Isaiah 26:7

7 The path of right-living people is level. The Leveler evens the road for the right-living.

Isaiah 26:7 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 26:7

The way of the just [is] uprightness
Or, "the way for the just is uprightnesses" F19, most upright; the way which is appointed for him, and which he is directed to walk in, is a way of righteousness and holiness, and in which he does walk; he walks uprightly, according to the rules of the word, becoming the Gospel of Christ, and worthy of his calling: or, it is "evennesses"; a most plain and even way, in which men, though fools, shall not err, ( Isaiah 35:8 ) or, "the way" of the Lord "to the just is uprightnesses", or "evennesses"; most upright, or most even; there is no inequality in it, though sometimes so charged, ( Ezekiel 18:25 Ezekiel 18:29 ) it is entirely agreeable to justice, equity, and truth; regular and even, and suited to all his perfections of wisdom, goodness F20: thou most upright;
these words are addressed to God, and contain an appellation and description of him, who is upright, just, and true, and loves upright and righteous persons; so Kimchi and Ben Melech take the word to be in the vocative case, and as an address to God; though some render them, "he is upright" F21; that is, the just man is upright, whose way is uprightness; but the former sense best agrees with what follows: dost weigh the path of the just;
observe, consider, and approve of it, as being according to rule, and agreeable to his mind and will, ( Psalms 1:6 ) or, "thou dost level" or "make even the path of the just" {w}; remove all impediments and obstructions out of it, direct his goings, order his steps, and cause him to walk in a straight way, wherein he shall not stumble, ( Jeremiah 31:9 ) and so this is a reason given why the way of the just is even, because it is made so by the Lord himself.


FOOTNOTES:

F19 (Myrvym qydul xrwa) "via justo rectitudines", Vatablus.
F20 For this note, I am indebted to my learned, pious, and ingenious friend, the Rev. Mr. Hervey; see Theron and Aspasio, vol 2. Dialog. 13. p. 225. Ed 3.
F21 (rvy) "rectus est", De Dieu.
F23 (olpt) "aequabis", Vatablus. So Ben Melech explains it by (rvwy) , making a thing plain and even.

Isaiah 26:7 In-Context

5 Those who lived high and mighty he knocked off their high horse. He used the city built on the hill as fill for the marshes.
6 All the exploited and outcast peoples build their lives on the reclaimed land.
7 The path of right-living people is level. The Leveler evens the road for the right-living.
8 We're in no hurry, God. We're content to linger in the path sign-posted with your decisions. Who you are and what you've done are all we'll ever want.
9 Through the night my soul longs for you. Deep from within me my spirit reaches out to you. When your decisions are on public display, everyone learns how to live right.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.