Isaiah 59:16-18

16 He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.
17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
18 According to what they have done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due.

Isaiah 59:16-18 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.

Cross References 11

  • 1. S Isaiah 41:28
  • 2. S Isaiah 53:12
  • 3. S Isaiah 51:5; Psalms 98:1; Isaiah 63:5
  • 4. Isaiah 45:8,13; Isaiah 46:13
  • 5. Ephesians 6:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:8
  • 6. Ephesians 6:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:8
  • 7. S Job 27:6; Isaiah 63:3
  • 8. S Isaiah 1:24
  • 9. S Isaiah 9:7; Ezekiel 5:13
  • 10. S Leviticus 26:28; S Numbers 10:35; S Isaiah 34:8; S Matthew 16:27
  • 11. Isaiah 11:11; Isaiah 41:5
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