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Translation
King James Version
O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.
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KJV (with Strong's)
O LORD H3068, be gracious H2603 unto us; we have waited H6960 for thee: be thou their arm H2220 every morning H1242, our salvation H3444 also in the time H6256 of trouble H6869.
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Complete Jewish Bible
ADONAI, show us mercy; we have waited for you. Be their arm every morning, and our salvation in time of trouble.
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Berean Standard Bible
O LORD, be gracious to us! We wait for You. Be our strength every morning and our salvation in time of trouble.
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American Standard Version
O Jehovah, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou our arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.
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World English Bible Messianic
LORD, be gracious to us. We have waited for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
O Lord, haue mercie vpon vs, wee haue waited for thee: be thou, which waste their arme in the morning, our helpe also in time of trouble.
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Young's Literal Translation
O Jehovah, favour us, for thee we have waited, Be their arm, in the mornings, Yea, our salvation in time of adversity.
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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Isaiah 33:2 is a fervent communal prayer, voiced by a people in profound distress, appealing to the Lord for His unmerited favor and steadfast intervention. It articulates a posture of patient reliance on God, acknowledging Him as the singular source of daily strength and ultimate deliverance, especially when facing overwhelming national crisis and the failure of human efforts. This verse encapsulates a timeless truth about divine faithfulness and humanity's inherent need for God's powerful presence in every season of life.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Isaiah 33 is situated within a section of Isaiah (chapters 28-33) that primarily delivers "woes" against various nations and against Judah for its spiritual failures, culminating in a vision of judgment and eventual restoration. Specifically, chapter 33 begins with a "woe" directed at the Assyrian oppressor, immediately shifting into this profound prayer of the faithful remnant. It serves as a pivotal moment, transitioning from the pronouncements of judgment to a desperate plea for divine intervention, foreshadowing the eventual triumph of God's justice and the establishment of His righteous kingdom described in later chapters, particularly the "Little Apocalypse" of Isaiah 34-35. The prayer itself reflects the deep spiritual and national crisis, demonstrating a turning point where the people, having exhausted human solutions, cast themselves entirely upon the Lord.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The most probable historical backdrop for Isaiah 33 is the Assyrian invasion of Judah under King Sennacherib around 701 BC, during the reign of King Hezekiah. Jerusalem was besieged, and the nation faced existential threat. This period was marked by political instability, with Judah often caught between the superpowers of Assyria and Egypt, and a pervasive temptation to rely on human alliances rather than God. Culturally, the "arm" was a powerful symbol of strength, power, and military might, so to ask God to "be their arm" was to request His active, powerful intervention on their behalf. The concept of "salvation" (Hebrew: yeshu'ah) encompassed not merely spiritual redemption but also physical deliverance, welfare, and prosperity, particularly from enemies and national calamity. The prayer reflects the desperate situation of a people who had witnessed the devastation of their land and felt the imminent threat to their capital, prompting a return to the covenant God for help.
  • Key Themes: This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. It highlights the theme of Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence, portraying God as the ultimate source of power and deliverance, capable of intervening decisively in human affairs. The plea "be gracious unto us" underscores the theme of God's Mercy and Grace, emphasizing that His favor is unmerited and essential for human survival and flourishing. The phrase "we have waited for thee" speaks to the theme of Faithful Endurance and Patient Expectation, a recurring call in Isaiah for God's people to trust in His timing and promises, as seen in Isaiah 40:31. Furthermore, the request for God to be "their arm every morning" powerfully conveys the theme of Daily Provision and Sustaining Power, illustrating God's consistent care and fresh mercies, echoing the sentiment of Lamentations 3:22-23. Finally, "our salvation also in the time of trouble" reinforces the theme of God as Ultimate Deliverer, presenting Him as the sole refuge and strength in times of profound adversity, a truth beautifully articulated in Psalm 46:1.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • gracious (Hebrew, chânan', H2603): This primitive root properly means "to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow." It also implies the act of imploring (moving to favor by petition). In this context, the prayer is not a demand but a humble imploring for God to show His characteristic kindness and mercy, acknowledging the people's dependent status before Him and their need for His unmerited favor.
  • arm (Hebrew, zᵉrôwaʻ', H2220): This noun refers to "the arm (as stretched out)," and figuratively, "force, help, mighty, power, shoulder, strength." In this context, it is a potent metaphor for God's active, powerful intervention and protection. To ask God to be "their arm" is to ask Him to exert His divine strength on behalf of His people, to defend them and to act with decisive power against their adversaries or circumstances.
  • salvation (Hebrew, yᵉshûwʻâh', H3444): This feminine passive participle means "something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity." It encompasses a holistic sense of rescue, welfare, and well-being. The prayer seeks not merely relief from immediate trouble but a comprehensive deliverance that restores peace and security, confirming God as the ultimate source of rescue from all forms of distress, whether from enemies, calamity, or spiritual bondage.

