Isaias lvii.
Notes & Commentary:
Ver. 1. The just. Christ, (Calmet) Josias, (Grotius) or any whose cause is just, yet finds no protection from such corrupt magistrates. (Haydock) — Evil, by the wicked, or to prevent his fall, 4 Kings xii. 20. People little consider what a loss the world sustains, when those die who might have averted the divine wrath. (Calmet) — They are usually taken away, that they may not witness such misfortunes, and are settled in eternal peace. (Worthington)
Ver. 2. Bed. The grave which affords rest to the virtuous, Josias, &c. (Calmet)
Ver. 3. Sorceress. Septuagint, “lawless” children. (Haydock)
Ver. 4. Tongue, in contempt. Saints, and particularly Jesus Christ, have been exposed to ridicule.
Ver. 5. Comfort. Hebrew, “heat,” abandoning yourselves to shameful excesses. — Torrents, to avoid being seen. Such sacrifices would have been incredible, if the Scriptures, and all history did not prove their existence, Deuteronomy xii. 31., and Wisdom xii. 3., and 4 Kings xxiii. 10.
Ver. 6. Them. The stones of the torrent, which were often the objects of adoration, Leviticus xxvi. 1., and Genesis xxviii. 18. The god, Helagabalus, was a rough boundary stone.
Ver. 7. Bed, like a shameless prostitute. The idols are generally represented in this light, as corrupting God’s people. (Calmet)
Ver. 8. Remembrance. Domestic gods. (St. Jerome) The Lares or Penates were usually placed in the court or porch. The Jews probably used Hecate or Trivia, for the same purpose, chap. lxv. 11., and lxvi. 17. To prevent this impiety, God had ordered some of the law to be written on the doors, Deuteronomy vi. 9. But this it seems was disregarded, 4 Kings xxiii. 8., and 1 Machabees i. 58., and Ezechiel viii. 5. — Near me. Idols were placed in the very temple, Jeremias xxxv. 15., and 4 Kings xxi. 4., and Ezechiel viii. 3., and xvi. 17. (Calmet) — Hand. Protestants, “where thou sawest it.” Thou didst even invite thy lovers by presents, Ezechiel xvi. 32. (Haydock)
Ver. 9. King. Moloc, or (Calmet) any foreign king, of whose alliance God did not approve. (Theodoret) — To please them, the true religion was adulterated.
Ver. 10. Rest. They were obstinate before the coming of Nabuchodonosor, and of the Romans. — Asked. Confiding in their own strength.
Ver. 11. Afraid, since thou hast despised me, my laws and offers.
Ver. 12. Justice. He speaks ironically. (Calmet) — Self-righteousness is vicious. (Haydock)
Ver. 13. Companies, or princes, in whom thou hast confided. Assyria and Egypt cannot save themselves. (Calmet)
Ver. 14. And I. Seeing there is no aid in man, God will save his people for his own goodness’ sake. (Haydock)
Ver. 16. End. I will not always threaten or be angry, Genesis vi. 3. (Calmet) — Spirit. Holy Ghost. (St. Irenæus v. 12.) (St. Augustine) — God spares the humble penitent, and grants what they desire with as much eagerness as a sailor does a fair wind. (Worthington) — He does not regard the indifferent. (Haydock)
Ver. 17. Heart. Dreadful state of the abandoned sinner! (Deuteronomy xxxii. 21., and Psalm xii. 2., and xliii. 24.)
Ver. 19. Lips. Whatever they could ask, so that they might sing canticles. All shall be content. He alludes to the liberation of the captives, which was near, and to the redemption of mankind far off. (Calmet)
Ver. 20. Dirt. Literally, “treading,” conculcationem. (Haydock) — The works of the wicked are fruitless. They have no content. (Calmet)
Non enim gazæ neque consularis
Summovet lictor miseros tumultus,
Mentis et curas laqueata circum,
Tecta volantes. —– (Horace, ii. ode 16.)
— The obstinate sinner can receive no pardon. (Worthington)
Bible Text & Cross-references:
The infidelity of the Jews: their idolatry. Promises to humble penitents.
1 The just perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart, and men of mercy are taken away, because there is none that understandeth; for the just man is taken away from before the face of evil.
2 Let peace come, let him rest in his bed that hath walked in his uprightness.
3 But draw near hither, you sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer, and of the harlot.
4 Upon whom have you jested? upon whom have you opened your mouth wide, and put out your tongue? are not you wicked children, a false seed?
5 Who seek your comfort in idols under every green tree, sacrificing children in the torrents, under the high rocks?
6 In the parts of the torrent is thy portion, this is thy lot: and thou hast poured out libations to them, thou hast offered sacrifice. Shall I not be angry at these things?
7 Upon a high and lofty mountain thou hast laid thy bed, and hast gone up thither to offer victims.
8 And behind the door, and behind the post, thou hast set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself besides me, and hast received an adulterer: thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made a covenant with them: thou hast loved their bed with open hand.
9 And thou hast adorned thyself for the king, with ointment, and hast multiplied thy perfumes. Thou hast sent thy messengers far off, and wast debased even to hell.
10 Thou hast been wearied in the multitude of thy ways: yet thou saidst not: I will rest: thou hast found life of thy hand, therefore thou hast not asked.
11 For whom hast thou been solicitous and afraid, that thou hast lied, and hast not been mindful of me, nor thought on me in thy heart? for I am silent, and as one that seeth not, and thou hast forgotten me.
12 I will declare thy justice, and thy works shall not profit thee.
13 When thou shalt cry, let thy companies deliver thee, but the wind shall carry them all off, a breeze shall take them away: but he that putteth his trust in me, shall inherit the land, and shall possess my holy mount.
14 And I will say: *Make a way: give free passage, turn out of the path, take away the stumbling-blocks out of the way of my people.
15 For thus saith the High and the eminent that inhabiteth eternity: and his name is Holy, who dwelleth in the high and holy place, and with a contrite and humble spirit: to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
16 For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be angry unto the end: because the spirit shall go forth from my face, and breathings I will make.
17 For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry, and I struck him: I hid my face from thee, and was angry: and he went away wandering in the way of his own heart.
18 I saw his ways, and I healed him, and brought him back, and restored comforts to him, and to them that mourn for him.
19 I created the fruit of the lips, peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, said the Lord, and I healed him.
20 But the wicked are like the raging sea, which cannot rest, and the waves thereof cast up dirt and mire.
21 *There is no peace to the wicked, saith the Lord God.
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14: Isaias lxii. 10.
21: Isaias xlviii. 22.