Isaiah 1:2 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Hear, O heavens, &c. “God is introduced as entering upon a solemn and public action, or pleading, before the whole world, against his disobedient people. The prophet, as herald, or officer, to proclaim the summons to the court, calls upon all created beings, celestial and terrestrial, to attend and bear witness to the truth of his plea, and the justice of his cause.” Bishop Lowth. See the same scene more fully displayed, Psalms 50:3-4. With the like invocation Moses begins his sublime song, Deuteronomy 32:1; see also Micah 6:1-2. For the Lord hath spoken Or, It is Jehovah that speaketh, as Bishop Lowth renders it, there seeming to be an impropriety in demanding attention to a speech already delivered. I have nourished, &c. I first made them a people, and, until this time, I have sustained and blessed them above all other nations: God's care over them is compared to that of parents in nursing and training up their children. And they have rebelled against me Or, as פשׁעו בי may be rendered, have revolted from me Even they, peculiarly favoured as they have been, have proved deserters, nay, traitors, against my crown and dignity. This is the Lord's plea against them, of the equity of which he is willing that all the creatures should be judges.