John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 54:11

"O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will set thy stones in fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires." — Isaiah 54:11 (ASV)

Thou wretched. He continues the same subject and promises not only that the Church will be restored to her ancient splendor, but also that God will cause her to be adorned with attire of greater magnificence, as if she were wholly composed of precious stones. All this was expressed by Haggai in a single word, when he said, The glory of the latter temple shall be greater than the glory of the former. (Haggai 2:10).

Regarding the names of the jewels that are described here by the Prophet, and about which even the Hebrew writers do not agree, we need not trouble ourselves much, provided we understand the meaning of the passage.

This earnest address is exceedingly well fitted for soothing the grief of believers; for it represents the Church, which was ready to be drowned, as now being rescued by Him from shipwreck. Therefore, whenever we see her violently shaken by tempests, weighed down by a load of distresses, and deprived of all consolation, let us remember that these are the very circumstances that induce God to give assistance.