Isaiah 57:11

Most critics detect in this verse a milder tone on the part of the Divine speaker, as if He would find a partial excuse for the apostasies of the people in their undue fear of other gods, and distrust of Jehovah, who had so long time kept silence (cf. ch. Isaiah 51:12 f., Isaiah 42:14). If this impression be right, the theory that the Samaritans are the persons addressed at once falls to the ground. Another view is, however, possible. The question of whom hast thou been afraid and feared? may imply a simple negative answer, "thou hast been absolutely fearless." The language of the verse yields itself to either interpretation.

that thou hast lied Or, "for thou art treacherous."

have not I held my peace, &c. Or "Is it not so? I have been silent" etc.: "It was because I held my peace that thou didst not fear me, but other gods." Cf. Psalms 50:21 ("These things thou didst and I kept silence" etc).

even of old (Isaiah 42:14). The LXX. and Vulg. evidently vocalised the word differently (מַעְלִם for מֵעֹלָם), so as to read "and covered (sc. my eyes)"; (cf. Psalms 10:1; Isaiah 1:15).