashamed: they shall be seized with confusion,’ when:,they see what a care and concern God hath for his people, and how. visibly he exerts, his power in protecting tliem,:: and punishing their adversaries.. In.this sense the Hebrew: word kinah is used in other places. (See Ixiii. 15. Zech. i. 14. viii. 2.) Yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.] The Divine vengeance, which shall consume God’s enemies like fire. (See Deut. iv. 24. xxxii. 22. Heb. x. 27.).

Isaiah 26:12

A nd the fortress of the high fort of thy walls shall lie bring down.* See xxvi. 5, . Lord, thou tvilt ordain peace for us, for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.] All the mercies and deliverances we have hitherto enjoyed, proceed only from thee; Avhich encourageth us to trust in thee for a happy issue out of all our troubles. »

Isaiah 26:13

O Loi’d our God, other lords have had dominion over tts, &c!. Meaning the Assyrians, Babylonians, and all the oppressors of God’s church in aftertimes: (compare 2 Chron. xii. 8.) but it is by thee only that we have been delivered out of their hands, and therefore upon thee alone » will we call as our Qod and Saviour. t.

Isaiah 26:14

They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise. These oppressors o^God’s peo- 1 pie shall never rise again, but to shame and everlasting’.contemjit, as it is said, Dan. xii. 2..\vhercas thy dead shall*