Verse Breakdown

  • "O LORD, be gracious unto us;": This opening clause is a direct, earnest supplication to Yahweh (H3068), the covenant God of Israel. It is a plea for divine favor and compassion, acknowledging the people's utter dependence on God's unmerited kindness. It sets the tone of humility and desperate need, recognizing that any help received will be an act of sovereign grace.
  • "we have waited for thee:": This phrase expresses a posture of patient endurance and hopeful expectation (H6960, qâvâh). Despite the dire circumstances, the people affirm their trust in God's timing and faithfulness. It signifies a sustained period of looking to God alone for help, rather than to human alliances or strength, demonstrating a deep-seated reliance on His promised intervention.
  • "be thou their arm every morning,": This is a powerful metaphorical request for God's consistent, daily manifestation of His strength and power. The "arm" symbolizes divine might and active intervention (H2220, zᵉrôwaʻ), while "every morning" (H1242, bôqer) signifies a fresh, reliable outpouring of God's sustaining grace and protective presence, indicating His continuous support in the face of ongoing challenges. The shift from "us" to "their" might refer to the broader community of God's people, or perhaps even a subtle plea for God to act as a powerful arm against their enemies, thus protecting His people.
  • "our salvation also in the time of trouble.": This final clause reiterates the ultimate desire for God's comprehensive deliverance (H3444, yᵉshûwʻâh). It positions God as the singular source of rescue and welfare, not just in daily provisions but specifically during periods of intense distress, affliction, and national crisis (H6256, ʻêth; H6869, tsârâh). It is a declaration of faith that God is the ultimate deliverer when all other avenues have failed, providing complete and holistic restoration.

