For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
Isaiah here applies the parable. It is no mere human owner, nor a literal vineyard that is meant.
For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts (is) the house of Israel - His only one (Exodus 19:5; Amos 3:2).
And the men of Judah his pleasant plant - `the plant of his delight;' just as the farmer was at pains to select the Sorek, or "choicest vine" (Isaiah 5:2), so God's election of the Jews.
He looked for judgment - justice.
But behold oppression. The play upon words is striking in the Hebrew. 'He looked for Mishpat (H4941), but behold mispaach (H4939)' (bloodshed).
For righteousness, but behold a cry - for tsªdaaqaah (H6666), but behold tsª`aaqaah (H6818), the cry that attends anarchy, covetousness, and dissipation (Isaiah 5:8; Isaiah 5:11-12). Compare the cry of the rabble by which justice was overborne in the case of Jesus Christ (Matthew 27:23-24).