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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Isaiah 51:4–8. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Both these proclamations, as I may call them, end alike with an assurance of the perpetuity of God's righteousness and his salvation; and therefore we put them together, both being designed for the comfort of God's people. Observe,
I.Who they are to whom this comfort belongs:
"My people, and my nation, that I have set apart for myself, that own me and are owned by me." Those are God's people and his nation who are subject to him as their King and their God, pay allegiance to him, and put themselves under his protection accordingly. They are a people who know righteousness, who not only have the means of knowledge, and to whom righteousness is made known, but who improve those means, and are able to form a right judgment of truth and falsehood, good and evil. And, as they have good heads, so they have good hearts, for they have the law of God in them, written and ruling there. Those God owns for his people in whose hearts his law is. Even those who know righteousness, and have the law of God in their hearts, may yet be in great distress and sorrow, and loaded with reproach and contempt; but their God will comfort them with the righteousness they know and the law they have in their hearts.
II.What the comfort is that belongs to God's people.
1.That the gospel of Christ shall be preached and published to the world: A law shall proceed from me, an evangelical law, the law of Christ, the law of faith, Isa 2:3. This law is his judgment; for it is that law of liberty by which the world shall be governed and judged. This shall not only go forth, but shall continue and rest, it shall take firm footing and deep root in the world. It shall rest, not only for the benefit of the Jews, who had the first notice of it, but for a light of the people of other nations. It is this law, this judgment, that we are required to hearken and give ear to, at our peril; for how shall we escape if we neglect it and turn a deaf ear to it? When a law proceeds from God, he that has ears to hear, let him hear.
2.That this law and judgment shall bring with them righteousness and salvation, shall open a ready way to the children of men, that they may be justified and saved, Isa 51:5. These are called God's righteousness and his salvation, because of his contriving and bringing them about. The former is a righteousness which he will accept for us and accept us for, and a righteousness which he will work in us and graciously accept of. The latter is the salvation of the Lord, for it arises from him and terminates in him. Observe, There is no salvation without righteousness; and, wherever there is the righteousness of God, there shall be his salvation. All those, and those only, that are justified and sanctified shall be glorified.
3.That this righteousness and salvation shall very shortly appear: My righteousness is near. It is near in time; behold, all things are now ready. It is near in place, not far to seek, but the word is nigh us, and Christ in the word, righteousness in the word, Rom 10:8. My salvation has gone forth. The decree has gone forth concerning it; it shall as certainly be introduced as if it had gone forth already, and the time for it is at hand.
4.That this evangelical righteousness and salvation shall not be confined to the Jewish nation, but shall be extended to the Gentiles; My arms shall judge the people. Those that will not yield to the judgments of God's mouth shall be crushed by the judgments of his hand. Some shall thus be judged by the gospel, for for judgment Christ came into this world; but others, and those of the isles, shall wait upon him, and bid his gospel, and the commands as well as the comforts of it, welcome. It was a comfort to God's people, to his nation, that multitudes should be added to them, and the increase of their number should be the increase of their strength and beauty. It is added, And on my arm shall they trust, that arm of the Lord which is revealed in Christ, Isa 53:1. Observe, God's arm shall judge the people that are impenitent, and yet on his arm shall others trust and be saved by it; for it is to us as we make it, a savour of life or of death.
5.That this righteousness and salvation shall be for ever, and shall never be abolished, Isa 51:8. It is an everlasting righteousness that the Messiah brings in (Dan 9:24), an eternal redemption that he is the author of, Heb 5:9. As it shall spread through all the nations of the earth, so it shall last through all the ages of the world. We must never expect any other way of salvation, any other covenant of peace or rule of righteousness, than what we have in the gospel, and what we have there shall continue to the end, Mat 28:20. It is for ever; for the consequences of it shall be to eternity, and by this law of liberty men's everlasting state will be determined. This perpetuity of the gospel and the blessed things it brings in is illustrated by the fading and perishing of this world and all things in it. Look up to the visible heavens above, which have continued hitherto, and seem likely to continue, but they shall vanish like smoke that soon spends itself and disappears; they shall be rolled like a scroll, and their lights shall fall like leaves in autumn. Look down to the earth beneath; that abides too for a short ever (Ecc 1:4), but it shall wax old like a garment that will be the worse for wearing; and those that dwell therein, all the inhabitants of the earth, even those that seem to have the best settlement in it, shall die in like manner: the soul shall, as to this world, vanish like smoke, and the body be thrown by like a garment waxen old. They shall be easily crushed (Job 4:19), and no loss of them. But when heaven and earth pass away, when all flesh and the glory of it wither as grass, the word of the Lord endures for ever, and not one iota or tittle of that shall fall to the ground. Those whose happiness is bound up in Christ's righteousness and salvation will have the comfort of it when time and days shall be no more.
