Isaiah 26:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

NIV: You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

NASB: The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.

CSB: You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you.

NLT: You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

KJV: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

NKJV: You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

This is one of the most famous and most loved verses in all of Isaiah, and with good reason. However, It must be taken in the context of what Isaiah is writing. This song to the Lord is specifically regarding a song of praise to be sung in Judah during the Lord's reign as king on the earth (Isaiah 26:1). The nations who hold to faith in the Lord may enter God's eternal and secure city. Isaiah is describing a "city," ruled by God, in contrast to the worldly "city" of prior verses (Psalm 25:2). Human righteousness will not be enough for a nation to be welcomed into the city. It is reserved for those who trust in the Lord (Isaiah 26:2).

Now Isaiah moves from the nation to individual people living long before the arrival of Messiah and His city. Isaiah says to those in the present that "perfect peace" is possible here and now. The Lord provides this to those whose minds are focused on the Lord through trusting in Him.

Perfect peace is not a state without any anxiety at all, or one where life is always easy and perfect. The prophet is describing internal peace. This would be a feeling of confident contentment independent of circumstances. It is a mind focused on trusting the Lord to provide all that is needed in the present, the future, and for salvation.

Why, then do many of the Lord's people live in anxiety, fear, and conflict? Isaiah would answer that our minds are not focused on the Lord. Paul describes what it means to keep our minds directed to God in Philippians 4:4–9. He describes God's promise to those in Christ who trust Him: "The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).

To live in such perfect peace is available to every Christian. But it can be a hard-fought battle to rest in that faith in the Lord. That battle may be harder for some than others. But it is possible to rest in that hope of the Lord, even if some days are hard.

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).