---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Isaiah 26"
description: "CHAPTER 26   :-. CONNECTED WITH THE
TWENTY-FOURTH AND
TWENTY-FIFTH CHAPTERS.
SONG OF PRAISE
OF ISRAEL AFTER
BEING RESTORED
TO THEIR OWN
LAND. As the overt"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/isaiah/26"
---

CHAPTER 26

. CONNECTED WITH THE
TWENTY-FOURTH AND
TWENTY-FIFTH CHAPTERS.
SONG OF PRAISE
OF ISRAEL AFTER
BEING RESTORED
TO THEIR OWN
LAND.
As the overthrow of the apostate
faction is described in the twenty-fifth chapter, so the peace of the
faithful is here described under the image of a well-fortified city.

**1. strong city**—Jerusalem,
strong in Jehovah's protection: type of the new Jerusalem (), contrasted with the overthrow of the ungodly foe
([Isaiah 26:4-7](../../../kjv/isaiah/26/4-7); [Isaiah 26:12-14](../../../kjv/isaiah/26/12-14);
[Revelation 22:2](../../../kjv/revelation/22/2); [Revelation 22:10-12](../../../kjv/revelation/22/10-12),
c.).
**salvation . . . walls**—
([Isaiah 60:18](../../../kjv/isaiah/60/18) [Jeremiah 3:23](../../../kjv/jeremiah/3/23);
[Zechariah 2:5](../../../kjv/zechariah/2/5)). MAURER
translates, "Jehovah makes His help serve as walls"
([Isaiah 33:20](../../../kjv/isaiah/33/20); [Isaiah 33:21](../../../kjv/isaiah/33/21),
&c.).
**bulwarks**—the trench
with the antemural earthworks exterior to the wall.

**2.** Address of the returning
people to the gates of Jerusalem (type of the heavenly city, ); ([Psalms 24:7](../../../kjv/psalms/24/7); [Psalms 24:9](../../../kjv/psalms/24/9);
[Psalms 118:19](../../../kjv/psalms/118/19)). Antitypically
([Revelation 22:14](../../../kjv/revelation/22/14); [Revelation 21:25](../../../kjv/revelation/21/25);
[Revelation 21:27](../../../kjv/revelation/21/27)).
**righteous nation**—that
had not apostatized during the captivity. HORSLEY
translates, "The nation of the Just One," namely, the Jews.

**3. mind . . . stayed**— ([Psalms 112:7](../../../kjv/psalms/112/7);
[Psalms 112:8](../../../kjv/psalms/112/8)). Jesus can create
"perfect peace" within thy mind, though storms of trial
rage without ([Isaiah 57:19](../../../kjv/isaiah/57/19); [Mark 4:39](../../../kjv/mark/4/39));
as a city kept securely by a strong garrison within, though besieged
without (so [Philippians 4:7](../../../kjv/philippians/4/7)). "Keep,"
literally, "guard as with a garrison." HORSLEY
translates, (God's) workmanship (the *Hebrew* does not probably
mean "mind," but "a thing *formed,*" [Philippians 4:7](../../../kjv/philippians/4/7)), so constantly "supported"; or else "formed
and supported (by Thee) Thou shalt preserve (it, namely, the
righteous nation) in perpetual peace."

**4. Lord J****EHOVAH******—*Hebrew, Jah, Jehovah.* The union of the two names
expresses in the highest degree God's unchanging love and power
(compare [Psalms 68:4](../../../kjv/psalms/68/4)). This
passage, and [Isaiah 12:2](../../../kjv/isaiah/12/2); [Exodus 6:3](../../../kjv/exodus/6/3);
[Psalms 83:18](../../../kjv/psalms/83/18), are the four in which
the *English Version* retains the JEHOVAH
of the original. MAURER
translates, "For JAH
(the eternal unchangeable One, [Psalms 83:18](../../../kjv/psalms/83/18)) is JEHOVAH, the
rock of ages" (compare [Isaiah 45:17](../../../kjv/isaiah/45/17);
[Deuteronomy 32:15](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/32/15); [1 Samuel 2:2](../../../kjv/1-samuel/2/2)).

**5. lofty city**—Babylon;
representative of the stronghold of the foes of God's people in all
ages ([Isaiah 25:2](../../../kjv/isaiah/25/2); [Isaiah 25:12](../../../kjv/isaiah/25/12);
[Isaiah 13:14](../../../kjv/isaiah/13/14)).

**6. poor**— (), the once afflicted Jewish captives. "Foot shall
tread," is figurative for *exulting* in the fall of God's
enemies ([Revelation 18:20](../../../kjv/revelation/18/20)).

