12 For our transgressions are multiplied before You, And our sins testify against us; For our transgressions are with us, And we know our iniquities : 13 Transgressing and denying the Lord , And turning away from our God , Speaking oppression and revolt , Conceiving in and uttering from the heart lying words . 14 Justice is turned back , And righteousness stands far away ; For truth has stumbled in the street , And uprightness cannot e enter . 15 Yes, truth is lacking ; And he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey . Now the Lord saw , And it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice .
16 And He saw that there was no man , And was astonished that there was no one to intercede ; Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, And His righteousness upheld Him. 17 He put on righteousness like a breastplate , And a helmet of salvation on His head ; And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 59:12-17
Commentary on Isaiah 59:9-15
(Read Isaiah 59:9-15)
If we shut our eyes against the light of Divine truth, it is just with God to hide from our eyes the things that belong to our peace. The sins of those who profess themselves God's people, are worse than the sins of others. And the sins of a nation bring public judgments, when not restrained by public justice. Men may murmur under calamities, but nothing will truly profit while they reject Christ and his gospel.
Commentary on Isaiah 59:16-21
(Read Isaiah 59:16-21)
This passage is connected with the following chapters. It is generally thought to describe the coming of the Messiah, as the Avenger and Deliverer of his church. There was none to intercede with God to turn away his wrath; none to interpose for the support of justice and truth. Yet He engaged his own strength and righteousness for his people. God will make his justice upon the enemies of his church and people plainly appear. When the enemy threatens to bear down all without control, then the Spirit of the Lord shall stop him, put him to flight. He that has delivered, will still deliver. A far more glorious salvation is promised to be wrought out by the Messiah in the fulness of time, which all the prophets had in view. The Son of God shall come to us to be our Redeemer; the Spirit of God shall come to be our Sanctifier: thus the Comforter shall abide with the church for ever, John 14:16. The word of Christ will always continue in the mouths of the faithful; and whatever is pretended to be the mind of the Spirit, must be tried by the Scriptures. We must lament the progress of infidelity and impiety. But the cause of the Redeemer shall gain a complete victory even on earth, and the believer will be more than conqueror when the Lord receives him to his glory in heaven.