Charles Ellicott Commentary Isaiah 26:17

"Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain and crieth out in her pangs; so we have been before thee, O Jehovah." — Isaiah 26:17 (ASV)

Like as a woman with child. —This, as in Matthew 24:8, John 16:21, comes as the most natural image of longing, painful expectation, followed by great joy.