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Isaiah 26

21 verses

TL;DR

A hymn of hope and judgment declaring God's eternal strength, urging trust in Him while warning of the downfall of the proud.

Summary

The chapter opens with a promise that a song of praise will be sung in Judah’s land, highlighting God’s provision of a strong city and salvation as walls and bulwarks. It calls the righteous to open the gates and trust in the LORD’s everlasting strength. The text condemns the lofty who are humbled, notes that even the poor tread on the ruined city, and affirms the uprightness of God’s judgments. The people pray for peace, proclaiming that only God deserves mention, while the wicked are warned that they will not learn righteousness. The passage ends with a call to conceal themselves temporarily, foretelling the LORD’s coming judgment and the earth’s exposure of blood. Ultimately it presents a vision of restoration, where the dead will arise and a new dawn will break.

Outline
  1. Praise of God’s strength and instruction to trust
  2. Condemnation of the proud and hope for justice
  3. Call for concealment and anticipation of restoration
Themes
Trust in GodDivine justiceHope and restoration
Keywords
trustjusticerighteousnesssalvationjudgmenthopepeace
People
LORDthe righteous nationthe poor and needythe wicked
Places
Judahthe land of Judahthe citythe earth
Things
strong citywalls and bulwarkssalvationjudgmentpeacedewfire
Key Verses
  • Isaiah 26:4: Affirms the LORD’s everlasting strength and calls for steadfast trust
  • Isaiah 26:7: Highlights the righteous path and God’s weighty justice
  • Isaiah 26:10: Warns that the wicked will not learn righteousness
  • Isaiah 26:15: Emphasizes God’s expansion of the nation and His glory
  • Isaiah 26:21: Forecasts the LORD’s judgment and the earth’s exposure of sin
Questions
  • What does trusting in the LORD look like in moments of uncertainty?
  • How does the text balance divine judgment with the promise of restoration?
  • In what ways can the call to conceal ourselves reflect modern spiritual practice?
  • What does the imagery of the city’s fall reveal about societal pride?
Sentiment

mixed
the chapter contains hopeful praise but also condemning judgment