Literary Devices

Isaiah 33:2 employs several powerful Literary Devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is Apostrophe, a direct address to an absent or personified entity, seen in the opening cry, "O LORD." This immediately establishes the personal and intimate nature of the prayer, appealing directly to God's character. Metaphor is vividly used with the phrase "be thou their arm," where the human arm, a symbol of strength and action, is applied to God, representing His divine power and active intervention. The repetition implied in "every morning" functions as a form of Emphasis, highlighting the consistent, daily nature of God's provision and mercies. The entire verse is a profound act of Supplication or Petition, a formal and earnest prayer for divine aid. There is also an implicit Parallelism between "be thou their arm every morning" and "our salvation also in the time of trouble," as both clauses articulate different facets of God's protective and delivering power, one emphasizing daily sustenance and the other ultimate rescue in crisis, reinforcing the comprehensive nature of His care.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Isaiah 33:2 is a profound theological statement on God's character and humanity's proper response in times of crisis. It reveals God as inherently gracious, powerful, and faithful, a God who actively intervenes on behalf of His people. The prayer models a deep dependence on divine mercy and strength, acknowledging that true deliverance comes not from human might or political maneuvering, but from the Lord alone. It underscores the covenant relationship, where God is both the righteous judge and the compassionate deliverer, ever ready to hear the cries of His distressed children. This verse teaches us that waiting on God is not passive inaction, but an active posture of hopeful trust, recognizing His sovereignty over all circumstances and His unwavering commitment to His promises.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Isaiah 33:2 offers a timeless blueprint for prayer and a powerful anchor for faith in a world often fraught with uncertainty and trouble. In moments of personal anxiety, national upheaval, or spiritual warfare, this verse calls us to abandon self-reliance and turn wholeheartedly to God. It encourages us to cultivate a spirit of humble dependence, acknowledging our need for His unmerited grace. The call to "wait for thee" is an invitation to patient trust, reminding us that God's timing is perfect and His faithfulness unwavering, even when His intervention seems delayed. Furthermore, the promise of God being our "arm every morning" assures us that His strength is renewed daily, equipping us for whatever challenges the new day brings. This verse compels us to seek God as our ultimate salvation, trusting that in our deepest troubles, He alone is our true refuge and deliverer, transforming our fear into faith and our cries into confident expectation.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does Isaiah 33:2 challenge your understanding of God's daily provision and His active presence in your life?
  • In what specific "times of trouble" are you most prone to forget God's promised salvation and rely on your own strength or other resources?
  • What practical steps can you take to cultivate a posture of "waiting for the Lord" with patient expectation in your daily life, especially when circumstances are difficult?

FAQ

Why does the prayer shift from "unto us" and "we have waited for thee" to "be thou their arm"?

Answer: The shift from the first-person plural ("us," "we") to the third-person plural ("their") in Isaiah 33:2 has been a point of scholarly discussion. While some suggest a possible scribal variation or a slight textual ambiguity, the most common and contextually rich interpretations understand "their" to refer broadly to God's people, or to those who are in distress and waiting for the Lord. It could be a prophetic shift, where the prophet, having articulated the prayer of the specific community, then extends the plea to encompass all who are similarly afflicted and dependent on God's power. Alternatively, in the context of the Assyrian invasion, "their arm" could subtly imply God's powerful arm acting against the enemies, thereby protecting His people. Regardless of the precise nuance, the core message remains steadfast: a fervent appeal for God's powerful, daily, and ultimately delivering intervention on behalf of those who trust in Him. It does not detract from the central theme of dependence on God's mighty "arm" for salvation.

How does "every morning" relate to God's faithfulness and provision?

Answer: The phrase "every morning" (Hebrew: bôqer) in Isaiah 33:2 powerfully emphasizes the consistent, reliable, and fresh nature of God's faithfulness and provision. It signifies that God's mercies are not a one-time event but are renewed daily, much like the morning light. This concept resonates deeply with other biblical passages, such as Lamentations 3:22-23, which declares, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." It assures believers that no matter how dire the circumstances of the previous day, each new day brings with it a fresh outpouring of God's strength, grace, and protective presence, equipping them to face new challenges and reminding them of His unwavering commitment to sustain His people.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Isaiah 33:2 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of God's grace, power, and salvation. The prayer, "O LORD, be gracious unto us," is answered in Christ, for it is through His incarnation that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). He is the visible manifestation of God's unmerited favor, extending mercy and compassion to all who turn to Him. The plea, "be thou their arm every morning," points directly to Christ, who is the "arm" of the Lord made manifest. He is the one by whom "all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... and in him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:16-17). Through His Holy Spirit, Christ provides daily strength and sustenance, fulfilling the promise of His constant presence with His disciples "always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). Most significantly, the cry for "our salvation also in the time of trouble" is fully realized in Jesus. He is Yeshua, the very name meaning "Yahweh is salvation." His life, death, and resurrection constitute the ultimate act of divine deliverance, rescuing humanity from the deepest trouble of sin and death. He is the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29), offering eternal salvation and a secure hope that transcends all earthly troubles. In Christ, God's arm is not merely stretched out, but fully extended in sacrificial love, providing complete and everlasting salvation for all who wait upon Him.

