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Isaiah 25:4
ESV For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall,
NIV You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall
NASB For You have been a stronghold for the helpless, A stronghold for the poor in his distress, A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the breath of the ruthless Is like a rain storm against a wall.
CSB For you have been a stronghold for the poor person, a stronghold for the needy in his distress, a refuge from storms and a shade from heat. When the breath of the violent is like a storm against a wall,
NLT But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O Lord, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress. You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat. For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against a wall,
KJV For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.
NKJV For You have been a strength to the poor, A strength to the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, A shade from the heat; For the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

What does Isaiah 25:4 mean?

This chapter started with a celebration of the Lord for His righteous acts of defeating those who oppose Him (Isaiah 25:1–3). Prideful people can become ruthless: willing to do whatever terrible things are required to defeat their enemies and take all the power for themselves. The clearest example of such people during Isaiah's time were the utterly merciless and cruel Assyrians.

When the Lord reveals His limitless strength and power against such people, they are either destroyed or humbled and learn to fear Him. The strong people, those who submit willingly to the Lord, continue to give God glory. The point is not just that God will put arrogant, violent nations in their place. It's that the Lord also acts to protect the poor and needy because of His great concern for them (Psalm 9:9; 62:6). The vulnerable can run to the Lord and find refuge from those who will take advantage of them out in the world.

Weather is used as a metaphor in this section. When the storm hits, the Lord is a shelter. When the heat blasts, as it often does in the desert regions around Israel, the Lord is a shade. The Lord is worthy of praise because He exists to protect His people from harm. Within his metaphor, Isaiah describes the ruthless warriors as the storm and the heat. The Lord stands between them and those who depend on Him.
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