**7. uprightness**—rather, "is
direct," that is, is directed by God to a *prosperous issue,*
however many be their afflictions in the meantime (as in the case of
the Jewish exiles); the context requires this sense ([Psalms 34:19](../../../kjv/psalms/34/19);
[Proverbs 3:6](../../../kjv/proverbs/3/6); [Proverbs 11:5](../../../kjv/proverbs/11/5)),
[MAURER]: thus "way"
means *God's dealings with the righteous* ([Proverbs 11:5](../../../kjv/proverbs/11/5)).
**most upright**— ([Proverbs 11:5](../../../kjv/proverbs/11/5)).
**dost weigh**— ([1 Samuel 2:3](../../../kjv/1-samuel/2/3);
[Proverbs 5:21](../../../kjv/proverbs/5/21)). Rather, "thou
dost make plain and level" [MAURER],
removing all obstacles ([Isaiah 40:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/40/3);
[Isaiah 40:4](../../../kjv/isaiah/40/4)).

**8. way of thy judgments**—We
have waited for Thy proceeding to *punish* the enemy ([Isaiah 26:9](../../../kjv/isaiah/26/9);
[Isaiah 26:10](../../../kjv/isaiah/26/10)) [MAURER].
HORSLEY translates [Isaiah 26:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/26/7);
[Isaiah 26:8](../../../kjv/isaiah/26/8), "The path of *the
Just One* is perfectly even; an even road Thou wilt level for the
Just One, *even the path of Thy laws,* O Jehovah. We have
expected Thee."
**name . . . remembrance**—the
manifested *character* of God by which He would be *remembered*
([Isaiah 64:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/64/5); [Exodus 3:15](../../../kjv/exodus/3/15)).

**9. With, . . . soul . . .
I**—literally, "I . . . my soul," in apposition; the
faithful Jews here speak *individually.* The overthrow of the
foe and the restoration of the Jews are to follow upon *prayer*
on the part of the latter and of all God's people ([Isaiah 62:1-4](../../../kjv/isaiah/62/1-4);
[Isaiah 62:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/62/6); [Isaiah 62:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/62/7);
[Psalms 102:13-17](../../../kjv/psalms/102/13-17)).
**in the night**— ([Psalms 63:6](../../../kjv/psalms/63/6);
[Song of Solomon 3:1](../../../kjv/song-of-solomon/3/1)).
**world . . . learn . . .
righteousness**—the remnant left after judgments ([Psalms 58:10](../../../kjv/psalms/58/10);
[Psalms 58:11](../../../kjv/psalms/58/11); [Zechariah 14:16](../../../kjv/zechariah/14/16)).

**10. uprightness**—rather, as in
[Isaiah 26:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/26/7), "prosperity,"
answering to "favor" in the parallelism, and in antithesis
to "judgments in the earth" ([Isaiah 26:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/26/7)); where prosperity attends the wicked as well as the just,
"he will not learn righteousness," therefore *judgments*
must be sent that he may "learn" it [MAURER].

**11. lifted up**—to punish the
foes of God's people. They who *will* not see *shall* be
made to "see" to their cost ().
**their envy at the people**—that
is, "Thy people." LOWTH
translates, "They shall see with confusion *Thy zeal for Thy*
people."
**fire of . . . enemies**—that
is, the fire to which Thine enemies are doomed ().

**12. peace**—God's favor,
including all blessings, temporal and spiritual, opposed to their
previous trials ([Psalms 138:8](../../../kjv/psalms/138/8)).

**13. other lords**—temporal;
heathen kings ([2 Chronicles 12:8](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/12/8); [2 Chronicles 28:5](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/28/5);
[2 Chronicles 28:6](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/28/6)), Nebuchadnezzar, c.
Spiritual also, idols and lusts ([2 Chronicles 28:6](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/28/6)).
**by thee only**—It is due
to Thee alone, that we again worship Thee as our Lord [MAURER].
"(We are) Thine only, we will celebrate Thy name"
[HORSLEY]. The sanctifying
effect of affliction ([Psalms 71:16](../../../kjv/psalms/71/16)
[Psalms 119:67](../../../kjv/psalms/119/67); [Psalms 119:71](../../../kjv/psalms/119/71)).

**14. They**—The "other
lords" or tyrants ().
**shall not live**—namely,
again.
**deceased**—*Hebrew,*
"Rephaim"; powerless, in the land of shades ([Isaiah 14:9](../../../kjv/isaiah/14/9);
[Isaiah 14:10](../../../kjv/isaiah/14/10)).
**therefore**—that is,
inasmuch as. Compare "therefore" ([Genesis 18:5](../../../kjv/genesis/18/5);
[Genesis 19:8](../../../kjv/genesis/19/8)).

**15. hast**—prophetical preterite
([Isaiah 9:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/9/3)).
**hast removed . . . far . . .
ends of . . . earth**—rather, "Thou hast extended far all
the borders of the land" [VITRINGA].

