Isaiah 59:10-20

10 We grope like the blind [along] a wall, and we grope {as without} eyes. We stumble at noon as [in] the twilight; among the strong [we are] like the dead.
11 We all groan like bears, and we coo mutteringly like doves. We wait for justice, but there is none; for salvation, [but] it is far from us.
12 For our transgressions are numerous before you, and our sins {testify} against us. Indeed, our transgressions [are] with us, and we know our iniquities:
13 transgressing and denying Yahweh, and turning {away from following} our God; speaking oppression and falsehood, conceiving and uttering words of deception from [the] heart.
14 And justice is pushed back, and righteousness stands afar; for truth stumbles in the public square, and straightforwardness is unable to enter,
15 and truth is missing, and he who turns aside from evil [is] plundered. And Yahweh saw, and it was displeasing in his eyes that there was no justice
16 And he saw that there was no man, and he was appalled that there was no one who intercedes, so his arm came to assist him, and his righteousness {was what} sustained him.
17 And he put on righteousness like [a] breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head, and he put on garments of vengeance [for] clothing, and he wrapped [himself in] zeal as [in a] robe.
18 According to deeds, so he will repay; wrath to his enemies, requital to those who are his {enemies}. He will repay requital to the coastlands.
19 So they shall fear the name of Yahweh from [the] west, and his glory from the sunrise, for he will come like [a] narrow stream; the wind of Yahweh drives it on.
20 "And a redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn away from transgression," {declares} Yahweh.

Isaiah 59:10-20 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.

Footnotes 8

Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.