III.What use they are to make of this comfort.
If God's righteousness and salvation are near to them, then let them not fear the reproach of men, of mortal miserable men, nor be afraid of their revilings or spiteful taunts, theirs who bid you sing them the songs of Zion, or who ask you, in scorn, Where is now your God? Let not those who embrace the gospel righteousness be afraid of those who will call them Beelzebub, and will say all manner of evil against them falsely. Let them not be afraid of them; let them not be disturbed by these opprobrious speeches, nor made uneasy by them, as if they would be the ruin of their reputation and honour and they must for ever lie under the load of them. Let them not be afraid of their executing their menaces, nor be deterred thereby from their duty, nor frightened into any sinful compliances, nor driven to take any indirect courses for their own safety. Those can bear but little for Christ that cannot bear a hard word for him. Let us not fear the reproach of men; for,
1.They will be quickly silenced (Isa 51:8): The moth shall eat them up like a garment, Isa 50:9. The worm shall eat them like wool, or woollen cloth. If we have the approbation of a living God, we may despise the censure of dying men; the matter is not great what those say of us who must shortly be food for worms. Or it intimates the judgments of God with which they shall be visited, with which they shall be consumed, for their malice against the people of God; they shall be slowly and silently, but effectually destroyed, when God shall come to reckon with them for all their hard speeches, Jde 1:14, Jde 1:15.
2.The cause we suffer for cannot be run down. The falsehood of their reproaches will be detected, but truth shall triumph, and the righteousness of religion's injured cause shall be for ever plain. Clouds darken the sun, but give no obstruction to his progress.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
(Verse 7, 8.) Listen to me, you who know righteousness, (people add "my" in Vulg.): my law is in their hearts. Do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their blasphemies. For like a moth, it will consume them; and like a worm, it will devour them. But my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness for generations upon generations. LXX: Listen to me, you who know judgment, my people: whose law is in their hearts. Do not be afraid of the disgrace of men, and do not be overcome by their contempt. For just as clothing will be consumed with time, and as wool will be eaten by moths. But my righteousness will be eternal, and my salvation for generations upon generations. He who said above: The law will come forth from me, and my judgment to the light of the nations: now speaks to the same ones who know his judgment, and have his law in their hearts, so that they may do all things with judgment, and have the law which the Lord promises through Jeremiah, saying (Jer. XXXI, 31 et seqq.): I will establish a new testament, not according to the testament which I made with their fathers: but I will establish a testament, giving my laws in their minds: and I will write them upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they will be my people: so that they may not live according to the letter, but according to the spirit, restoring the natural law in their hearts, about which the Apostle writes: For when the Gentiles, who do not have the law, naturally do the things that are of the law: they, not having the law, are a law unto themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts (Rom. II, 14). Regarding which it is signified in the psalm: The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom: and his tongue shall speak judgment. The law of his God is in his heart, and his steps shall not be supplanted (Psalm 36:30-31). And because the prophetic spirit knew that there would be many persecutions for those who believe, he exhorts them to fortitude, even to the contempt of those who will persecute them. This is what the Lord also spoke of in the Gospel: Fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body into hell (Matthew 10:28). And in another place: Rejoice, when all evil things are said against you falsely (Ibid., V, 11). For just as a garment is consumed by worms or by time, and just as wool is devoured by moths, so all the reproach of persecutors will pass with the persecutors. Therefore the Apostles boasted that they were considered worthy to suffer insults for the Lord (Act. V). But they boasted because the salvation and righteousness of the Lord, which had promised them victory and rewards, that is, the Lord and Savior may remain forever, both in the previous and later generations, who have received his coming, about whom it is also said above: My righteous one is near, my savior has gone forth.
