CHAP. XXVI.
A song of praise, with animating exhortations to trust in God, who gives his people peace, and victory over their most
f 26:5. Jer. 51:58,64. 2 Cor. 10: | g 13:19-22. 14:23.
4,5. Heb. 11:30. Rev. 18:21.
This is JEHOVAH; we have trusted in him; we will rejoice, and triumph, in his salvation."
Bp. Lowth.
Moab,
V. 10-12. ( Notes , 11:11-16. Num. 22:4. 24:16,17. Deut . 23:3–6. Jer. 9:25,26. Zeph . 2:8 -10.) Every enemy of the church, like Moab, shall be trodden down, as when the sheaves have been threshed the straw is trodden down upon the dunghill: a most energetic similitude to shew the contempt which will be poured upon them. (Marg. Ref. c.) The Lord shall also extend his powerful hands, on every side, to crush his obstinate foes; as the swimmer stretches forth his hands to their utmost extent, to support himself on the water.
Thus he will abase their pride, and spoil them of their prosperity; and reduce to the dust all their strong holds, and their most determined opposition. "God shall bring down their pride, with the sudden gripe of his hands." Bp . Lowth.
This seems the more accurate translation: the strong and powerful stroke of the hands and arms, used in swimming, is supposed, by some, to be alluded to. ( Notes , 13:1922. 26:5,6, 32:16—20.)-Perhaps an allusion to Christ, as lifted up on the cross, with his hands extended and nailed to it, might be intended, under the figure of the Lord's stretching forth his hands in the midst of his enemies. Then and there he spoiled and triumphed over the powers of darkness, and ensured the victory over every enemy for himself and his church. ( Note , Col. 2:13-15.)
haughty foes, 1-6. The conduct of the righteous and the wicked, when under divine judgments, 7-11. Recollections of past mercies to Israel, for an encouragement under present trials, 12-18. A call to the people of God, to wait in faita and hope for his salvation, and for the punishment of the wick ed, 19-21.
Na that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a
ก 2:11,20. 12:1. 24:21-23.25:9.
b 5:1. 27:1,2. Ex. 15:2-21.
Num. 21:17,18. Judg. 5: 2
5:19,20. Rev. 5:9-14. 7:9-17. 11:15-18.14:3. 15:3,4. 19:1
Sam. 22:1,&c. Jer. 33:11. Eph. c Ezra 3:11. Ps. 137:3,4.
whilst
tressed believers: and, having provided them a shelter from the storm of his righteous judgments, and taught ght them to flee to it, all the powers of earth and hell may in vain unite their force and fury: their tumult shall be silenced, their fury disappointed, and their pride and terrible power shall be brought low; wh the poor servants of God shall enjoy inward consolation in the midst of trouble, and at length a triumphant deliverance.
When the Father "loved us, and gave his Son to be a propitiation for our sins," he prepared a feast for our souls: the believer finds that "the flesh of Christ is meat indeed, and his blood drink indeed;" ( Notes , John 6:47-58. Р. О. 47-59 . ) and deriving from him pardon, peace, and a joyful hope, his "soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness," and exhilarated as with the richest wines. ( Notes , Ps . 63:5-8.) Yet this is only an antepast of that eternal feast which is intended for him: and there is no sinner of any nation, who should not be invited to this feast, and assured of a hearty welcome, if he come for it in the appointed way.--Blessed be God, the gospel has already rent in many places the thick covering, which was spread over the nations, and our land is favored with a glorious light: may all the inhabitants of it "walk in the light, and be the children of light!" and may the Lord destroy entirely the remains of this veil from every part of the Christian church, from the hearts of unbelieving Jews, and from the Mohammedan and Pagan nations!
This will in due time be effected, and the Sun of Righteousness shall illuminate every corner of the earth.-At length the Lord will come to judgment, the dead shall be raised, the books shall be opened, believers shall be welcomed, as the children of God, to their eternal inheritance, "death will be swallowed up in victory," "God shall wipe away all thein tears" and rebukes, and they shall "shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." In the day when they shall arise from the grave, and see their divine Redeemer come to perfect their felicity; with what energy of gratitude, love, joy, and triumphant exultation will they exclaim, "Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he hath saved us: this is JEHOVAH, we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation!"-But the same almighty arm, which is engaged to save his Church, is stretched forth to destroy all despisers.
