Isaiah 26

Isaiah 26:1-21 . CONNECTED WITH THE TWENTY-FOURTH AND TWENTY-FIFTH CHAPTERS. SONG OF PRAISE OF ISRAEL AFTER BEING RESTORED TO THEIR OWN LAND.

As the overthrow of the apostate faction is described in the twenty-fifth chapter, so the peace of the faithful is here described under the image of a well-fortified city.

1. strong city--Jerusalem, strong in Jehovah's protection: type of the new Jerusalem ( Psalms 48:1-3 ), contrasted with the overthrow of the ungodly foe ( Isaiah 26:4-7 Isaiah 26:12-14 Revelation 22:2 Revelation 22:10-12 , &c.).
salvation . . . walls--( Isaiah 60:18 , Jeremiah 3:23 , Zechariah 2:5 ). MAURER translates, "Jehovah makes His help serve as walls" ( Isaiah 33:20 Isaiah 33:21 , &c.).
bulwarks--the trench with the antemural earthworks exterior to the wall.

2. Address of the returning people to the gates of Jerusalem (type of the heavenly city, Hebrews 12:22 ); ( Psalms 24:7 Psalms 24:9 , 118:19 ). Antitypically ( Revelation 22:14 , Revelation 21:25 Revelation 21:27 ).
righteous nation--that had not apostatized during the captivity. HORSLEY translates, "The nation of the Just One," namely, the Jews.

3. mind . . . stayed--( Psalms 112:7 Psalms 112:8 ). Jesus can create "perfect peace" within thy mind, though storms of trial rage without ( Isaiah 57:19 , 4:39 ); as a city kept securely by a strong garrison within, though besieged without (so Philippians 4:7 ). "Keep," literally, "guard as with a garrison." HORSLEY translates, (God's) workmanship (the Hebrew does not probably mean "mind," but "a thing formed," Ephesians 2:10 ), so constantly "supported"; or else "formed and supported (by Thee) Thou shalt preserve (it, namely, the righteous nation) in perpetual peace."

4. Lord JEHOVAH--Hebrew, Jah, Jehovah. The union of the two names expresses in the highest degree God's unchanging love and power (compare Psalms 68:4 ). This passage, and Isaiah 12:2 , Exodus 6:3 , Psalms 83:18 , are the four in which the English Version retains the JEHOVAH of the original. MAURER translates, "For JAH (the eternal unchangeable One, Exodus 3:14 ) is JEHOVAH, the rock of ages" (compare Isaiah 45:17 , Deuteronomy 32:15 , 1 Samuel 2:2 ).

5. lofty city--Babylon; representative of the stronghold of the foes of God's people in all ages ( Isaiah 25:2 Isaiah 25:12 , 13:14 ).

6. poor--( Isaiah 25:4 ), the once afflicted Jewish captives. "Foot shall tread," is figurative for exulting in the fall of God's enemies ( Revelation 18:20 ).