This is what the Lord has also said in the divine Gospels: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul,” and again: “Do not fear them,” and: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and shall say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.” Similarly, here, the prophetic text has shown that people who revile and trample underfoot the heralds of truth are like garments and like wool that is eaten away by the moth, while the salvation and the righteousness of those who are being insulted has no end and escapes death. After having made the prediction here concerning the new people, [the prophet] passes to another subject and prophesies to Jerusalem the return from exile in Babylon. One should know, however, that these announcements were not made at the same time as the others, but that the first dates from one epoch, the second from some other time, and that they were put together later to form a single book.
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Summary
Isaiah 51:7 delivers a powerful divine injunction to God's faithful remnant, those whose lives are characterized by an intimate knowledge of His righteousness and whose hearts are transformed by His divine law. In a world prone to hostility and opposition, the Lord commands His people to shed all fear of human scorn and verbal abuse, assuring them that their ultimate security and vindication rest solely in His eternal character and unfailing salvation, rather than in the ephemeral judgments or threats of humanity.
Context
Literary Context
Isaiah 51:7 is strategically positioned within the "Book of Comfort" (chapters 40-66) of Isaiah, a section primarily designed to offer profound hope, consolation, and assurance to the nation of Israel, particularly in anticipation of or during their Babylonian exile. This specific verse forms a pivotal part of a larger prophetic oracle (Isaiah 51:1-8) where God directly addresses various segments of His people, urging them to recall His mighty acts of salvation in the past and to place their unwavering trust in His promised deliverance for the future. Immediately preceding this exhortation, God directs His people to "look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you," thereby establishing a powerful precedent for His ability to bring forth a vast nation from a single, barren couple. This historical remembrance serves to underscore God's sovereign power to restore His seemingly diminished people. The subsequent verses (Isaiah 51:8-11) further amplify the stark contrast between the transient nature of human opposition and the eternal, unshakeable reality of God's salvation and righteousness, providing the essential theological foundation for the imperative not to fear.
Historical & Cultural Context
The historical backdrop for Isaiah 51 is the impending or ongoing period of Israel's exile in Babylon. During this profoundly challenging time, the Jewish exiles endured immense pressure, humiliation, and a profound sense of defeat. Living as captives among their conquerors, they were undoubtedly subjected to relentless mockery and scorn concerning their God, their covenant, and their perceived national failure. The "reproach of men" and "revilings" mentioned in the verse would have been tangible, daily experiences—ranging from taunts by their oppressors to ridicule for their distinct faith, and potentially even internal despair or the powerful temptation to assimilate into the dominant pagan culture. In such an oppressive environment, the inclination to compromise one's faith or to shrink from public identification with God's covenant people would have been overwhelming. This divine command directly confronts that vulnerability, issuing a clarion call for steadfastness and unwavering resolve in the face of a hostile and mocking world.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prevalent in Isaiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it profoundly underscores the theme of Inner Righteousness and the Law of God in the Heart. The audience is not merely those who possess intellectual knowledge of righteousness, but "ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law." This emphasizes a deep, internalized, and transformative commitment to God's character and His divine will, resonating with later prophetic promises of a new covenant where God's law would be supernaturally inscribed upon the heart, as vividly portrayed in Jeremiah 31:33. Secondly, the verse highlights the critical theme of Courage in the Face of Opposition. The repeated imperative, "fear ye not... neither be ye afraid," directly challenges the natural human tendency to succumb to the "fear of man," a spiritual snare frequently warned against in Scripture (e.g., Proverbs 29:25). God calls His people to an unwavering resolve, firmly grounded in their internal conviction, rather than being swayed by external pressures or human opinions. Finally, it reinforces the theme of God's Enduring Sovereignty and Eternal Salvation. The command to disregard human scorn is predicated on the profound understanding that human opposition is temporary, fleeting, and ultimately impotent against God's eternal purposes. God's righteousness and salvation are everlasting, standing in stark contrast to the transient nature of human life and the ephemeral power of oppressors, a truth further elaborated in Isaiah 51:6.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term (H6664) denotes the right—whether natural, moral, or legal. It encompasses concepts of equity, justice, and rectitude. In the phrase "ye that know righteousness," it refers not merely to intellectual assent to a theological concept, but to a deep, experiential, and practical understanding of God's righteous character and His unchanging standards. It implies a moral alignment with God's own nature, which is to be embodied and lived out in the lives of His people.
