Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryIsaiah 26

The Blessings of the GospelThis chapter is a song of praise for the blessings that come with the gospel. It celebrates the safety, peace, and joy found in God’s people. The song is sung “in that day,” meaning the time when God’s promises are fulfilled. The land of Judah, which represents the church, is filled with praise because of God’s grace and protection. The gospel brings both glory to God and comfort to His people.v. 1: The church is described as a strong city. We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks . God Himself protects His people, just as strong walls protect a city. This city is for everyone who is saved by God’s promise. Those who belong to God are safe, because His salvation is their defense (1 Peter 1:4 ).

v. 2: The gates of this city are open for the righteous. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in . People who trust and obey God are welcomed in. Even if they were once rejected, now they are invited to come in and live in God’s city. Righteous people are a blessing to any place, and God wants them to be part of His people.

v. 3: God promises perfect peace to those who trust Him. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee . If you keep your thoughts and heart fixed on God, He will give you peace inside and out. Trusting God brings calmness, even when there is trouble in the world (Psalm 112:7 ).

v. 4: The people are told to always trust in the Lord

The Goodness and Justice of GodIn this section, the prophet encourages us to trust in the Lord

v. 7: God sees and cares about the way His people live. The way of the just is evenness . God makes the path of good people smooth, helping them over difficulties and giving them grace. He removes things that could cause them to stumble (Psalm 119:165 ). God shows Himself to be upright with those who follow Him.

v. 8-9: Even in times of trouble, God’s people wait for Him and desire Him deeply. In the way of thy judgments we have waited for thee . When God corrects us, we still hope in Him, trusting His mercy (Psalm 123:2 ). Our greatest desire should always be for God’s name and presence, even in dark times or at night. We should seek God with our whole heart, longing for Him above all else (Psalm 42:1 ).

God sends His judgments to teach people righteousness. When thy judgments are upon the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness . God’s discipline is meant to correct people and bring them to repentance (Psalm 94:12 ). Some will learn and turn to God, but others remain stubborn.

v. 10: Some people do not change, even when God shows them kindness. Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness . Even in a land where God is honored and His word is preached, some continue to do wrong. They ignore God’s majesty and do not care about His warnings.

v. 11: God gives many warnings, but some people refuse to see them. LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see . But one day, they will see God’s anger and be ashamed for opposing His people. God’s zeal for His people will confound His enemies, and those who hate God’s people will be punished. The fire of his enemies shall devour them. God sees those who hurt His people as His own enemies and will deal with them in justice.

Goodness of God to Israel; Israel Corrected for Sin; Prospects of the ChurchIn these verses, the prophet looks back at God’s work in the lives of His people, both in giving blessings and in sending correction. He remembers how God has helped Israel, but also how sin led to trouble and suffering. Still, there is hope for the future, as God promises peace and restoration for His people. The passage teaches us to give God the glory for every good thing, to turn to Him when in trouble, and to trust His power to revive and restore.v. 12: The prophet praises God, saying, Lord

v. 13: Israel remembers that in the past, other lords besides thee have had dominion over us . This means that sometimes enemies ruled over Israel, either because of their own sins or because they followed false gods. Now they promise to serve and praise only the true God. We can also learn from this, deciding to give up every “lord” or sin in our lives and worship only God.

v. 14: The enemies who once ruled over God’s people are now gone. They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise . God has judged them and wiped out even their memory. Every power that opposes God will one day be destroyed forever.

v. 15: The prophet remembers how God increased the nation. Thou hast increased the nation, O Lord

v. 16: When Israel was in trouble, they turned to God. Lord

v. 17-18: The prophet describes Israel’s hope and disappointment. Like a woman in labour, they struggled and cried out, but did not see the results they expected (Isaiah 26:17-18 ). Their efforts seemed to come to nothing, and their hopes were not fulfilled. Sometimes, even when we pray and try hard, things may not change right away, but God still sees and cares.

v. 19: There is hope for the future. Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise . God promises a resurrection and restoration for His people. Those who feel hopeless or as if they are in the dust will be revived. This points to both spiritual revival and the final resurrection, when all believers will rise with Christ (Ezekiel 37:10; Revelation 11:11 ). God’s people are encouraged to rejoice and sing, knowing that God’s power can bring life out of death and hope out of despair.

The Sure RefugeIn these verses, God answers His people’s complaints and encourages them to trust in Him during times of trouble. He invites His people to find safety in Him, promises that their troubles will not last long, and assures them that He will judge those who do evil. This passage teaches believers to seek shelter in God, to be patient in suffering, and to trust that justice will come.v. 20: God calls His people to come into their rooms and hide for a little while. Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast . This means believers should separate themselves from evil and trust God to protect them, just as Noah entered the ark or Israel stayed indoors during the Passover (Exodus 9:21; 2 Corinthians 6:17 ; Psalm 27:5 ). God’s presence, His promises, and prayer are our safe places in times of danger. The trouble will not last long—it is only for a little while.

v. 21: God promises to punish those who have done evil, especially those who have hurt His people. For, behold, the Lord