Isaiah 26 - Introduction

For the general scope and design of this chapter, see the remarks at the commencement of Isaiah 24 and Isaiah 25:1. It is a song of praise supposed to be sung by the Jews on their return to their own land, and in the re-establishment of the government of God with the ordinances of worship on Mount Zion. It was usual, as has been already remarked, to celebrate any great event with a song of praise, and the prophet supposes that the recovered Jews would thus be disposed to celebrate the goodness of Yahweh in again restoring them to their own land, and to the privileges of their own temple service. There are some indications that this was designed to be sung with a chorus, and with alternate responses, as many of the Psalms were. The ode opens with a view of Jerusalem as a strong city, in which they might find protection under the guardianship of God Isaiah 26:1. Then there is a response, or a call, that the gates of the strong city should be open to receive the returning nation Isaiah 26:2.

This is followed by a declaration of the safety of trusting in Yahweh, and a call on all to confide in him Isaiah 26:3. The reason of this is stated Isaiah 26:5, that Yahweh humbled the proud, and guarded the ways of the just. The confidence of the Jews in Yahweh is next described Isaiah 26:3, Isaiah 26:9; and this is followed by a declaration Isaiah 26:10 that the wicked would not recognize the hand of God; and by an assertion that all their deliverance had been performed by God Isaiah 26:12. This is succeeded by an acknowledgment that they had submitted to other lords than Yahweh; but that now they would submit to him alone Isaiah 26:13. The declaration succeeds that God had enlarged their nation Isaiah 26:15; and this is followed by a description of their calamities, and their abortive efforts to save themselves Isaiah 26:16. Many had died in their captivity, yet there is now the assurance that they should live again Isaiah 26:19; and a general call on the people of God to enter into their chambers, and hide themselves there until the indignation should be overpast Isaiah 26:20, with the assurance that Yahweh would come forth to punish the oppressors for their iniquity Isaiah 26:21. With this assurance the poem closes.