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Commentary on Isaiah 33 verses 1–12

Here we have,

I. The proud and false Assyrian justly reckoned with for all his fraud and violence, and laid under a woe, Isa 33:1. Observe, 1. The sin which the enemy had been guilty of. He had spoiled the people of God, and made a prey of them, and herein had broken his treaty of peace with them, and dealt treacherously. Truth and mercy are two such sacred things, and have so much of God in them, that those cannot but be under the wrath of God that make conscience of neither, but are perfectly lost to both, that care not what mischief they do, what spoil they make, what dissimulations they are guilty of, nor what solemn engagements they violate, to compass their own wicked designs. Bloody and deceitful men are the worst of men. 2. The aggravation of this sin. He spoiled those that had never done him any injury and that he had no pretence to quarrel with, and dealt treacherously with those that had always dealt faithfully with him. Note, The less provocation we have from men to do a wrong thing the more provocation we give to God by doing it. 3. The punishment he should fall under for this sin. He that spoiled the cities of Judah shall have his own army destroyed by an angel and his camp plundered by those whom he had made a prey of. The Chaldeans shall deal treacherously with the Assyrians and revolt from them. Two of Sennacherib's own sons shall deal treacherously with him and basely murder him at his devotions. Note, The righteous God often pays sinners in their own coin. He that leads into captivity shall go into captivity, Rev 13:10; Rev 18:6. 4. The time when he shall be thus dealt with. When he shall make an end to spoil, and to deal treacherously, not by repentance and reformation, which might prevent his ruin (Dan 4:27), but when he shall have done his worst, when he shall have gone as far as God would permit him to go, to the utmost of his tether, then the cup of trembling shall be put into his hand. When he shall have arrived at his full stature in impiety, shall have filled up the measure of his iniquity, then all shall be called over again. When he has done God will begin, for his day is coming.

II. The praying people of God earnest at the throne of grace for mercy for the land now in its distress (Isa 33:2): "O Lord! be merciful to us. Men are cruel; be thou gracious. We have deserved thy wrath, but we entreat thy favour; and, if we may find the propitious to us, we are happy; the trouble we are in cannot hurt us, shall not ruin us. It is in vain to expect relief from creatures; we have no confidence in the Egyptians, but we have waited for thee only, resolving to submit to thee, whatever the issue of the trouble be, and hoping that it shall be a comfortable issue." Those that by faith humbly wait for God shall certainly find him gracious to them. They prayed, 1. For those that were employed in military services for them: "Be thou their arm every morning. Hezekiah, and his princes, and all the men of war, need continual supplies of strength and courage from thee; supply their need therefore, and be to them a God all-sufficient. Every morning, when they go forth upon the business of the day, and perhaps have new work to do and new difficulties to encounter, let them be afresh animated and invigorated, and, as the day, so let the strength be." In our spiritual warfare our own hands are not sufficient for us, nor can we bring any thing to pass unless God not only strengthen our arms (Gen 49:24), but be himself our arm; so entirely do we depend upon him as our arm every morning, so constantly do we depend upon his power, as well as his compassions, which are new every morning, Lam 3:23. If God leaves us to ourselves any morning, we are undone; we must therefore every morning commit ourselves to him, and go forth in his strength to do the work of the day in its day. 2. For the body of the people: "Be thou our salvation also in the time of trouble, ours who sit still, and do not venture into the high places of the field." They depend upon God not only as their Saviour, to work deliverance for them, but as their salvation itself; for, whatever becomes of their secular interests, they will reckon themselves safe and saved if they have him for their God. If he undertake to be their Saviour, he will be their salvation; for as for God his work is perfect. Some read it thus: "Thou who wast their arm every morning, who wast the continual strength and help of our fathers before us, be thou our salvation also in time of trouble. Help us as thou helpedst them; they looked unto thee and were lightened (Psa 34:5); let us then not walk in darkness."