He will then tread them under foot, with the utmost disdain and abhorrence. Those hands, which once were extended on the cross, to make way for our salvation, will be extended to destroy all impenitent sinners. Then his victory over the devil, and all his proud and potent servants, will be completed; every strong hold will be levelled; and the last enemy put under the Redeemer's feet. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; forasmuch, as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." ( Notes ,
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. True faith simply credits "the sure testimonies of God," as "a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation," and relies on his immutable truth to perform his promises: and thus the believer anticipates, and praises the Lord for future blessings, as if already in possession.
This faith influences every possessor to holy obedience and spiritual worship: and if we can on this ground be confident that the Lord is our God and Portion for ever; this will animate us with the desire of exalting and praising him among our fellow Christians, and fellow sinners, here on earth.-All his wonderful works, of creation, providence, and redemption, accord to his eternal counsels and decrees. He has already proved many of these counsels, which he revealed to his servants the prophets, to be "faithfulness and truth;" and in due time all the rest will be evidently accomplished.
Frequently he reduced powerful cities and splendid palaces into ruinous heaps, never to be rebuilt: because of the oppression of his people Israel. But since that nation crucified their Messiah, these interpositions in their favor have ceased; for ages they have been oppressed with apparent impunity; Jerusalem itself has been made a heap; and the Lord's care has been transferred from them to the Christian church: yet at the predicted time, he will again make of "the defenced city a ruin;" that "the strong people may glorify him," and reverence his holy name.
The Lord ever was, and ever will be, the Refuge of poor and dis-1 Cor . 15:54-58.)
3 Thou wilt keep him tin perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee.
4 * Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting Strength.
5 For he mbringeth down them that
d 60:18. 62:11. Ps. 48:12,13. 125:1.2. Zech. 2:5. Matt. 16: 18. Rev. 21:12-22.
e 60:11. 62:10. Ps. 118:19,20. Ez. 48:31-34. Zech. 8:2023. Acts 2:47. Rev. 21:13, 24-27.
Or, thought or imagination. h 31:1. 48:2. 50:10.
i 1 Chr. 5:20. 2 Chr. 13:18. 16: 8. Ps. 9:10. 84:11,12. 146:3- 6. Jer. 17:7,8. Rom. 4:18- 21.
k 12:2. 50:10. 2 Chr. 20:20. 32: 8. Ps. 55:22. 628. 115:9-11. Prov. 3:5,6.
-8. Ps. 106:5. 1 Pet. 2:9. 2 Pet. 3:13. Rev. 5:9.21:27. 22: 1 45:17,24. 63:1. Job 9:19. Ps. 14,15.
* Heb. truths. Jude 3.
g 9:6,7. 57:19-21. Ps. 85:7,8. Mic. 5:5. John 14:27. 16:33. Rom. 5:1. Eph. 2:14-16. Phil. 4:7.
† Heb. peace, peace.
46:1. 62:11.66:7. 93:1. Matt. 6:13. 28:18. Phil. 4:13.
Heb. the Rock of ages. 17: 10. 32:2. Deut. 32:4,15,31. 1 Sam. 2:2. Ps. 18:2,46.
m 2:12. 13:11. 14:13-15. 25:11. Job 40:11-13.
NOTES.
CHAP. XXVI. V. 1. The prophet seems still to keep in view the whole series of predicted events, which has been considered. The preservation of Jerusalem from the Assyrians, the return of the Jews from Babylon, and their deliverance from the persecutions of Antiochus Epiphanes, if at all meant, could only be regarded as types, or earnests, of more spiritual and glorious events.
For the day here especially intended, seems to be that future season, when the New Testament-Babylon shall be laid low and levelled with the ground. (25:2,12.) Then "this song shall be sung in the land of Judah," in the church of God: "We have a strong city," the "Jerusalem from above," which is far stronger than Babylon or Rome. ( Notes , 24:23. 60:15-22, υ. 18. Zech. 2:1-5, v. 5. Gal . 4:21-31, v . 26. Heb . 12:22-25.) For "salvation hath God appointed for walls and bulwarks:" the power, truth, and love of God, in Jesus Christ, render his church an impregnable fortress. (Marg.
Ref. -Notes, 5,6. 12:4-6. 25:9-12.) It is highly probable, likewise, that this prophecy will be literally accomplished, in the conversion of
dwell on high; "the lofty city he layeth it low: he layeth it low even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.
6 The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy. 7 The way of the just is uprightness thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just.
