Isaiah 63:5

5 I looked around, but I saw no one to help me. I was surprised that no one supported me. So I used my own power to save my people; my own anger supported me.

Isaiah 63:5 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 63:5

And I looked, and there was none to help
As, in the first redemption and salvation by Christ here on earth, there were none among the angels, nor any of the sons of men, to help him and assist him therein, none but Jehovah the Father; so, in this latter salvation, the church and people of God will be reduced to such a low, helpless, and forlorn condition, that there will be none to lend an assisting hand; their deliverance will appear most manifestly to be the sole work of almighty power: and I wondered that there was none to uphold;
not the Saviour and Redeemer, he needed none; but his people under their sufferings, trials, and exercises, and his sinking, dying, cause and interest: this is spoken after the manner of men, and to make the salvation appear the more remarkable, distinguishing, and great, and solely his own work; for otherwise expectation and disappointment, consternation and amazement, as the word F18 signifies, cannot be properly ascribed to this great Redeemer: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me;
to himself, his mystical self, his church and people, and for his own glory; a salvation which his own omnipotent arm could only effect; (See Gill on Isaiah 59:16), and my fury it upheld me;
his zeal for his church and people, and his indignation against their enemies, excited his almighty power on their behalf, and carried him through the work of their deliverance and salvation he engaged in; see ( Isaiah 9:7 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F18 (Mmwtvaw) "et obstupui, Musculus; stupefactus sum", Vatablus; "et obstupesceban", Cocceius; "stupebam", Vitringa.

Isaiah 63:5 In-Context

3 The Lord answers, "I have walked in the winepress alone, and no one among the nations helped me. I was angry and walked on the nations and crushed them because of my anger. Blood splashed on my clothes, and I stained all my clothing.
4 I chose a time to punish people, and the time has come for me to save.
5 I looked around, but I saw no one to help me. I was surprised that no one supported me. So I used my own power to save my people; my own anger supported me.
6 While I was angry, I walked on the nations. In my anger I punished them and poured their blood on the ground."
7 I will tell about the Lord's kindness and praise him for everything he has done. and for his goodness to the people of Israel. He has shown great mercy to us and has been very kind to us.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.