Charles Ellicott Commentary Isaiah 48:9

"For my name`s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off." — Isaiah 48:9 (ASV)

For my name’s sake ... —The thought is twofold, in answer to the implied question why Jehovah had not punished so guilty a people:

1. After the manner of men, if He had destroyed His chosen people, the nations of the world would have thought Him changeable and capricious.
2. Taking “name” as the symbol of character, that He might assert His own everlasting righteousness and love, as willing to save rather than destroy.