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Isaiah 26:9

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With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments [are] in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

With my soul {H5315} have I desired {H183} thee in the night {H3915}; yea, with my spirit {H7307} within {H7130} me will I seek thee early {H7836}: for when thy judgments {H4941} are in the earth {H776}, the inhabitants {H3427} of the world {H8398} will learn {H3925} righteousness {H6664}.

My soul desires you at night, my spirit in me seeks you at dawn; for when your judgments are here on earth, the people in the world learn what righteousness is.

My soul longs for You in the night; indeed, my spirit seeks You at dawn. For when Your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.

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.

Commentary

Isaiah 26:9 is a poignant expression of deep spiritual longing for God, coupled with a prophetic insight into the transformative power of divine justice.

Context

This verse is part of a prophetic song of praise and trust found in Isaiah chapters 24-27, often referred to as "Isaiah's Apocalypse." Following declarations of God's global judgment and the ultimate restoration of His people, this passage emphasizes the deep personal devotion that arises from understanding God's sovereign control over the earth. It portrays a people who, having witnessed or anticipated divine justice, respond with earnest seeking of the Lord, recognizing His ultimate purpose.

Key Themes

  • Profound Spiritual Desire: The opening phrase, "With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early," speaks to a profound, unwavering devotion to God. This isn't a casual interest but an intense longing that permeates one's entire being ('soul,' 'spirit'). The mention of 'night' suggests a time of distress, darkness, or waiting, yet even then, the desire for God persists. To 'seek thee early' signifies diligence, priority, and earnestness, often associated with seeking God at the dawn of a new day or before engaging in other tasks. This mirrors the biblical call to seek the Lord with all your heart.
  • Divine Judgments and Righteousness: The second part of the verse reveals the purpose behind God's acts of justice: "for when thy judgments [are] in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." God's 'judgments' are not merely punitive but are corrective and instructive. They serve as a powerful catalyst for spiritual awakening and moral transformation. When humanity experiences or observes God's righteous interventions in the world, it leads to a recognition of His holiness and a subsequent desire to align with His standards. This concept aligns with the understanding that God's judgments are true and righteous, intended to lead to good.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "desired" (חָמַד, chamad) carries a strong sense of delight or coveting, indicating an intense longing for God's presence and will.
  • "Seek... early" comes from the verb שָׁחַר (shachar), meaning to seek diligently, often at dawn, emphasizing earnest and persistent pursuit.
  • "Judgments" (מִשְׁפָּטִים, mishpatim) refers to God's decrees, ordinances, or acts of justice, which establish order and reveal His righteous character.

Practical Application

This verse encourages believers to cultivate a deep, persistent longing for God, especially during challenging times ('in the night'). Our devotion should be earnest and proactive ('seek thee early'). It also offers a profound perspective on suffering and global events: God's hand is at work even in difficulties, using them to bring about a greater understanding of His righteousness. Ultimately, there is hope that through His divine interventions, the world will increasingly come to know the glory of the Lord and learn His ways.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 6:33 (13 votes)

    But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

  • Psalms 119:62 (8 votes)

    ¶ At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

  • Psalms 63:1 (8 votes)

    ¶ A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou [art] my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

  • Song Of Solomon 3:1 (8 votes)

    ¶ By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

  • Song Of Solomon 3:4 (8 votes)

    [It was] but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

  • Psalms 63:6 (7 votes)

    When I remember thee upon my bed, [and] meditate on thee in the [night] watches.

  • Psalms 63:7 (7 votes)

    ¶ Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.