**16. visited**—sought.
**poured out**— (), as a vessel emptying out all its contents.
**prayer**—literally, "a
whispered prayer," *Margin,* "a secret sighing"
to God for help (compare [Jeremiah 13:17](../../../kjv/jeremiah/13/17);
[Deuteronomy 8:16](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/8/16)).

**17.** An image of anguish
accompanied with expectation, to be followed by joy that will cause
the anguish utterly to be forgotten. Zion, looking for deliverance,
seemingly in vain, but really about to be gloriously saved ([Micah 4:9](../../../kjv/micah/4/9);
[Micah 4:10-13](../../../kjv/micah/4/10-13); [Micah 5:1-3](../../../kjv/micah/5/1-3);
[John 16:21](../../../kjv/john/16/21); [John 16:22](../../../kjv/john/16/22)).

**18. brought forth wind**—MICHAELIS
explains this of the disease *empneumatosis.* Rather, "wind"
is a figure for that which proves an *abortive effort.* The "we"
is in antithesis to "Thy," "my" (), what *we* vainly attempt, *God* will
accomplish.
**not wrought . . . deliverance
in . . . earth**—literally, "the land (Judea) is *not made
security,*" that is, is not become a place of security from
our enemies.
**neither . . . world
fallen**—The "world" at large, is in antithesis to "the
earth," that is, Judea. The world at enmity with the city of God
has not been subdued. But MAURER
explains "fallen," according to *Arabic* idiom, of the
*birth* of a child, which is said to *fall* when being
born; "inhabitants of the world (*Israel,* ; not the world in general) are not yet born"; that is,
the country as yet lies desolate, and is not yet populated.

**19.** In antithesis to , "They (Israel's foes) shall not live"; "Thy
(Jehovah's) dead men (the Jews) shall live," that is, primarily,
*be restored, spiritually* (), *civilly and nationally* (); whereas Thy foes shall not; ultimately, and in the
fullest scope of the prophecy, *restored to life literally*
([Ezekiel 37:1-14](../../../kjv/ezekiel/37/1-14); [Daniel 12:2](../../../kjv/daniel/12/2)).
**together with my dead
body**—rather, "my dead body," or "bodies"
(the Jewish nation personified, which had been spiritually and
civilly dead; or the nation, as a parent, speaking of the *bodies*
of her children individually, see on [Daniel 12:2](../../../kjv/daniel/12/2), "I," "My"): Jehovah's "dead"
and "my dead" are one and the same [HORSLEY].
However, as Jesus is the antitype to Israel ([Daniel 12:2](../../../kjv/daniel/12/2)), *English Version* gives a true sense, and one
ultimately contemplated in the prophecy: *Christ's* dead body
being raised again is the source of Jehovah's people (*all,* and
especially believers, the spiritual Israelites) also being raised
([1 Corinthians 15:20-22](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/15/20-22)).
**Awake**— ([1 Corinthians 15:20-46](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/15/20-46)), spiritually.
**in dust**—prostate and
dead, spiritually and nationally; also literally ([Isaiah 25:12](../../../kjv/isaiah/25/12);
[Isaiah 47:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/47/1)).
**dew**—which falls
copiously in the East and supplies somewhat the lack of rain ([Isaiah 47:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/47/1)).
**cast out . . . dead**—that
is, shall bring them forth to life again.

**20. enter . . . chambers**—When
God is about to take vengeance on the ungodly, the saints shall be
shut in by Him in a place of safety, as Noah and his family were in
the days of the flood ([Genesis 7:16](../../../kjv/genesis/7/16)),
and as Israel was commanded not to go out of doors on the night of
the slaying of the Egyptian first-born ([Exodus 12:22](../../../kjv/exodus/12/22);
[Exodus 12:23](../../../kjv/exodus/12/23); [Psalms 31:20](../../../kjv/psalms/31/20);
[Psalms 83:3](../../../kjv/psalms/83/3)). The saints are calmly
and confidently to await the issue ([Exodus 14:13](../../../kjv/exodus/14/13);
[Exodus 14:14](../../../kjv/exodus/14/14)).

**21.** ([Micah 1:3](../../../kjv/micah/1/3);
[Judges 1:14](../../../kjv/judges/1/14)).
**disclose . . . blood**—
([Genesis 4:10](../../../kjv/genesis/4/10); [Genesis 4:11](../../../kjv/genesis/4/11);
[Job 16:18](../../../kjv/job/16/18); [Ezekiel 24:7](../../../kjv/ezekiel/24/7);
[Ezekiel 24:8](../../../kjv/ezekiel/24/8)). All the innocent blood
shed, and all other wrongs done, so long seemingly with impunity,
shall then be avenged ([Revelation 16:6](../../../kjv/revelation/16/6)).

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