Isaiah 59:19-20

19 From the west, people will fear the name of the LORD, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the LORD drives along.^[a]

20 “The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,” declares the LORD.

Isaiah 59:19-20 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.

Cross References

• 1. S Isaiah 49:12; S Matthew 8:11
• 2. S Psalms 113:3
• 3. Psalms 97:6; S Isaiah 24:15; Isaiah 35:2; Isaiah 40:5; Isaiah 52:10; Isaiah 66:18
• 4. S Isaiah 11:4
• 5. S Job 19:25; Isaiah 60:16; Isaiah 63:16
• 6. S Isaiah 52:8; S Joel 3:21
• 7. S Job 22:23; S Isaiah 1:27; S Jeremiah 35:15; Acts 2:38-39; Romans 11:26-27*

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "When enemies come in like a flood," / "the Spirit of the " Lord"will put them to flight"