←Isaiah 26→BSB

• Our city refers to Zion, the eternal city of God, where the Lord is present to protect and bless his people (see 1:8, 27; see also Ps 46). Zion stands in direct contrast to the “mighty cities” of the nations (Isa 25:2; 26:5), which are helpless and are brought down to “ruins.”
• The walls of God’s salvation protectively enclose his people; no one can hurt them again.

Open access is given to all who, like God and his Messiah, are righteous and faithful. The citizens of true Zion are committed to the Lord.

A perfect peace, marked by harmony, quietness, and confidence, is a benefit of the new creation.

The proud and arrogant are often characterized as exalting themselves (see 2:11–12), whereas God humbles them.

Justice finally occurs when the needy walk all over the ruins of the city where the proud have perished.

God will do what is right for those who walk in his way, even if they have to suffer a while longer (see 24:16). One day, they will experience harmony and integrity (see Prov 2:8–9; 15:19).

• we show our trust (see 26:3–4; literally we wait for you): Waiting involves trust in the Lord and longing for his redemption.
• People express their commitment to God by obeying his laws; mere lip service is not sufficient.

I search . . . I earnestly seek: Cp. Ps 63:1.

God has shown kindness to the wicked. Although they deserve judgment (see also Rom 2:4; 2 Pet 3:9), he has been patient and forbearing and has blessed them. However, time will run out one day.

• An upraised fist expresses anger and the threat of judgment (see also 19:16).
• Fire was often an image for God’s judgment.

This verse is a confident expression of thanks for God’s blessings. In Isaiah’s time, during King Hezekiah’s prosperous reign, the borders of the nation of Israel were extended, and people gave glory to God for his great deeds.

While waiting for God’s salvation (26:1), the godly were in distress and longed for their vindication. They prayed beneath the burden of God’s discipline. In Hezekiah’s time, Judah was in distress when Sennacherib attacked and destroyed the whole nation except for Jerusalem.

The imagery of a pregnant woman in childbirth describes the nation’s pain when Assyrian king Sennacherib attacked it in 701 BC (see 37:3).

Only God can give salvation and bring life (see 59:9–15).

those who die . . . will live: There is hope for the remnant. Some hold the minimal interpretation that this means the people would be restored to the land after the Exile (see Ezek 37:11–12) or that the Lord would preserve Jerusalem (see Isa 29:4, 6–8). More likely it refers to the resurrection of the body from the grave (see 25:7–8). The Old Testament has little to say about the resurrection, but this text anticipates fuller development in the New Testament (see 1 Cor 15:12–58).

God will punish the wicked, so the godly should go home and stay out of the way.

The wicked retain power now, but their oppressive rule will end in the day of the Lord’s wrath, when he will punish them for their sins.