Isaiah 59:12,13 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

For our transgressions The word פשׁעונו, here used, signifies sins of a high nature, namely, such as were wilfully committed against light and knowledge; rebellious sins. Are multiplied before thee They admit of no excuse; for they are committed before thee, and multiplied against thee, whereby thou art justly provoked to deny us all help. And our sins testify against us The sins charged upon us are so many witnesses produced to prove our guilt. For our transgressions are with us Are still unforgiven, and we lie under the divine wrath on account of them. As for our iniquities, we know them We are convinced of them. In transgressing and lying, &c. He now enumerates some of those particular sins which they profess themselves to be convinced of; by which he does not mean the sins of some particular persons, or some slight sins, but a general defection and corruption of the whole body. Transgressing here, and lying, seem to be one and the same thing, inasmuch as in their transgressing the law of God, they broke their solemn engagement to God, made upon mount Sinai. Departing away from God Turning from God to idols. Speaking oppression, &c. As it were, talking of little else one among another, but how to oppress their neighbours, and apostatize from God. Conceiving and uttering That is, first contriving in their hearts false accusations against their neighbours, and false worship, to the dishonour of God; laying the contrivances so that they might be effectual, and then uttering them; from the heart And when they dealt with men in ways of fraud, it was from the heart; but when they spake with God, it was but from the lips.