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Isaiah 26:1-21 open_in_new
1. Salvation, etc.] the assurance of divine protection takes the place of material bulwarks.
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Isaiah 26:4 open_in_new
Everlasting strength] RM 'a rock of ages.' Rock is applied as a title to God (Isaiah 30:29; Deuteronomy 32:4).
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Isaiah 26:5 open_in_new
Lofty city] the power hostile to God's people (Isaiah 24:10).
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Isaiah 26:7 open_in_new
Uprightness] 'straightness,' implying freedom from impediment. Weigh] RV 'direct.'
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Isaiah 26:8 open_in_new
In the way of thy judgments] i.e. in the way which God, by His judgments or decrees, set out for His people to walk in. The context (Isaiah 26:7) shows this to be the meaning. Thy name] i.e. the manifestation of thyself. The remembrance of thee] RV 'thy memorial,' a synonym for 'name': Exodus 3:15.
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Isaiah 26:9 open_in_new
Night] the season of meditation (Psalms 4:4).
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Isaiah 26:10 open_in_new
Carries on the thought of Isaiah 26:9. God's judgments are necessary, because His favour is ineffectual.
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Isaiah 26:11 open_in_new
But they shall see, etc.] RV 'but they' (the adversaries) 'shall see thy zeal for the people' (Israel: cp. Isaiah 63:15.) 'and be ashamed; yea, fire shall devour thine adversaries.'
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Isaiah 26:12 open_in_new
In us] RV 'for us.'
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Isaiah 26:13 open_in_new
Other lords] the oppressors of Israel. Perhaps the prophet also has in mind the deities in whose name they professed to act. Make mention, etc.] i.e. celebrate Thy name in praise.
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Isaiah 26:14 open_in_new
They are dead] i.e. the oppressors.
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Isaiah 26:15 open_in_new
The nation] i.e. Israel. Thou hadst, etc.] RV 'thou hast enlarged all the borders of the land.'
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Isaiah 26:18 open_in_new
The fruitlessness of human effort.
Fallen] i.e. been born.
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Isaiah 26:19 open_in_new
Thy dead.. arise] RV 'Thy dead shall live; my dead bodies shall arise.' The pronouns 'thy' and 'my' both refer to Israel. The passage seems to imply that for God's people, as opposed to the heathen (Isaiah 26:14), the prophet expected a literal resurrection. Some think, however, that a national restoration, surpassing all expectation, is set forth under the figure of resurrection from the dead, as in Hosea 6:2; Ezekiel 37:1-10. Herbs] RM 'light': i.e. morning dew (Psalms 110:3).
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Isaiah 26:20 open_in_new
Israel may retire and be secure, while the divine judgments pass by.
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Isaiah 26:21 open_in_new
Disclose her blood] so that it may cry for vengeance (Genesis 4:10-11).