John Calvin 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)

As a woman with child. Here, two things should primarily be noted. First, he compares believers to women in labor, who, we know, endure intense pain; and, consequently, he says that their anguish breaks out into loud and violent cries. Therefore, we infer that the Prophet not only speaks of the sorrow that arises from external distresses and troubles, but rather describes that dreadful anguish by which the hearts of the godly are severely and dreadfully tormented when they perceive that God is angry with them, and when their consciences rebuke them. There is no bodily pain so acute that it can be compared to that anguish, and this is clearly expressed by the phrase in your sight.