8 Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O Lord, shave we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
9 With my soul "have I desired thee
n 25:12. 32:19. 47:1. Jer. 50: 31,32. 51:25,26,37,64. Rev. 18:
3:5. 1 Cor. 4:5.
r 64:4,5. Num. 36:13. Job 23: 10-12. Ps. 18:23. 44:17,18. 106:3. 119:102. Mal. 4:4. Luke 1 :6.
s 25:9. 30:18.33:2. Ps. 37:3-7. Mic. 7:7. Acts 1:4,14. 2:1. Rom. 8:25. 2 Thes. 3:5. Jam. 5:7-11.
t 2 Sam. 23:5. Ps. 42:1,2. 63:1 -3.73:25. 77:10-12.84:2.143: 5,6. Cant. 1:2-4.2:3-5.5:8. u Ps. 63:6,7. 77:2,3. 119:62. 130: 6. Cant. 3:1-4. 5:2-8. Luke 6:12.
to the mind that leaneth on thee, &c." "This 'is to be taken for a man, who with his whole 'thought and soul confidently leans on God, 'through Jesus Christ, as it is explained at the 'end of the verse.'--The man, of whom this may be said, stays and rests his hope on the wisdom, power, truth, and mercy of God, in all his undertakings, difficulties, and perils; and refers his concerns to him, expecting direction, assistance, success, and comfort from him.
And thus the Lord keeps him in perfect peace, or "in peace, peace:" in every kind of peace, peace of conscience, tranquillity, resignation, confidence and cheerful expectation, proportioned to the degree in which the heart is thus stayed on God. Therefore an exhortation is annexed: "Trust in the LORD for ever," or perpetually and for eternity: for "in JAH JEHOVAH," the self-existent and unchangeable God, "is everlasting Strength:" He is "the Rock of ages," or of eternity. ( Notes , Deut . 32: 3,4. 2 Sam . 22:2,3. Ps . 62:1,2,8-10. 68:4. 112: 7.
John 14:1,27,28. 1 Pet . 1:17-21.)-This seems addressed to the church, to encourage her to wait patiently under her persecutions, in full expectation of the glorious times prepart of the church.
Israel, and their re-establishment in the prom-dicted; and thus to every true believer as a
ised land.
V. 2. The decisive victory, obtained over antichristian powers, will prepare the way for the immense enlargement of the church. Those who embrace and hold fast the truth as it is in Jesus Christ, become "a righteous nation," incorporated under his government, united among themselves, obedient to his laws, and safe under his protection. ( Notes , 1:25-27.60:10-14. Ps . 106:4,5. 1 Pet . 2:9,10.) Every new convert is enrolled as a citizen of this strong city: and ministers and Christians should unite by every effort to open the gates; that new converts from every part of the earth may be admitted to dwell in it and share its franchises. The calling of the Gentiles, in the primitive times, was a partial accomplishment of this prediction: but it will be more fully performed, when Judah and Israel shall be converted to the Savior, and "the fulness of the gentiles shall come in." (Notes, Luke 21: 20-24, υ. 24. Rom . 11:16-32.)
V. 5, 6. As the fall of Babylon was connected with the restoration of the Jews; so the total ruin of all antichristian powers, and of Rome, will make way for the established peace and prosperity of the church, and the restoration of Israel. This the Lord will speedily accomplish: the poor and needy will soon trample on the ruins of the strong holds of every Antichrist: and the most despised instruments, the witnesses who prophesy in sackcloth, and their despised followers, shall be able to execute the Lord's purposes. (Notes, 25:10--12. Ez . 39:21--29. Dan. 12:1. Zech. 10:5-12. 1 Cor . 1:26--31. Rev. 11:3-14.)
V. 7. Whilst the ungodly "know not at what they stumble," the righteous Lord makes the way of his upright servants plain and level: he removes obstructions and stumbling blocks; he proportions their strength to their trials; he watches over their steps, and guides them in the way of uprightness. ( Marg . Ref .)
V. 3, 4. "Thou preservest continued peace || "Thou wilt make equal the path of the right
name.
in the night; yea, with my spirit within | by thee only will we make mention of thy me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
10 Let favor be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the and of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the
LORD.
Ps. 63:1. Prov. 8:17. Matt. 6:33. Mark 1:35.
y 27:9. Num. 14:21-23. Ps. 64:9,10.83:18. Hos. 5:15. Rev. 11:13. 15:4.
