Isaiah 26:7

7 Lord, you make the path smooth for good people; the road they travel is level.

Isaiah 26:7 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 26:7

The way of the just [is] uprightness
Or, "the way for the just is uprightnesses" F19, most upright; the way which is appointed for him, and which he is directed to walk in, is a way of righteousness and holiness, and in which he does walk; he walks uprightly, according to the rules of the word, becoming the Gospel of Christ, and worthy of his calling: or, it is "evennesses"; a most plain and even way, in which men, though fools, shall not err, ( Isaiah 35:8 ) or, "the way" of the Lord "to the just is uprightnesses", or "evennesses"; most upright, or most even; there is no inequality in it, though sometimes so charged, ( Ezekiel 18:25 Ezekiel 18:29 ) it is entirely agreeable to justice, equity, and truth; regular and even, and suited to all his perfections of wisdom, goodness F20: thou most upright;
these words are addressed to God, and contain an appellation and description of him, who is upright, just, and true, and loves upright and righteous persons; so Kimchi and Ben Melech take the word to be in the vocative case, and as an address to God; though some render them, "he is upright" F21; that is, the just man is upright, whose way is uprightness; but the former sense best agrees with what follows: dost weigh the path of the just;
observe, consider, and approve of it, as being according to rule, and agreeable to his mind and will, ( Psalms 1:6 ) or, "thou dost level" or "make even the path of the just" {w}; remove all impediments and obstructions out of it, direct his goings, order his steps, and cause him to walk in a straight way, wherein he shall not stumble, ( Jeremiah 31:9 ) and so this is a reason given why the way of the just is even, because it is made so by the Lord himself.


FOOTNOTES:

F19 (Myrvym qydul xrwa) "via justo rectitudines", Vatablus.
F20 For this note, I am indebted to my learned, pious, and ingenious friend, the Rev. Mr. Hervey; see Theron and Aspasio, vol 2. Dialog. 13. p. 225. Ed 3.
F21 (rvy) "rectus est", De Dieu.
F23 (olpt) "aequabis", Vatablus. So Ben Melech explains it by (rvwy) , making a thing plain and even.

Isaiah 26:7 In-Context

5 He has humbled those who were proud; he destroyed the strong city they lived in, and sent its walls crashing into the dust.
6 Those who were oppressed walk over it now and trample it under their feet.
7 Lord, you make the path smooth for good people; the road they travel is level.
8 We follow your will and put our hope in you; you are all that we desire.
9 At night I long for you with all my heart; when you judge the earth and its people, they will all learn what justice is.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.