Isaiah 26:3

Context

The verse belongs to Isaiah 24–27. Because this section portrays judgment and salvation on a worldwide scale, scholars commonly call it the "Isaiah Apocalypse." Chapter 26 opens with a song to be sung "in that day… in the land of Judah." It praises the "strong city" for which God will "appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks" (Isaiah 26:1) and calls for the gates to be opened so that "the righteous nation" may enter (26:2). The verse is a confession addressed to God within that song. Immediately afterward, the song urges, "Trust ye in the LORD for ever" (26:4), and declares that the lofty city is laid low (26:5). The verse is therefore, first of all, part of a song sung by a redeemed community.

Interpretation

The Hebrew text uses the word for "peace" (shalom) twice in succession. Korean translations preserve this repetition: the Korean Revised Version reads literally "in peace upon peace," and the New Korean Revised Version "so as to be at peace and at peace." In Hebrew, the repetition of a word is often understood to express completeness or emphasis. The word rendered "mind" refers to the thoughts or disposition of the heart. The word rendered "stayed" ("firm" in Korean translations) is explained as carrying the sense of "leaning on" or "being supported."

• Historical and communal reading: The verse is read as a song declaring that God will protect the community of Judah that trusts in Him. Here "peace" has a broad meaning that includes security and restoration.
• Devotional reading: The verse is read as describing the inner peace enjoyed by the believer whose heart is set on God. This is the most common reading in preaching and meditation.
• Eschatological reading: Attending to the phrase "in that day," this reading sees the verse as anticipating the peace God's people will enjoy when salvation is consummated (see eschatology).
• Reading alongside the New Testament: The verse is read together with Philippians 4:6-7, which says that the peace of God shall keep the heart, and John 14:27, which speaks of the peace Jesus gives. Many commentators and preachers treat the verse as a text illustrating the relationship between faith and peace.

Questions of Application

The verse is not the subject of any distinct doctrinal dispute between denominations. Several questions, however, have been raised.

• What is the ground of peace? If "whose mind is stayed" is read as firm human resolve, peace may sound as though it depends on human effort. In response, some explain that the original sense is closer to "leaning on God," and that the verse itself gives the reason for peace: "because he trusteth in thee."
• To whom is it addressed? Some point out that quoting the community's song of salvation narrowly as a matter of individual self-mastery departs from its original context.
• What kind of peace? Some caution against reading this peace as a promise that circumstances will always go smoothly, noting that the surrounding context is set against a background of judgment and tribulation.

Related Passages

• Isaiah 26:4
• Isaiah 30:15
• Philippians 4:4-6
• John 14:27
• Psalm 125:1-2