III. The Assyrian army ruined and their camp made a rich but cheap and easy prey to Judah and Jerusalem. No sooner is the prayer made (Isa 33:2) than it is answered (Isa 33:3), nay, it is outdone. They prayed that God would save them from their enemies; but he did more than that; he gave them victory over their enemies and abundant cause to triumph; for, 1. The strength of the Assyrian camp was broken (Isa 33:3) when the destroying angel slew so many thousands of them: At the noise of the tumult, of the shrieks of the dying men (who, we may suppose, did not die silently), the rest of the people fled, and shifted every one for his own safety. When God did thus lift up himself the several nations, or clans, of which the army was composed, were scattered. It was time to stir when such an unprecedented plague broke out among them. When God arises his enemies are scattered, Psa 68:1. 2. The spoil of the Assyrian camp is seized, by way of reprisal, for all the desolations of the defenced cities of Judah (Isa 33:4): Your spoil shall be gathered by the inhabitants of Jerusalem, like the gathering of the caterpillar, and as the running to and fro of locusts, that is, the spoilers shall as easily and as quickly make themselves masters of the riches of the Assyrians as a host of caterpillars, or locusts, make a field, or a tree, bare. Thus the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just and Israel is enriched with the spoil of the Egyptians. Some make the Assyrians to be the caterpillars and locusts, which, when they are killed, are gathered together in heaps, as the frogs of Egypt, and are run upon, and trodden to dirt.

IV. God and his Israel glorified and exalted hereby. When the spoil of the enemy is thus gathered, 1. God will have the praise of it (Isa 33:5): The Lord is exalted. It is his honour thus to abase proud men, and hide them in the dust, together; thus he magnifies his own name, and his people give him the glory of it, as Israel when the Egyptians were drowned, Exo 15:1, Exo 15:2, etc. He is exalted as one that dwells on high, out of the reach of their blasphemies, and that has an over-ruling power over them, and wherein they deal proudly delights to show himself above them - that does what he will, and they cannot resist him. 2. His people will have the blessing of it. When God lifts up himself to scatter the nations that are in confederacy against Jerusalem (Isa 33:3) then, as a preparative for that, or as the fruit and product of it, he has filled Zion with judgment and righteousness, not only with a sense of justice, but with a zeal for it and a universal care that it be duly administered. It shall again be called, The city of righteousness, Isa 1:26. In this the grace of God is exalted, as much as his providence was in the destruction of the Assyrian army. We may conclude God has mercy in store for a people when he fills them with judgment and righteousness, when all sorts of people, and all their actions and affairs, are governed by them, and they are so full of them that no other considerations can crowd in to sway them against these. Hezekiah and his people are encouraged (Isa 33:6) with an assurance that God would stand by them in their distress. Here is, (1.) A gracious promise of God for them to stay themselves upon: Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation. Here is a desirable end proposed, and that is the stability of our times, that things be not disturbed and unhinged at home, and the strength of salvation, deliverance from, and success against, enemies abroad. The salvation that God ordains for his people has strength in it; it is a horn of salvation. And here are the way and means for obtaining this end - wisdom and knowledge, not only piety, but prudence. That is it which, by the blessing of God, will be the stability of our times and the strength of salvation, that wisdom which is first pure, then peaceable, and which sacrifices private interests to a public good; such prudence as this will establish truth and peace, and fortify the bulwarks in defence of them. (2.) A pious maxim of state for Hezekiah and his people to govern themselves by: The fear of the Lord is his treasure. It is God's treasure in the world, from which he receives his tribute; or, rather, it is the prince's treasure. A good prince accounts it so (that wisdom is better than gold) and he shall find it so. Note, True religion is the true treasure of any prince or people; it denominates them rich. Those places that have plenty of Bibles, and ministers, and serious good people, are really rich; and it contributes to that which makes a nation rich in this world. It is therefore the interest of a people to support religion among them and to take heed of every thing that threatens to hinder it.

