John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 40:19

"The image, a workman hath cast [it], and the goldsmith overlayeth it with gold, and casteth [for it] silver chains." — Isaiah 40:19 (ASV)

The carver prepares a graven image. As public opinion has great force, and everything that pleases the multitude passes for a law, the Prophet fortifies believers against this error. These words therefore serve to prepare the Jews, so that they may not be terrified when they see the Gentiles laboring with all their might to make idols, for in this way they deceive and ensnare each other. But he attacks the madness of the whole world, on the grounds that all are impelled by such outrageous zeal to practice superstition, and each person is their own instructor in the formation of idols.