Kept in Perfect Peace

Isaiah 26 is a song for the day of salvation, "sung in the land of Judah." It contrasts two cities: God's strong city, with "salvation for walls and bulwarks," and the lofty city that God brings down "even to the dust." The gates open for "the righteous nation... the one which keeps faith." The Hebrew of verse 3 doubles the word peace, which English renders as "perfect peace": "You will keep whoever's mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you."

"Trust in Yahweh forever; for in Yah, Yahweh, is an everlasting Rock." The righteous walk a level path, waiting for God: "With my soul I have desired you in the night. Yes, with my spirit within me I will seek you earnestly." Isaiah admits that the people could not bring deliverance by their own effort, but God had "also done all our work for us." In the New Testament, Paul writes that God's peace guards hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

The song climaxes with resurrection hope: "Your dead shall live. Their dead bodies shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust; for your dew is like the dew of herbs." Like dew reviving plants, God will bring his people back to life. In the New Testament, Colossians 1:18 calls Christ the firstborn from the dead. Meanwhile, God's people are told to shelter in their rooms "for a little moment, until the indignation is past."