V. The great distress that Jerusalem was brought into described, that those who believed the prophet might know beforehand what troubles were coming and might provide accordingly, and that when the foregoing promise of their deliverance should have its accomplishment the remembrance of the extremity of their case might help to magnify God in it and make them the more thankful, Isa 33:7-9. It is here foretold, 1. That the enemy would be very insolent and abusive and there would be no dealing with him, either by treaties of peace (for he has broken the covenant without any hesitation, as if it were below him to be a servant to his word), or by the preparations of war, for he has despised the cities; he scorns to take notice either of their appeals to justice or of their petitions for mercy. He makes himself master of them so easily (though they are called fenced cities), and meets with so little resistance, that he despises them, and has no relentings when he puts all to the sword; for he regards no man, has no pity or concern, no, not for those that he is under particular obligations to. He neither fears God nor regards man, but is haughty and imperious to every one. There are those that take a pride in trampling upon all mankind, and have neither veneration for the honourable nor compassion for the miserable. 2. That therefore he would not be brought to any terms of reconciliation: The valiant ones of Jerusalem, being unable to make their parts good with him, must be contentedly run down with noise and insolence, which will make them cry without, because they cannot serve their country as they might have done against a fair adversary. The ambassadors sent by Hezekiah to treat of peace, finding him so haughty and unmanageable, shall weep bitterly for vexation at the disappointment they had met with in their negotiations; they shall weep like children, as despairing to find out any expedient to pacify him. 3. That the country should be made quite desolate for a time by his army. (1.) No man durst travel the roads; so that a stop was put to trade and commerce, and (which was worse) no man could safely go up to Jerusalem, to keep the solemn feasts: The highways lie waste. While the fields lie waste, trodden like the highways, the highways lie waste, untrodden like the fields, for the traveller ceases. (2.) No man had any profit from the grounds, Isa 33:9. The earth used to rejoice in its own productions for the service of God's Israel, but now the enemies of Israel eat them up, or tread them down: it mourns and languishes; the country looks melancholy and the country people have misery in their countenances, wanting necessary food for themselves and their families; the wonted joy of harvest is turned into lamentation, so withering and uncertain are all worldly joys. The desolation is universal. That part of the country which belonged to the ten tribes was already laid waste: "Lebanon famed for cedars, Sharon for roses, Bashan for cattle, Carmel for corn, all very fruitful, have now become like wildernesses, are ashamed to be called by their old names, they are so unlike what they were. They shake off their fruits before their time into the hand of the spoiler, which used to be gathered seasonably by the hand of the owner."

