Isaiah 57:9-19

9 You went to the king with oil and multiplied your perfumes; you sent your envoys far away and sent [them] down even to Sheol.
10 You became weary on your many journeys, [but] you did not say, "I give up!" You found a renewal of your strength;[a] therefore you did not grow weak.
11 Who was it you dreaded and feared, so that you lied and didn't remember Me or take it to heart? Have I not kept silent for such a long time[b] and you do not fear Me?
12 I will expose your righteousness, and your works-they will not profit you.
13 When you cry out, let your collection [of idols] deliver you! The wind will carry all of them off, a breath will take them away. But whoever takes refuge in Me will inherit the land and possess My holy mountain.

Healing and Peace

14 He said, "Build it up, build it up, prepare the way, remove [every] obstacle from My people's way."
15 For the High and Exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy says this: "I live in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed[c] and lowly of spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the oppressed.
16 For I will not accuse [you] forever, and I will not always be angry; for then the spirit would grow weak before Me, even the breath [of man], which I have made.
17 Because of his sinful greed I was angry, so I struck him; I was angry and hid;[d] but he went on turning back to the desires of his heart.
18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and comfort him and his mourners,
19 creating words of praise."[e] The Lord says, "Peace, peace to the one who is far or near, and I will heal him.

Isaiah 57:9-19 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 57

This chapter contains complaints of the stupidity and idolatry of the people, described in the latter part of the preceding chapter; and some promises of grace to the people of God. The stupidity of the former is observed, Isa 57:1 they not taking notice of the death of good men, nor of impending calamities they were taken from, whose happiness is described, Isa 57:2, then these idolatrous people are summoned before the Lord, Isa 57:3 and are charged with deriding the saints with idolatry and murder, Isa 57:4-6 and their idolatry is represented under the notion of adultery, attended with very aggravating circumstances, Isa 57:7-9 and yet these people still entertained presumptuous hopes of happiness, and boasted of, and trusted in, their righteousness and good works, which would be exposed, and be of no advantage to them, Isa 57:10-12, next follow promises of grace to the saints, that such that trusted in Christ should inherit the holy mountain, Isa 57:13 that the stumblingblock of his people should be removed, Isa 57:14, that he should dwell with the humble and contrite, Isa 57:15, and not be always wroth and contend with them, for a reason given, Isa 57:16 and that though he had smote them, and hid his face from them because of their sins, yet would heal them, lead them, and comfort them, and speak peace unto them, Isa 57:17-19 and the chapter is concluded with the character of the wicked, and an assurance that there is no peace for them, Isa 57:20,21.

Footnotes 5

  • [a]. Lit found life of your hand
  • [b]. MT, DSS; LXX reads And I, when I see you, I pass by
  • [c]. Isa 53:5-10
  • [d]. Lit him; hiding and I am angry
  • [e]. Lit creating fruit of the lips
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