Matthew Henry Commentary Isaiah 26:5-11

"For he hath brought down them that dwell on high, the lofty city: he layeth it low, he layeth it low even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust. The foot shall tread it down; even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy. The way of the just is uprightness: thou that art upright dost direct the path of the just. Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O Jehovah, have we waited for thee; to thy name, even to thy memorial [name], is the desire of our soul. With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee earnestly: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness. Let favor be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness will he deal wrongfully, and will not behold the majesty of Jehovah. Jehovah, thy hand is lifted up, yet they see not: but they shall see [thy] zeal for the people, and be put to shame; yea, fire shall devour thine adversaries." — Isaiah 26:5-11 (ASV)

The way of the just is evenness, a steady course of obedience and holy living. It is their happiness that God makes their way plain and easy. It is our duty, and will be our comfort, to wait for God and to maintain holy desires toward Him in the darkest and most discouraging times. Our troubles must never turn us from God; and in the darkest, longest night of affliction, we must desire Him with our souls; and for this, we must wait and pray to Him.

Our religion amounts to nothing, whatever we may profess, if we do not make it a work of the heart. However early we come, we will find God ready to receive us.

The intention of afflictions is to teach righteousness: blessed is the man whom the Lord teaches in this way. But sinners walk contrary to Him.

They will go on in their evil ways because they will not consider what a God He is whose laws they persist in despising. Scorners and the self-assured will soon feel what they will not believe now: it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. They will not see the evil of sin, but they will see.

Oh, that they would abandon their sins and turn to the Lord, so that He may have mercy on them!