Text -- Isaiah 59:12-21 (NET)

59:12 For you are aware of our many rebellious deeds, and our sins testify against us; indeed, we are aware of our rebellious deeds; we know our sins all too well. 59:13 We have rebelled and tried to deceive the Lord; we turned back from following our God. We stir up oppression and rebellion; we tell lies we concocted in our minds. 59:14 Justice is driven back; godliness stands far off. Indeed, honesty stumbles in the city square and morality is not even able to enter. 59:15 Honesty has disappeared; the one who tries to avoid evil is robbed. The Lord watches and is displeased, for there is no justice.

The Lord Intervenes

59:16 He sees there is no advocate; he is shocked that no one intervenes. So he takes matters into his own hands; his desire for justice drives him on. 59:17 He wears his desire for justice like body armor, and his desire to deliver is like a helmet on his head. He puts on the garments of vengeance and wears zeal like a robe. 59:18 He repays them for what they have done, dispensing angry judgment to his adversaries and punishing his enemies. He repays the coastlands. 59:19 In the west, people respect the Lord’s reputation; in the east they recognize his splendor. For he comes like a rushing stream driven on by wind sent from the Lord. 59:20 “A protector comes to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their rebellious deeds,” says the Lord. 59:21 “As for me, this is my promise to them,” says the Lord. “My spirit, who is upon you, and my words, which I have placed in your mouth, will not depart from your mouth or from the mouths of your children and descendants from this time forward,” says the Lord.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Isa 59:12

¹ tn Heb “for many are our rebellious deeds before you.”

² tn Heb “indeed [or “for”] our rebellious deeds (are) with us, and our sins, we know them.”

NET Notes: Isa 59:13

¹ tn Heb “speaking.” A new sentence was started here in the translation for stylistic reasons.

² tn Heb “conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.”

NET Notes: Isa 59:14

¹ tn Or “righteousness” (ASV, NASB, NIV, NRSV); KJV, NAB “justice.”

² tn Or “for” (KJV, NRSV).

NET Notes: Isa 59:15

¹ tn Heb “and it is displeasing in his eyes.”

NET Notes: Isa 59:16

¹ tn Heb “man” (so KJV, ASV); TEV “no one to help.”

² tn Or “appalled” (NAB, NIV, NRSV), or “disgusted.”

³ tn Heb “and his arm delivers for him.”

⁴ tn Heb “and his justice [or “righteousness”] supports him.”

NET Notes: Isa 59:17

¹ tn Or “righteousness” (KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV, NLT); NCV “goodness.”

² tn Or “a breastplate” (traditional; so many English versions); TEV “a coat of armour.”

³ tn Heb “and [as] a helmet deliverance on his head.”

⁴ tn Heb “and he puts on the clothes of vengeance [as] a garment.”

NET Notes: Isa 59:18

¹ tn Heb “in accordance with deeds, so he repays, anger to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies.”

² tn Or “islands” (KJV, NIV).

NET Notes: Isa 59:19

¹ tc Heb “fear.” A few medieval Hebrew mss read “see.”

² tn Heb “and they fear from the west the name of the Lord.”

³ tn Heb “and from the rising of the sun his splendor.”

⁴ tn Heb “narrow”; NAB, NIV, NRSV “pent-up.”

⁵ tn Heb “the wind of the Lord drives it on.” The term רוּחַ (ruakh) could be translated “breath” here (see 30:28).

NET Notes: Isa 59:20

¹ tn Or “redeemer.” See the note at 41:14.

² tn Heb “and to those who turn from rebellion in Jacob.”

NET Notes: Isa 59:21

¹ tn Or “my covenant with” (so many English versions); NCV “my agreement with.”

sn The Lord promises the repentant (note “to them”) that they and their offspring will possess his spirit and function as his spokesmen. In this regard they follow in the footsteps of the Lord’s special servant. See 42:1; 49:2; 51:16.

² tn Heb “from now and on into the future.”