Isaiah 33:20-22 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Bible Comments

Look upon Zion Contemplate Zion's beauty and safety, and her glorious and peculiar privileges; the city of our solemnities This was the chief part of Zion's glory and happiness, that God was solemnly worshipped, and the solemn assemblies and feasts kept in her. Thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, &c. What is here predicted was but very obscurely and imperfectly fulfilled in the literal Zion; but was, and will be, clearly and fully accomplished in the mystical Zion, the church of God, in the times of the gospel, against which we are assured the gates of hell shall not prevail, Matthew 16:18. There In and about Zion, the glorious Lord will be a place of broad rivers Though we have nothing but a small and contemptible brook to defend and refresh us, yet God will be as sure a defence, and source of consolation to us, as if we were surrounded with great rivers. Wherein shall go no galley No ships of the enemies shall be able to come into this river to annoy us. For the Lord is our judge To judge for us, to plead our cause against our enemies, as the ancient judges of Israel did. The Lord is our lawgiver, &c. Our chief governor, to whom it belongs to give laws, and to defend his people.

Isaiah 33:20-22

20 Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.

21 But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.

22 For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver,e the LORD is our king; he will save us.