Albert Barnes Commentary Isaiah 60:18

"Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, desolation nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise." — Isaiah 60:18 (ASV)

Violence shall no more be heard in thy land - This is a most beautiful description of the peace and prosperity that would prevail in the times of the Messiah.

If the gospel, in its purity, were to prevail on earth, there would be no more scenes of violence and war. The battle-shout would be heard no more; the cry of violence, the clangor of arms would resound no more.

The pure gospel of the Redeemer has never originated one war, never produced one scene of bloodshed, and never once prompted violence and strife. There has been no war in any age or in any land that the principles of the gospel, if acted on by both contending nations, would not have prevented. There have been no scenes of bloodshed that would not have been avoided if the gospel had been allowed to control the hearts of people.

And no one who believes the Bible to be a revelation from God can doubt that the time will come when the mad passions of kings and nations will be subdued, and when wars will cease to be known except in the melancholy and disgraceful records of past events (Compare to the notes at Isaiah 2:4).

Wasting - The waste of life and property; the burning of cities, towns, and villages; and the desolation that spreads over farms and plantations on the march of a victorious enemy.

Nor destruction - Hebrew, שׁבר sheber - ‘Breaking.’ The breaking or treading down caused by the march of a triumphant army.

In thy borders - Within your bounds or limits. Your whole country will be peace and prosperity; that is, wherever the gospel will spread, there will be security and peace.

But thou shalt call thy walls Salvation - You shall live securely within your walls, and shall speak of them as furnishing protection or salvation. The time will come when the church will have no reason to apprehend danger from abroad, and when all will be peace within.

And thy gates Praise - Because, says Grotius, those who are appointed to watch at their gates will announce the approach of no enemy, but will, with the highest security, celebrate the praises of God. Praise would be celebrated in all the places of public concourse, and perfect protection would be ascribed to all her walls; that is, in the church there would be entire security, and everywhere the praises of God would be celebrated.