63:9,10. Ex. 8:15,31,32. 9:34. Deut. 32:15. 1 Sam. 15:1723. Ps. 106:43. Prov. 1:32. Ec. 8:11. Hos. 13:6. Rom. 2:4,5.
a 24:5. 27:13. Ps. 78:54-58. 143:10. Jer. 2:7.31 23. Ez. 22.2,&c. Hos. 9:3. Mic. 2: 10. 3:10-12. Matt. 4:5. 23: 37. 24:15.
b 5:12. 22:11. Ps. 28:4,5. Hos. 11:7. John 5:37,38.
c Ps. 10:12. 106:26.
d 18:3. 1 Sam. 6:9. Jer. 5:3. 44:17-23.
Acts 28:27.
Mic. 5:9.
Job 34:27.
Mic. 6:9.
Εx. 9:14. 11:6,7.14:25. 1 Sam. 5:6-11 1 Kings 22:25. Jer. 44:28. Zech. 1:6. Luke 16:
23:
f 11:13. 60:14.66:5. Ps. 86:17. 1 Pet. 3:16. Rev. 3:9.
Or, towards thy.
g 5:24. 30:27,33. 64:2. 66:24. Deut. 32:22, Ps. 21:8,9. Mal. 4:1. Matt. 25:41. Mark 9:43 -49.2 Thes. 1:8. Heb. 12: 29. Rev. 19:20. 20:15.
h 3. 57:19,21. Ps. 29:11. 85:8. Prov. 16:7. Jer. 33:6. Mic. 5:5. John 14:27. 20:19,21. 2 Thes. 3:16.
i Deut. 30:6. Ps. 51:10. Jer. 31:33. 32:39,40. Ez. 36:25- 27. John 3:21. Eph. 2:10. Phil. 2:13. Heb. 13:20,21.
† Or, for us. Ps. 57:2. Ez. 20: 9,14,22.
k 51:22,23. 2 Chr. 12:8. Neh. 9:28,36,37. Jer. 50:17. Lam. 5:8. John 8:32-36. Rom. 6: 22. Tit. 3:3-7.
eous." ( Notes , 1 Sam . 2:3. Ps . 1:4-6. 25:8-10. 37:23,24. Ρrov . 4:18,19,26.)
V. 8,9. The prophet here declares how the servants of God behaved under their difficulties. They waited the performance of his promises, in the way of his commandments, or while enduring his chastisements. Their chief desire was to know and glorify his name, and to see him glorified, to keep his perfections and wonderful works in remembrance, and to act as in his immediate presence.
Each of them could say before God, that, in their retirements, and in the darkest seasons of adversity, they had sought him and his favor, with their inmost souls, and as their great concern: and they had witnessed or expected the desolating judgments, which had wasted, or would waste, the nations, in hope that the inhabitants would learn righteousness by means of them. ( Marg . Ref .-- Notes , Ps . 63:5,6. Cant . 3:1-5. Matt . 6:33,34.) Even 'in the night-season, when others sleep, hath 'my soul been taken up with thee.' Bp . Hall .
"I will seek thee at the dawn of day."--"With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea with my inmost spirit in the morn have I sought thee." Bp. Lowth. ( Note , 8:20.)
14 They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.
15 Thou hast increased the nation, O Lord, thou hast increased the nation: P thou art glorified: 9 thou hadst removed it far unto all the ends of the earth.
16 LORD, in trouble have they visited thee; they poured out a prayer, when thy chastening was upon them.
17 Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD
18 We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.
1 12:4. 48:1. Ex. 23:13. Josh. 23:7. Am. 6:10. 1 Cor. 4:7. 15:10. Heb. 13:15.
m 19. 8:19. 51:12,13. Ex. 14: 30. Ps. 106:28. Hab. 2:18- 20. Matt. 2:20. Rev. 18:2,3. 19:19-21.20:5.
14:19-22. Ps. 9:6. 109:13. Prov. 10:7.
09:3. 10:22. Gen. 12:2. 13:16. Num. 23:10. Deut. 10:22. Neh. 9:23. Jer. 30:19.
P 44:23. 60:21. Ps. 86:9,10. John 12:23-28.13:31,32. 15:8. 17:1. Rev. 11:15-18.
q 6:12. Deut. 4:27,28. 28:25,64. 32:26,27. 1 Kings 8:46,47. 2 Kings 17:6,23. 23:27. Jer. 32: 37. Ez. 5:12. 36:24. Luke
21:24.
r Deut. 4:29,30. Judg. 10:9,10. 2 Chr. 6:37,38. 33:12,13. Ps. 50:15. 77.1,2. 91:15. Jer. 22: 23. Hos. 5:15. 7:14. Rev. 3: 19.
s 1 Sam. 1:15. Ps. 42:4. 142:2. Lam. 2:19.
