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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 57:17-21

The body of the people of Israel, in this account of God's dealings with them, is spoken of as a particular person (Isa. 57:17, 18), but divided into two sorts, differently dealt with?some who were sons of peace, to whom peace is spoken (Isa. 57:19), and others who were not, who have nothing to do with peace, Isa. 57:20, 21. Observe here, I. The just rebukes which that people were brought under for their sin: For the iniquity of his covetousness I was wroth, and smote him. Covetousness was a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 57:19

I create the fruit of the lips ,.... Which is praise and thanksgiving, Hebrews 13:16 that is, give occasion of it, afford matter for it, by restoring comforts to the church and its mourners, as in the preceding verse; and by giving peace, as in all the following words. The Targum renders it, "the speech of the lips in the mouth of all men;' as if it respected that blessing of nature, speech, common to all mankind: whereas this is a blessing of grace, peculiar to some that share in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 57:20

But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest ,.... Disturbed by winds, storms, and hurricanes, when its waves rise, rage, and tumble about, and beat against the shore and sand, threatening to pass the bounds fixed for it. In such like agitations will the minds of wicked men be, through the terrors of conscience for their sins; or through the malice and envy in them at the happiness and prosperity of the righteous, now enjoyed, upon the downfall of antichrist; and through the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 57:19

I create the fruit of the lips - "The sacrifice of praise," saith St. Paul, Hebrews 13:15 , "is the fruit of the lips." God creates this fruit of the lips, by giving new subject and cause of thanksgiving by his mercies conferred on those among his people, who acknowledge and bewail their transgressions, and return to him. The great subject of thanksgiving is peace, reconciliation and pardon, offered to them that are nigh, and to them that are afar off, not only to the Jew, but also to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 57:15-21

A PROMISE OF SALVATION TO THE HUMBLE AND PENITENT , WITH A FURTHER THREAT AGAINST THE WICKED . The prophet, in this portion of his discourse, whereof "comfort" is the key-note ( Isaiah 40:1 ), can never continue threatening long without relapsing into a tone of tenderness and pity. He now sets against his long denunciation (in Isaiah 57:3-12 ) an ample promise ( Isaiah 57:15-19 ), and against his brief encouragement (in Isaiah 57:13 , Isaiah 57:14 ) a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 57:15-21

The character of Jehovah I. HIS EXALTATION . "High and holy:" high because holy, exalted far above the meanness of human thoughts and the impurity of human ways. Far above creatures of all species and all ranks, it is needless further to designate him. He is the Incomparable One. He dwells in eternity (cf. Isaiah 9:6 ). His Name is "the Holy One" ( Isaiah 1:4 ; Isaiah 30:11 ; Isaiah 40:25 ; Isaiah 41:14 ; Isaiah 43:3 , Isaiah 43:8 ; Isaiah 47:4 ); his place the high and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 57:17-21

The course of the soul. These words of Isaiah indicate the course which the human spirit often takes in its downward and upward path. We have— I. THE ESSENCE OF INIQUITY — THIS IS SELFISHNESS . "The iniquity of his selfishness," as it may be rendered. Whether it takes the specific form of rapacity, of unholy ambition, of self-indulgence or of any other special sin, you may trace iniquity home to the evil spirit of selfishness—the withholding from God, for self, of that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 57:19

I create the fruit of the lips ; literally, creating the fruit of the lips. The clause is best attached to the preceding verse. By his tender treatment of the wanderers, God brings forth fruit from their lips in the shape of praise and thanksgiving. Peace, peace; or, perfect peace , as in Isaiah 26:3 . Judah's prophets were apt to say to her, " Peace, peace ," when there was no peace ( Jeremiah 6:14 ; Jeremiah 8:11 ; Ezekiel 13:10 ). Isaiah is now commissioned to give the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 57:20

The wicked are like the troubled sea . A striking metaphor, but one which occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament, and once only in the New ( Jude 1:13 ). The sea's restless action well expresses the unquiet of the wicked; and the mud and mire that it casts up resembles their evil thoughts and evil deeds. "There is no peace" for such persons, either bodily or spiritual, either in this world or the world to come. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 57:20-21

The unrest of the wicked. "But the wicked are like the sea that is tossed up, for it cannot rest, and its waters toss up mire and mud" (Cheyne). Comp. Jud Isaiah 1:13 for the figure. It is curious to note the marked contrast between our ideas and sentiments concerning the sea, and those of ancient times and Eastern lands. To us it is the beautiful shining sea, and many of us feel that we must see it at least once a year. To us it is the most soothing and calming of Nature's influences, and... read more

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