Isaiah 24:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise, of glory to the Righteous One. But I say, “I waste away, I waste away. Woe is me! For the traitors have betrayed, with betrayal the traitors have betrayed.”

NIV: From the ends of the earth we hear singing: 'Glory to the Righteous One.' But I said, 'I waste away, I waste away! Woe to me! The treacherous betray! With treachery the treacherous betray!'

NASB: From the ends of the earth we hear songs: 'Glory to the Righteous One,' But I say, 'I am finished! I am finished! Woe to me! The treacherous deal treacherously, And the treacherous deal very treacherously.'

CSB: From the ends of the earth we hear songs: The Splendor of the Righteous One. But I said, "I waste away! I waste away! Woe is me." The treacherous act treacherously; the treacherous deal very treacherously.

NLT: We hear songs of praise from the ends of the earth, songs that give glory to the Righteous One! But my heart is heavy with grief. Weep for me, for I wither away. Deceit still prevails, and treachery is everywhere.

KJV: From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.

NKJV: From the ends of the earth we have heard songs: “Glory to the righteous!” But I said, “I am ruined, ruined! Woe to me! The treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously, Indeed, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.”

In a surprising turn, the torment of survivors of judgment (Isaiah 24:4–13) has been interrupted by voices lifted in song (Isaiah 24:14–15). These voices are singing joyful praise to the Lord, the God of Israel. They have come from the east, the west, and the coastlands. Now they are joined by voices from the ends of the earth.

Despite the desolation of the earth, those who have come to trust in Christ recognize what the Lord has done. They have agreed that the Lord is the righteous judge and have acknowledged His majesty. Unlike the scattered, isolated, and mourning unbelievers suffering through this time of agony, these worshipers of the Lord are unified in voice and spirit. The contrast is overwhelming.

Isaiah is not ready to join in on these songs of praise. For one thing, he listens from many centuries before the events he has been describing. He still lives in a world choked with human sin and misery. He feels sick and drained at his own awareness of his sinful time. He is surrounded by spiritual traitors to the Creator; the Lord's justice had not yet come for them.

Isaiah describes terrible judgment the Lord will bring on the earth during the final days. The Lord will twist the surface of the earth, scattering the people. All will suffer equally regardless of status, and the earth will be fully emptied. Everything will wither and languish. The Lord will do this because of human sinfulness against Him. Few will survive, and there will be no wine, music, or gladness. The only exception to this will be the singing of those who praise the Lord. Massive earthquakes will destroy the earth, and the Lord will lock up all who stood against Him before beginning His reign as king.

Chapter 24 follows the oracles of Isaiah against the nations in chapters 13–23. However, this prophecy is against the entire earth. Here, we find the description of the judgment of the Lord on all humanity during the last days. God will destroy the world in response to human sinfulness. He will ruin the face of the earth, causing people to scatter. Few will survive. Wine, music, and gladness will disappear. Earthquakes will destroy the earth. The Lord will gather the powers from heaven and earth and lock them up together before beginning His reign on earth.

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).