Heb. secret speech.
1 13:8. 21:3. Ps. 48:6. Jer. 4: 31. 6:24. 30:6. John 16:21. 1 Thes. 5:3.
u 37:3. 2 Kings 19:3. Hos. 13:
13.
x Ex. 5:22,23. Josh. 7:7-9.1 Sam. 11:13. 14:45.
y Ps. 17:14. John 7:7. 1 John 5:19 .
coveries of the glorious power and holiness of God! ( Note , 5:1-7. 9:13-17. Mic . 6:9.) Even his hand, when lifted up to inflict gentle punishments, or to threaten more terrible vengeance, was wilfully disregarded, and his judgments were ascribed to other causes. But the Lord would constrain them to see his hand, and be ashamed of their envy, and enmity to his people, by causing the fire prepared against his enemies to devour them: or, "They shall see with shame the zeal of thy people: yea, the fire shall burn up thy adversaries," or "thy zeal for thy people." Bp . Lowth . ( Marg . and Marg .
Ref .) This may be considered as the language of believers, acknowledging the justice of God, in giving up the Jews into the hands of the Chaldeans. It accords also to the conduct of that nation, previous to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans: and it will be verified in a still more stupendous manner, in those great events, which seem to be more immediately predicted. ( Notes , 1--6.)
V. 12--18. The church, or Israel, here addresses the Lord. Whatever desolations he brought on hypocritical nations, he would certainly "ordain peace" for his true people: he had wrought "all their works in them;" they were of that kind which his grace produces: ( Note , John 3:19-21.) or " for them;" he had often formerly made them to triumph over their enemies, and rendered their endeavors successful. ( Marg . Ref . †.) They had indeed often been subjected to other lords, who not only enslaved their bodies, but usurp
V. 10, 11. Impenitent sinners "despise the iches of the Lord's goodness and long-suffering;" (Note, Rom . 2:4--6.) and prosperity renders them less disposed than before, to receive the instructions of righteousness: so that in Israel, "the land of uprightness," where the means of grace were afforded, and good examples set, men generally continued unjust and profane, and shut their eyes to all the dis-led authority over their consciences, and harVOL. IV.
[89 assed them with persecutions: ( Notes , 51:17 -22.) but now by the grace of God, they hey were determined to make mention, as his worshippers and servants, of him alone; to renounce all idols, superstitions, and iniqui iniquities; and to expect from him only complete deliverance all oppressors. ( Note , 14:1-3, v. 3.) 'It is by thee only that we have been delivered 'out of their hands; and therefore upon thee 'alone will we call as our God and Savior.' Lowth. We may suppose this intended as the language of the church, in that crisis, when the New Testament-Babylon shall be destroyed, and the complete victory over all remain-1-3. 13:14. 14:4-8.) For the power of his when under persecutions and oppressions, to || the just, so he weighs and detects that of the
We may consider Christ himself as the Speaker, and addressing the church: his resurrection from the dead was the earnest of all the future deliverances which were predicted; and they are the continuation of that power which was then exerted. ( Note , Eph . 1:15-23.) Or the church may be considered as addressing God. Her cause is his also: those who have been put to death for his sake, and for righteousness? sake, are "his dead men," and shall live: he will recover her, as a dead body laid in the grave is miraculously raised to life again, by fully rest restoring her prosperity. (Notes, Hos . 6:
ing antichristian powers confidently expected. (Rev. 18: 19:) Their chief seducers and oppressing tyrants were now dead, and they would no more arise to usurp authority over them, for the Lord had visited and destroyed them with infamy. ( Notes , 19. Dan . 12:2,3. Rev. 20:4-6.) The righteous nation, beforementioned, (2) was indeed greatly increased, and God was glorified; and, instead of being confined to Judea, it was extended to all the ends of the earth.
This was done in answer to the prayers of his people in former times: when troubled by their persecutors and chastened for their sins, they waited on him, and poured out fervent supplications before him for deliverance. For a long time the church had been like a travailing woman, who endures all the pangs and anguish of child-birth, without obtaining the expected deliverance.
