Isaiah 51:6

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

Lift up {H5375} your eyes {H5869} to the heavens {H8064}, and look {H5027} upon the earth {H776} beneath: for the heavens {H8064} shall vanish away {H4414} like smoke {H6227}, and the earth {H776} shall wax old {H1086} like a garment {H899}, and they that dwell {H3427} therein shall die {H4191} in like {H3644} manner {H3654}: but my salvation {H3444} shall be for ever {H5769}, and my righteousness {H6666} shall not be abolished {H2865}.

"Raise your eyes toward the skies, look at the earth below. The skies will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like clothing. Those living on it will die like flies; but my salvation will be forever, and my justice will never end.

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth below; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its people will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail.

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment; and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

Isaiah 51:6 delivers a powerful message of contrast, urging the reader to shift their focus from the fleeting nature of the physical world to the enduring reality of God's salvation and righteousness.

Context

This verse is part of Isaiah's "Book of Comfort" (chapters 40-66), a section primarily addressed to the people of Israel who were either in Babylonian exile or facing significant oppression and discouragement. The prophet Isaiah seeks to instill hope and reassurance by reminding them of God's sovereign power, His past faithfulness, and His unwavering future promises. In this chapter, God calls His people to remember His mighty acts of deliverance, particularly the deliverance of Abraham and Sarah, to bolster their faith in His ability to save them again. The immediate context of Isaiah 51:4-5 speaks of God bringing forth His righteousness and judgment, which will become a light to the nations.

Key Themes

  • The Transience of Creation: The passage vividly portrays the temporary nature of the physical universe. The heavens will "vanish away like smoke," and the earth will "wax old like a garment." This imagery highlights the impermanence of all created things, including human life, which is also declared to "die in like manner." This theme serves to diminish the perceived power and stability of worldly things, including oppressors or temporary hardships, when compared to God. For similar expressions of creation's impermanence, see Psalm 102:26 and Hebrews 1:11.
  • The Eternity of God's Salvation and Righteousness: In stark contrast to the decaying creation, God declares, "but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished." This is the central message of hope. God's saving power and His perfect justice are not subject to decay, change, or destruction. They are eternal, immutable, and utterly dependable. This enduring promise provides a secure foundation for faith and hope, regardless of present circumstances.
  • A Call to Perspective: The command "Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath" is an invitation to gain divine perspective. It encourages the audience to look beyond their immediate, often disheartening, reality and consider the vastness of creation, only to then recognize that even this vastness is finite, while God's attributes are infinite.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew phrase for "vanish away like smoke" (כְּעָשָׁן - ke'ashan) powerfully conveys a swift and complete disappearance, like smoke that dissipates into nothingness.
  • "Wax old like a garment" (כַּבֶּגֶד יִבְלֶה - kabbeged yibleh) uses the imagery of clothing that wears out, becomes threadbare, and is eventually discarded. This emphasizes decay and eventual uselessness, a natural process of deterioration.
  • "Shall not be abolished" (לֹא תֵחָת - lo teiḥat) for God's righteousness carries the meaning of not being dismayed, broken, or brought to an end. It signifies an unbreakable, enduring quality.

Related Scriptures

The theme of a passing creation and an eternal God resonates throughout Scripture. The New Testament expands on this, speaking of a future day when the elements will melt with fervent heat, leading to the promise of new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells, as seen in Revelation 21:1. God's eternal salvation is a cornerstone of biblical hope, echoed in verses like John 3:16, where the gift of eternal life through faith in Christ is presented.

Practical Application

Isaiah 51:6 offers immense comfort and a vital reorientation for believers today. It calls us not to place our ultimate hope, security, or identity in anything that is temporary—whether it be wealth, status, physical health, or even the stability of the world around us. Instead, it directs us to anchor our lives in the unchanging character and promises of God. When facing personal trials, societal upheaval, or existential questions about the future, this verse reminds us that while all else may fade, God's salvation and righteousness stand firm forever. This provides a deep sense of peace, knowing that our ultimate hope is secure in an eternal, unfailing God.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 24:35

    Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

  • Psalms 102:25

    Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens [are] the work of thy hands.

  • Psalms 102:26

    They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:

  • Isaiah 34:4

    And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling [fig] from the fig tree.

  • Hebrews 1:10

    And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

  • Hebrews 1:12

    And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

  • Revelation 6:12

    And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

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