This word (H8451) primarily signifies precept or statute, most famously referring to the Decalogue or the entire Pentateuch. The crucial phrase "in whose heart is my law" (H3820, lêb for heart) indicates an internalized, deeply cherished, and governing principle. It is not merely an external code to be observed, but an inner guide that profoundly shapes one's affections, will, and intellect, making obedience a natural and willing outflow of a transformed inner being, rather than a burdensome external obligation.
These two terms vividly describe the nature of the human opposition faced by God's people. Cherpâh (H2781) refers to contumely, disgrace, or shame, often implying a taunt, insult, or a cause for public humiliation. Giddûwph (H1421) denotes vilification, scornful insults, or even blasphemous and contemptuous words directed at God or His people. Together, they paint a comprehensive picture of severe verbal and emotional abuse, specifically designed to shame, intimidate, and undermine the faith and resolve of God's chosen ones. The pairing emphasizes the pervasive and multifaceted nature of these verbal attacks.
Verse Breakdown
"Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness"
This opening phrase constitutes a direct, imperative call from God Himself, demanding attentive listening and obedient response. The audience is precisely identified as those who possess an intimate, experiential, and transformative knowledge of God's righteous character and His divine ways. This knowledge is not abstract or theoretical, but deeply practical, profoundly shaping their worldview, conduct, and moral compass.
"the people in whose heart [is] my law"
This clause further specifies and qualifies the nature of the audience, underscoring their profound internal commitment to God's revealed will. The "law" (Torah) is presented not merely as an external set of rules or regulations, but as an internalized, living principle, deeply embedded within their innermost being (the heart, which in Hebrew anthropology encompasses the totality of intellect, emotion, and will). This inner possession of God's law serves as the foundational source for their spiritual stability and their capacity to stand firm.
"fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings."
This is the central, emphatic command of the verse, expressed as a double negative imperative that stresses absolute fearlessness and unwavering courage. The terms "reproach" and "revilings" denote the scorn, insults, verbal abuse, and public humiliation that God's faithful people are warned they might endure from those who oppose them. The command inherently implies that such opposition is an expected reality but should under no circumstances lead to dismay, compromise, or a deviation from their divine allegiance. Their ultimate security, identity, and vindication are rooted in God alone, not in the fleeting approval or disapproval of humanity.
Literary Devices
Isaiah 51:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message with clarity and impact. The most prominent device is Direct Address, where God speaks personally and intimately to "ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law." This direct engagement creates a compelling sense of personal appeal and underscores the weighty responsibility placed upon the audience, thereby enhancing the urgency and divine authority of the command. The verse also features clear Parallelism in its latter half: "fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings." This synonymous parallelism powerfully reinforces the central message of courage and steadfastness by reiterating the core idea using slightly varied but complementary terms, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the warning against human intimidation. Furthermore, the verse implicitly utilizes Contrast by setting the enduring and transformative reality of God's law inscribed in the heart against the temporary and ultimately impotent nature of human reproach, a contrast that is made explicitly clear and expanded upon in the surrounding verses of Isaiah 51. The overall tone is one of earnest Exhortation, urging the faithful remnant to maintain their spiritual fortitude and unwavering commitment despite external pressures and societal antagonism.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Isaiah 51:7 profoundly articulates the enduring biblical principle that genuine faith is not merely intellectual assent but is demonstrably evidenced by an unwavering commitment to God's truth and character, even when confronted with intense societal opposition and scorn. It sharply delineates the crucial distinction between the reverential fear of God and the debilitating fear of man, unequivocally asserting that those whose hearts are truly aligned with God's eternal law will prioritize His approval and glory above all else. This verse underscores the profound truth that spiritual strength and resilience against external pressures flow directly from an internal transformation and an intimate, experiential knowledge of God's righteous character and His revealed will. It also serves as a poignant foreshadowing of the New Testament emphasis on suffering for righteousness' sake, affirming that such trials are an expected reality for those who bear God's name and live by His divine principles. The steadfastness commanded here is not born of mere human resilience or stoicism, but from a deep, abiding trust in God's ultimate vindication and the eternal nature of His salvation, which immeasurably outweighs any temporary human scorn or reviling.
