Isaiah 40:29-31

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:29

He who has power alone can give it. "He giveth power to the faint." "The final verses of this chapter are remarkable for the frequent occurrence of 'fainteth' and 'is weary.' They come in every sentence, and if we note their use we shall get the essence of the hope and consolation which the prophet was anointed to pour into the wounds of his own people, and of every heavy-laden soul since then. Notice how, first, the prophet points to the unwearied God; and then his eyes drop from heaven to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:29-31

The need and the gift of spiritual power. What Israel wanted in captivity the Church of Christ now needs in its present situation, surrounded by an unsympathizing or even hostile world. It lacks power to do that which it was created to accomplish. Potentially, it has within itself all that is required to complete the great work of regeneration which its Divine Master began; in simple fact and in sad reality, it has failed to discharge its function. Every Church should be a great power for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:30

Shall faint … shall fall ; rather, should even the youths faint and be weary , and should the young men utterly fall , yet they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength , etc. The two clauses of Isaiah 40:30 are "concessive." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:30

Spiritual faintness. "Even the youths shall faint," ere. Then faintness is not a matter of age. Exhausted power may belong to youth. We are to learn that natural spirits are not enough for this great campaign. Health and energy will do much for the earthly soldier, and for the young mountaineer on the Swiss Alps. But it is otherwise here. From beginning to end of the Divine life we shall faint and fail unless God be with us to inspire and strengthen us. I. YOUNG EXPERIENCES . It is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:31

They shall mount up with wings as eagles (comp. Psalms 103:5 : and, for the use of the eagle as a metaphor for strength, see Exodus 19:4 ; Deuteronomy 32:11 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 40:31

Renewal of strength. "They that wait upon the Lord." Here we have revealed to us the secret of the soul's renewed energy. It is open to all. We are thus "changed men," for the Hebrew word here, "to renew," means "to change." Experiences like these alter alike character and countenance. God restores unto us the joy of his anointed. I. A DIVINE PROMISE . Written in the book of inspiration? Yes; and embodied in the experience of a great multitude of souls. So attest the men of old,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 40:29

He giveth power to the faint - To his weak and feeble people. This is one of his attributes; and his people, therefore, should put their trust in him, and look to him for aid (compare 2 Corinthians 12:9). The design of this verse is to give consolation to the afflicted and down-trodden people in Babylon, by recalling to their minds the truth that it was one of the characteristics of God that he ministered strength to those who were conscious of their own feebleness, and who looked to him for... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 40:30

Even the youths shall faint - The most vigorous young men, those in whom we expect manly strength, and who are best suited to endure hardy toil. They become weary by labor. Their powers are soon exhausted. The design here is, to contrast the most vigorous of the human race with God, and to show that while all their powers fail, the power of God is unexhausted and inexhaustible.And the young men - The word used here denotes properly “those who are chosen or selected” (בחוּרים bachûriym, Greek... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the Lord - The word rendered ‘wait upon’ here (from קוה qâvâh), denotes properly to wait, in the sense of expecting. The phrase, ‘to wait on Yahweh,’ means to wait for his help; that is, to trust in him, to put our hope or confidence in him. It is applicable to those who are in circumstances of danger or want, and who look to him for his merciful interposition. Here it properly refers to those who were suffering a long and grievous captivity in Babylon, and who had no... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 40:29-31

Isaiah 40:29-31. He giveth power to the faint He hath strength enough, not only for himself, but for all, even the weakest of his creatures, whom he can easily strengthen to bear all their burdens, and to vanquish all their oppressors. The prophet seems to speak with an especial reference to those among God’s people whose faith and hope were very low, which he would support, even until the time of their promised deliverance. Even the youths shall faint Those that make the greatest boast... read more

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