A Prayer in Deep Distress
And you who deal treacherously, though they have not dealt treacherously with you!
bWhen you cease plundering,
You will be cplundered;
When you make an end of dealing treacherously,
They will deal treacherously with you.
aWe have waited for You.
Be their arm every morning,
Our salvation also in the time of trouble.
When You lift Yourself up, the nations shall be scattered;
Like the gathering of the caterpillar;
As the running to and fro of locusts,
He shall run upon them.
And the strength of salvation;
The fear of the Lord is His treasure.
The traveling man ceases.
bHe has broken the covenant,
1He has despised the2 cities,
He regards no man.
| << Isaiah 33:1 | Isaiah 33:3 >> |
Isaiah 33:2
O Lord - This is a solemn prayer to Yahweh, made by the Jews in the apprehension of the invasion of the Assyrian. It is not meant that this prayer was actually offered, but it is a prophetic representation indicating the alarm of the Jews at his approach, and their disposition to throw themselves upon the mercy of God.
We have waited for thee - That is, we have looked for deliverance from this threatened invasion from thy hand (compare the note at Isaiah 26:8).
Be thou their arm - The arm is a symbol of strengh. It is used in the Scriptures as emblematic of the divine protection, or of the interposition of God in time of calamity and dancer Exodus 15:16; Job 40:9; Psalms 44:3; Psalms 77:15; Psalms 89:21; Psalms 98:1. Lowth proposes to read ' our arm instead of ' their arm;' and the connection would seem to demand such a reading. The Vugate and the Chaldee read it in this manner, but there is no authority from manuscripts for a change in the text. The truth seems to be, that Isaiah, impelled by prophetic inspiration, here interposes his own feelings as a Jew, and offers his own prayer that God would be the strength of the nation. The form, however, is immediately changed, and he presents the prayer of the people.
Every morning - Constantly; at all times.
In the time of trouble - Referring particularly to the trouble consequent on the invasion of the Assyrians.
Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Isaiah 33:2:
| << Isaiah 33:1 | Isaiah 33:3 >> |
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