Isaiah 26:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: "We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks.

NIV: In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; God makes salvation its walls and ramparts.

NASB: On that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: 'We have a strong city; He sets up walls and ramparts for security.

CSB: On that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city. Salvation is established as walls and ramparts.

NLT: In that day, everyone in the land of Judah will sing this song: Our city is strong! We are surrounded by the walls of God’s salvation.

KJV: In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.

NKJV: In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city; God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks.

Chapter 26 continues an important theme (Isaiah 24—25). Looking forward to the end times, Isaiah sees that the Lord has defeated the enemies of Israel and established Himself as king of Israel. In this time the Lord is reigning over the earth from His throne in Jerusalem. The great feast of ordination and celebration has taken place (Isaiah 25:6).

He now introduces a song to be sung in the land "in that day." This phrase refers to this moment in the end times during the Messiah's reign as king over the earth. Many scholars and traditions understand Isaiah as referring to the millennial kingdom in these chapters. This song of praise to the Lord continues the metaphor of cities. In the previous two chapters, the judgment of God devastates "the city." This "world city" refers to all those opposed to the Lord. This "city" once was so imposing and seemingly unbeatable, is left a desolate ruin (Isaiah 24:9–12; Isaiah 25:2).

Now he points to a different city, the city of the Lord. This fortress for God's people will truly be unbeatable. Poetically, Isaiah declares that its defensive walls are constructed of "salvation."

Isaiah 26:1–15 celebrates the Lord's future victory over wickedness on the earth and looks forward to the coming of God's judgment. Isaiah longs for that judgment to come. But the prophet knows the Lord gives perfect peace to all who stay focused on trusting Him. Only the Lord God remains of all those who attempted to rule over Israel.

Chapter 26 is a song to be sung in the land of Judah during the time of the Lord's reign as king over the earth. The towering city of wickedness has been replaced by the strong city of salvation. Isaiah waits, longing for the Lord to come and judge the sinfulness of the world. The Lord will bring peace to Israel for good. Their other rulers are dead and not worthy of remembering. The Lord's discipline has caused His people to turn back to Him. The dead among them will be resurrected after the fury of His judgment.

Chapter 26 is part of a larger section that includes chapters 24–27. The section of the book follows the descriptions of the Lord's judgment on the earth and the beginning of His kingdom through a song to be sung in Judah during that time. The wicked city of the world has been replaced with the city of salvation. Isaiah longs for the Lord to come and judge the earth. The prophet wants all to see the Lord's zeal for His own people by destroying His enemies. Isaiah remembers God's discipline and looks forward to the resurrection of the dead among His people.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).