Isaiah 63:5

5 I was amazed when I looked and saw that there was no one to help me. But my anger made me strong, and I won the victory myself. 1

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 trampled the nations like grapes, and no one came to help me. I trampled them in my anger, and their blood has stained all my clothing.
4 I decided that the time to save my people had come; it was time to punish their enemies.
5 I was amazed when I looked and saw that there was no one to help me. But my anger made me strong, and I won the victory myself.
6 In my anger I trampled whole nations and shattered them. I poured out their lifeblood on the ground."
7 I will tell of the Lord's unfailing love; I praise him for all he has done for us. He has richly blessed the people of Israel because of his mercy and constant love.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 63.5Isaiah 59.16.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.