Isaiah 59:9-11

A Confession of Wickedness

9 Therefore * 1justice is far from us, And righteousness does not overtake us; We 2hope for light, but behold, darkness, For brightness, but we walk in gloom.
10 We 3grope along the wall like blind men, We grope like those who have no eyes; We 4stumble at midday as in the twilight, Among those who are vigorous we are 5like dead men.
11 All of us growl like bears, And 6moan sadly like doves; We hope for 7justice, but there is none, For salvation, but it is far from us.

Isaiah 59:9-11 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 7

  • 1. Isaiah 59:14
  • 2. Isaiah 5:30; Isaiah 8:21, 22
  • 3. Deuteronomy 28:29; Job 5:14
  • 4. Isaiah 8:14, 15; Isaiah 28:13
  • 5. Lamentations 3:6
  • 6. Isaiah 38:14; Ezekiel 7:16
  • 7. Isaiah 59:9, 14
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