Isaiah 34:8 - Exposition

The day of the Lord's vengeance (comp. Isaiah 61:2 and Isaiah 63:4 ). In all three places the "day" of God's vengeance is contrasted with the "year" of his recompense, to show how infinite is his mercy, how short-lived, comparatively speaking, his auger. Mr. Cheyne well compares the concluding clauses of the second commandment, where "retribution is declared to descend to the third and fourth generation, but mercy to the thousandth." Recompenses for the controversy of Zion ; rather, for the vindication of Zion ; i.e. for the maintenance of her right in the quarrel between her and her enemies.