Loading...

Change Translation

Loading...
  • Recent Translations
  • All Translations

Isaiah 59:15-21

Listen to Isaiah 59:15-21
15 Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him[a] that there was no justice.
16 1He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.
17 2He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in 3zeal as a cloak.
18 4According to their deeds, so will he repay, wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies; 5to the coastlands he will render repayment.
19 6So they shall fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; 7for he will come like a rushing stream, [b] which the wind of the Lord drives.
20 8“And 9a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression, ” declares the Lord.
21 “And as for me, 10this is my covenant with them, ” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, 11and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring, ” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore. ”

Isaiah 59:15-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 59

As the former chapter declares the hypocrisy and formality of professors of religion; this expresses the errors and heresies, immorality and profaneness, which shall prevail before the spiritual reign of Christ, or the latter day glory begins; which is so fully described in the next chapter. Reasons are given of God's withdrawing his presence from a professing people, which were not want of power and readiness in him, but their own sins and transgressions, Isa 59:1,2 which are enumerated, such as murder, rapine, lies Isa 59:3-8 for which the judgments of God were upon them, darkness, distress, and misery, of which they were sensible, Isa 59:9-11 and confess their sins and transgressions, Isa 59:12,13 and lament their wretched state and condition, which was displeasing to God, Isa 59:14,15 who is represented as appearing for their salvation; moved to it by their want of help, and the oppression of their enemies, in which he shows his power, justice, zeal, grace, and goodness, Isa 59:16-18 the consequence of which shall be the conversion and salvation of many, owing to the efficacy of the divine Spirit, and to the spiritual coming of the Redeemer, Isa 59:19,20, and the chapter is closed with a promise of the continuance of the Spirit of God, and the Gospel of Christ in his church, unto the end of the world, Isa 59:21.

Unlock Deeper Insights: Get Over 20 Commentaries with Plus! Subscribe Now

Cross References 11

  • 1. 59:16 [ch. 51:18; 63:5]
  • 2. 59:17 1 Thess. 5:8; See Eph. 6:13-17
  • 3. 59:17 [ch. 9:7]
  • 4. 59:18 ch. 63:4, 6
  • 5. 59:18 [ch. 41:1, 5]
  • 6. 59:19 [Ps. 113:3]
  • 7. 59:19 [ch. 30:27, 28]
  • 8. 59:20 Cited Rom. 11:26, 27; [ch. 40:9; Joel 2:32]
  • 9. 59:20 ch. 43:14
  • 10. 59:21 Jer. 31:31; Heb. 8:10; 10:16
  • 11. 59:21 ch. 51:16; [Deut. 4:10]

Footnotes 2

  • [a] 59:15 Hebrew 'and it was evil in his eyes'
  • [b] 59:19 Hebrew 'a narrow river'
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025

Study Tools

PLUS

Unlock Notes

This feature is for PLUS subscribers only. Join PLUS today to access these tools and more.

JOIN PLUS

Unlock Highlights

This feature is for PLUS subscribers only. Join PLUS today to access these tools and more.

JOIN PLUS

Unlock Bookmarks

This feature is for PLUS subscribers only. Join PLUS today to access these tools and more.

JOIN PLUS

Track Your Reading

Create a free account to start a reading plan, or join PLUS to unlock our full suite of premium study tools.

Already have an account? Sign in