Reflection and Application
For believers navigating the complexities of the 21st century, Isaiah 51:7 serves as a powerful and timeless anchor in an increasingly secular and often overtly hostile world. We are unequivocally called not only to embody God's righteousness in our private devotion but also to courageously manifest it in our public witness, a commitment that inevitably invites scrutiny, criticism, and even outright scorn. This verse profoundly reminds us that our primary allegiance is to God and His eternal law, not to the shifting tides of popular opinion, cultural norms, or prevailing ideologies. Cultivating a heart where God's law is deeply inscribed—through consistent and diligent engagement with His inspired Word, fervent prayer, and Spirit-led obedience—is absolutely paramount. This profound inner strength is the indispensable wellspring of courage needed to stand firm when our deepest convictions are mocked, reviled, or dismissed. When confronted with the "reproach of men," we are powerfully encouraged to remember that our ultimate vindication and eternal security come solely from God, whose judgment is perfectly righteous and whose salvation is everlasting. Our steadfastness in the face of opposition becomes a compelling testimony to the unchanging truth and sovereign power of God, demonstrating unequivocally that His approval is the only one that truly matters for eternity.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean to "know righteousness" in this context?
To "know righteousness" (H6664, tsedeq) in Isaiah 51:7 goes far beyond a mere intellectual understanding or theoretical assent. It signifies an intimate, experiential, and practical knowledge of God's character and His immutable moral standards. It implies that the individuals addressed not only comprehend what is inherently right in God's eyes but also actively embody, live out, and demonstrate that righteousness in their daily lives and conduct. They are people whose actions, attitudes, and choices consistently reflect God's justice, moral rectitude, and covenant faithfulness, making their very lives a living testament to His divine nature. This deep, transformative knowing is foundational to their ability to stand firm in the face of opposition.
Why is "the law in whose heart" so important for not fearing reproach?
The phrase "the people in whose heart is my law" (H8451, tôwrâh for law; H3820, lêb for heart) is profoundly crucial because it points to a radical internal transformation and an unwavering personal commitment. When God's law is supernaturally written on the heart, it means His will, precepts, and principles are no longer just external rules or a burdensome legal code, but have become an intrinsic, cherished, and governing part of one's identity, deepest desires, and core motivations. This internalized law provides an unshakeable inner compass, a profound sense of conviction, and an unyielding moral fortitude. It signifies that one's obedience, identity, and sense of worth are rooted in God's eternal truth, rather than being dependent on external validation, human approval, or the paralyzing fear of human opinion. This deep, personal, and Spirit-wrought conviction empowers them to disregard the taunts, scorn, and ridicule of others, knowing that their ultimate standard, judge, and vindicator is God Himself. This concept finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Covenant promise of Jeremiah 31:33.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Isaiah 51:7 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the one whose heart was entirely consumed by God's law and righteousness, and who faced the absolute zenith of "reproach of men" without fear or compromise. Jesus Himself was the righteous one who perfectly knew and flawlessly lived out God's law, not merely externally but from the deepest core of His being, demonstrating in His every action what it truly means to have God's law intrinsically inscribed in one's heart. He consistently prioritized His Father's will and glory, even when it meant enduring intense scorn, relentless mockery, and cruel reviling from religious leaders, political authorities, and the very crowds He came to save, culminating in the ultimate reproach and humiliation of the cross (e.g., Matthew 27:39-44). Yet, He "endured the cross, despising the shame" (Hebrews 12:2), demonstrating absolute and unwavering fearlessness in the face of human opposition because His focus was entirely on God's eternal purpose and the glory that awaited Him. Through His perfect life, atoning death, and triumphant resurrection, Christ not only flawlessly exemplified the command of Isaiah 51:7 but also sovereignly empowered His followers to live it out. By His indwelling Spirit, He supernaturally writes God's law on the hearts of believers, enabling them to not be conformed to this world but to stand firm in righteousness, knowing with absolute certainty that their ultimate vindication and eternal salvation are secured in Him, the one who triumphed over all reproach, reviling, and the power of sin and death.