VI. God appearing, at length, in his glory against his proud invader, Isa 33:10-12. When things are brought thus to the last extremity, 1. God will magnify himself. He had seemed to sit by as an unconcerned spectator: "But now will I arise, saith the Lord; now will I appear and act, and therein I will be not only evidenced, but exalted." He will not only demonstrate that there is a God that judges in the earth, but that he is God over all, and higher than the highest. "Now will I lift up myself, will prepare for action, will act vigorously, and will be glorified in it." God's time to appear for his people is when their affairs are reduced to the lowest ebb, when their strength is gone and there is none shut up nor left, Deu 32:36. When all other helpers fail, then is God's time to help. 2. He will bring down the Assyrian: "You, O Assyrians! are big with hopes that you shall have all the wealth of Jerusalem for your own, and are in pain till it be so; but all your hopes shall come to nothing: You shall conceive chaff, and bring forth stubble, which is not only worthless and good for nothing, but combustible and proper fuel for the fire, which it cannot escape, when your own breath as fire shall devour you, that is, the breath of God's wrath, provoked against you by the breath of your sins - your malignant breath, the threatenings and slaughter you breathe out against the people of God, this shall devour you, and your blasphemous breath against God and his name." God would make their own tongues to fall upon them, and their own breath to blow the fire that should consume them; and then no wonder that the people are as the burnings of lime in a lime-kiln, all on fire together, and as thorns cut up, which are dried and withered, and therefore easily take fire and are soon burnt up. Such was the destruction of the Assyrian army; it was like the burning up of thorns, which can well be spared, or the burning of lime, which makes it good for something. The burning of that army enlightened the world with the knowledge of God's power and made his name shine brightly.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–12. Public domain.
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John ChrysostomAD 407
HOMILY ON EUTROPIUS 2:6
The master of the church has many names: being called the Father, the way, the life, the light, the arm, the propitiation, the foundation, the door, the sinless one, the treasure, Lord, God, Son, the only begotten, the form of God, the image of God. So it is with the church itself. Does one name suffice to present the whole truth? By no means. But for this reason there are countless names, that we may learn something concerning God, though it is but a small part.
JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Isaiah
(Verse 2 and following) Lord, have mercy on us: for we have waited for you: be our strength in the morning, and our salvation in time of trouble. At the voice of the Angel, the people fled; at your exaltation the nations were scattered. And your spoil will be gathered, as the locust is gathered, as when the ditches are full of it. The Lord is magnified, for he dwells on high: he has filled Zion with judgment and justice. And there will be faith in your times: wealth of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge: the fear of the Lord is its treasure. LXX: Lord, have mercy on us, for we trust in You: the seed of the unbelievers has been brought to destruction, but our salvation is in the time of tribulation: because of the voice of fear, the peoples are astonished by your fear, and the nations are scattered. But now your spoils, both small and great, will be gathered together: when someone gathers locusts, they will mock you: O holy God who dwells on high. Zion is filled with justice and righteousness, salvation is stored in the law: wisdom, discipline, and piety come from the Lord, these are the treasures of justice. This is a chapter from the Hebrews, in which it is read: Woe to those who plunder, will they not be plundered themselves? and so on until the end. They believe that this is a statement against King Sennacherib of the Assyrians, who, after overthrowing the ten tribes known as Israel and capturing the cities of Judah, will himself be defeated and his army destroyed by the Angel. Now, from the perspective of the people, giving thanks to God and saying, 'Lord, have mercy on us, we have waited for you,' these words contend, which are contained in the present (or following) chapter, that His arm and strength were the protection for the people besieged in the morning, and salvation in their time of need and distress. For by the voice of the Angel, whom Symmachus translated as it is written in Hebrew, Amun (whom the Hebrews consider to be Gabriel) and has the etymology of the people; the Assyrian fled, and the nations that came with him were scattered here and there from the exaltation of God. As they fled, the spoils were gathered by the Jews, just as a multitude of caterpillars and locusts are collected when they have been heaped into pits. In their victory, the Lord was magnified, and Zion was filled with justice and righteousness, and the faith of the besieged people was proven. And they possessed all riches in wisdom and knowledge of God and fear of the Lord, who alone was their treasure. They said these things according to the history, striving in every way to undermine the sacraments of Christ and his Apostles. But after the happiness of the Apostles, about whom it has been said above (Ad. cap. XXXI, 20): Blessed are those who sow upon all waters, where the ox and the donkey tread, and the lamentation and mourning of those who persecute them, about whom it is said in what follows: Woe to those who make you miserable; but no one makes you miserable; and like moths on clothing, they will wear away, from the person of the same Apostles, we confirm these words for all believers. And this is the sense: Lord, we have hoped in your help, and have trusted in you. The seed of the unbelievers has perished forever, and our salvation has appeared in the time of tribulation. For with your assistance, the multitude of nations has been scattered, and those who sought to conquer and deceive have been defeated. And this has happened because the holy Lord dwells on high, and Zion is filled with judgment and justice, as it is written: Justice and judgment will rest in the wilderness. Therefore, she is Zion, which was previously called a desert, and whoever dwells in her will receive the law of the Gospel, in whose treasure our salvation is, and the wisdom of the believers, and discipline and piety, or faith, which is specifically of the Christians, and the fear of the Lord, in which the treasures of wisdom are contained.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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