Isaiah 26:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The foot tramples it, the feet of the poor, the steps of the needy."

NIV: Feet trample it down— the feet of the oppressed, the footsteps of the poor.

NASB: The foot will trample it, The feet of the poor, the steps of the helpless.'

CSB: Feet trample it, the feet of the humble, the steps of the poor.

NLT: The poor and oppressed trample it underfoot, and the needy walk all over it.

KJV: The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.

NKJV: The foot shall tread it down— The feet of the poor And the steps of the needy.”

The Lord's people are to put their full trust and hope in Him and Him alone. The "lofty city" (Isaiah 25:2, 12) may seem to be an unstoppable force from an earthly perspective. This city would hint at safety, security, and deliverance from harm. In the end, the Lord will destroy that "lofty" place and the false security it brings. Only the Lord's own city will be secure forever (Isaiah 26:5).

Further details are given to that once honored city of the world. Not only will it be cast down, but it will be trampled underfoot by the feet of the "least" important people on earth: those who are poor and in need. Not only will that city of worldliness fail to protect its inhabitants from powerful foreign invaders, but it won't be able to keep out those wandering in looking for food or anything of value.

What is the world city? In Isaiah's time, it may have been a reference to the strength of other nations to protect Israel from powerful enemies. In every era, the world city offers false comfort and security to those who will seek their own good instead of trusting the Lord to provide what they need (1 John 2:15–17).

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 The towering city of wickedness has been replaced by the strong city of salvation.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).