Isaiah 35:3

3 Comfort ye the tired hands and strengthen the knees that tremble.

Isaiah 35:3 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 35:3

Strengthen ye the weak hands
These are the words of the prophet, as the Targum,

``the prophet said, strengthen the weak hands;''
or rather of God, by the prophet, to the converted Gentiles, to those who saw the glory of the Lord; particularly to the ministers of the Gospel, who have to do with weak and feeble persons, who can scarcely lift up their hands, or stand upon their legs, under a sense of sin, in a view of wrath, and immediate ruin and destruction, ready to sink and faint, because of their enemies, or through want of food; and their business is to comfort and strengthen them, by preaching the Gospel, and pointing out the promises of it to them: and confirm the feeble knees;
that so they may keep their ground against their enemies; shake off their fears and trembling; go on their way courageously and rejoicing; run, and not be weary; walk, and not faint: "hands" and "knees" are mentioned particularly, because a man's strength lies greatly in them; and his weakness is seen by the languor and trembling of them.

Isaiah 35:3 In-Context

1 The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the lily.
2 It shall blossom abundantly and shall also praise and sing for joy; the honour of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the beauty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD and the beauty of our God.
3 Comfort ye the tired hands and strengthen the knees that tremble.
4 Say to those that are of a fearful heart, Be comforted, fear not; behold, your God comes with vengeance, with recompense; God himself will come and save you.
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010