Charles Spurgeon Commentary Isaiah 49:16

"Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me." — Isaiah 49:16 (ASV)

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands;

"I cannot work, I cannot even open the palm of my hand without seeing the memorials of my chosen people: I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands."

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands;

Where they must be seen, and where he can do nothing without touching his people while doing it. When a name is engraved on the hand with which a man works, that name goes into his work, and leaves its impress on the work.

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands;

How appropriately Christ can say this when he looks on the nail prints, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands! As I said, this morning, Jesus can give nothing, he can take nothing, he can do nothing, he can hold nothing, without remembering his people: I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands. How I love that verse of Toplady's hymn that speaks of this blessed truth!

"My name from the palms of his hands
Eternity will not erase;
Impressed on his heart it remains
In marks of indelible grace:
Yes, I to the end shall endure,
As sure as the earnest is given;
More happy, but not more secure,
The glorified spirits in heaven."