Thus, under long delays, the pious remnant had been in great distress, and waited, with wrestling prayers and anxious expectation, for the predicted deliverance: till they were ready to conclude, that those glorious times would never arrive; that they had misunderstood the prophecies; and had conceived false hopes, which would produce nothing but painful exertions and distressing disappointments.
For they had not been able to effect any important deliverances from their enemies, neither had the inhabitants of the world fallen, either into willing subjection to Christ, or as crushed by his power. The dispersion of Israel may be meant, by the clause, "Thou hast removed it to the ends of the earth," (15) but several things in the concluding verses of the chapter seem wholly inapplicable to them, in their unconverted state.
They are deceased, &c. (14) "They are deceased tyrants, they shall not rise." Bp . Lowth . )רפאים(. Notes 19. Prov . 2:18.
V. 19. ( Notes , Ez . 37:1-14.) The conversion of the Jews ws; the spiritual resurrection elsewhere predicted; ( Rev. 20:4.) and the flourishing of the church church, which had seemed dead, through the corruptions of popery, the prevalence of infidelity and various kinds of antichristianity, seem here especially foretold.
grace, (like the dew, or rain, that causes the herbs which seem dead to revive,) would be effectual to raise her from the lowest state of depression. (Note, 66:10-14, v . 14.)-The 'Hebrew runs thus, "My dead body ... shall 'arise." The noun is in the singular number, and the verb in the plural, for the singular is 'taken distributively for every dead body ( Ps . 12:7.) The two sentences "Thy dead 'men shall live," and "My dead bodies shall arise," are equivalent; they are called the ' church's dead , as members of that mystical 'body, and God's or Christ's dead ,... from the 'interest he hath in them, and because he hath 'promised to raise them up at the last day. ( John 6:39.)' Lowth .
In this figurative resurrection the deceased saints arise, but not the deceased persecutors. (14. Notes , Rev. 11:712. 20:4-6.) -The last clause may be rendered, "the land of tyrants shalt thou cause to fall," or, "shall she cause to fall;" that is, the church shall prevail against all oppressors, and cast them down.
The original word is often translated giants . ( Note , 12-18, υ. 14.) "But the earth shall cast forth, as an abor'tion, the deceased tyrants." The deliverance 'of the people of God from a state of the lowest 'depression is explained by images plainly 'taken from the resurrection of the dead. ... This deliverance is expressed with a mani'fest opposition to what is here said above (14) 'of the great lords and tyrants under whom 'they had groaned.
"They are dead, they shall 'not live; they are deceased tyrants, they shall 'not rise:" that they should be destroyed utter'ly, and should never be restored to their for'mer power and glory. It appears from hence, 'that the doctrine of the resurrection of the 'dead was at that time a popular and common 'doctrine: for an image which is assumed, to 'express or represent any thing, in the way of 'allegory or metaphor, whether poetical or
'prophetical, must be an image commonly 'known and understood; otherwise it will not auswer the purpose for which it is assumed.' Bp . Lowth .
V. 20, 21. The Lord, by his prophet, here exhorts his people, through successive ages.
wait with cheerful expectation for these glorious events. Let them retire from the world, and, by faith and prayer, take refuge in him, and patiently wait the event. Thus, as Noah in the ark, as the Israelites in Egypt eating the passover, while the blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled on the lintel and door-posts, ( Note , Ex . 12:22,23.) or as one sheltered in a secret chamber, they would be safe and uninterrupted, amid the heaviest storms: and in a very little time, the vindictive wrath of their enemies, and the corrections of their Father, would terminate.
For the Lord was about to remove from his mercy-seat, (his place in Israel) to the tribunal of justice, in order to pass sentence, and inflict punishment, on the wicked; ( Note , Hos . 5:15.) but especially upon the murderers of his people: and then the immense quantities of blood, which had been shed in wars, persecutions, and oppressions, would be disclosed in the open view of the world, and all the murderers without exception receive condign punishment. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , Gen. 4:10-12. Num . 35:31-34. Ez . 24:6-8. Matt . 23:34-36.
Rev. 6:9-17. 17:6. 19:1-6.)-Let any one carefully compare this chapter with the latter part of the Revelation, from the sixteenth to the twentieth chapter inclusive; let him especially consider the vengeance to be executed on those, "who were drunk with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus;" and the two descriptions of persons distinguished as rising or not rising, at the entrance of the millennium, (Note, Rev. 20:4-6.) and then let him determine whether the prophet Isaiah, and the apostle John, do not predict precisely the same
events.
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
V. 1-11.
The citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, whose "names are written in the book of life," are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation." "The immutable promise and oath of the Lord, securing the everlasting covenant, and all his infinite perfections engaged for its accomplishment, are the impregnable walls and bulwarks of this strong city, which will still stand secure, when the earth and all its works shall be burnt up. ( Notes , Rev. 21:) He himself has given orders, that the gates of this city should be "open to every one that keepeth the truth," to every one who, by repentance and faith, becomes one of that righteous and holy nation, which is governed by our incarnate Immanuel: and his ministers should take care that every hindrance to the establishment of the humble believer, may be removed, and that sinners may be encouraged to join themselves to the Lord.-Blessed indeed are they who trust in God!
Proportioned to our holy confidence in him, shall be our unspeakable peace: and he deems himself bound in honor to answer the expectations of all, who renounce every other dependence, to rely on his faithful word.
Let us then "acknowledge him in all our ways," rely on him in all our difficulties, and fear no enemies: for if "the LORD JEHOVAH, in whom is everlasting Strength," be for us, "who can be against us?" By him, the poor of his people shall set their feet upon the necks of their most insulting enemies: and, in prospect of that victory, should triumph in his praises during their sharpest conflicts. But he, to whom these privileges belong, walks in the even path of uprightness. Our righteous God abhors hypocrisy; and, as in perfect faithfulness he directs the path of
deceiver, and appoints him his portion with the unbelievers. (P. O. Dan . 5:18-31.)- Those who trust in the Lord, must also wait on him in his ordinances, expecting his promised blessings at the appointed time: and if his favor, and the discoveries of his glory, are desired as our felicity, they will solace us in solitude and affliction; nay, we shall then especially seek the Lord with earnestness, and with our whole heart.
The believer knows in his own case, that corrections are a salutary means of producing a teachable disposition, and submission to the will of God: and this encourages his hope and prayer, that the miseries, which he witnesses on every side, may be sanctified to "the inhabitants of the world, that they may learn righteousness." Yet he cannot but observe, that neither prosperity nor adversity alone will produce this happy effect: for numbers, who hear and profess the gospel, and are conversant with the most honorable Christians, continue to do wickedly; nay, to envy the people, and hate the holiness, of God.
On such, alas! mercies and corrections are alike unavailing: and they close their eyes and hearts against conviction, against conviction, till his wrath destroy them; and then they see, and are confounded on account of their wickedness and madness. Let us then most earnestly beg of God to sanctify all our trials and comforts, "to prepare our hearts unto himself," and to number us among his chosen people. ( Notes , 63:15-19. 64: 1 Chr . 29:10-19. Ps . 10:17,18, υ. 17.)
V. 12-21.
If the Lord produce in us a penitent, teachable, believing, obedient disposition; he "will ordain peace for us," and cause all to work together for our final good. We all, indeed, have been under the dominion of other lords, and have willingly served them: but the true Christian relies on grace alone, renounces all his former masters, and purposes henceforth to serve the Lord and him only.
And he will as surely be made victorious over every one of those evil propensities and habits, which once had dominion over him; and still harass, distress, and alarm him; as the church will triumph over every usurping tyrant, and at length triumphantly rejoice, that they are all extirpated, never more to revive, or give him any further disturbance. But, in this life the believer has much trouble from the remaining power of sin, and is often exposed to painful corrections; yet this puts vigor into his prayers, and keeps him a coustant supplicant at the throne of grace.
Sometimes, however, he is ready to conclude, that all his efforts are vain, and that no deliverance has been, or can be, effected. But let him persevere in watching, prayer, and steady resistance to temptation, though again and again foiled.
The power of God will revive his drooping graces, and destroy his strongest enemies: soon death will terminate the conflict, the soul will then join the assembly of just inen made perfect; the body shall at length be raised from the dust, no longer corruptible, subject to disease, or contaminated by sin; but spiritual, holy, and glorious, and bearing the image of "the second Adam, the Lord from heaven." ( Notes , 1 Cor. 15:50-58.
Phil. 3:20,21.)--Thus the church also shall at length be victorious, in her long continued conflict with saccessive generations of implacable foes; and, they will all be overwhelmed with infamy, or sink into oblivion. The prayers of ancient believers have been answered, the church has been very greatly increased, and God has been glorified in enlarg