Isaiah 26:7 - A Song of Trust in God's Provision

Audio Bible

Context

A Song of Trust in God's Provision
…6Feet trample it down—the feet of the oppressed, the steps of the poor. 7The path of the righteous is level; You clear a straight path for the upright. 8Yes, we wait for You, O LORD; we walk in the path of Your judgments. Your name and renown are the desire of our souls.…

Cross References

Proverbs 4:18
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.Psalm 37:23
The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey.Psalm 25:8-9
Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He shows sinners the way. / He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.Psalm 23:3
He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.Psalm 5:8
Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make straight Your way before me.Psalm 107:7
He led them on a straight path to reach a city where they could live.Psalm 143:10
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.Isaiah 42:16
I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light before them and rough places into level ground. These things I will do for them, and I will not forsake them.Isaiah 40:3-4
A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. / Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain.Isaiah 45:13
I will raise up Cyrus in righteousness, and I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild My city and set My exiles free, but not for payment or reward, says the LORD of Hosts.”Isaiah 48:17
Thus says the LORD your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you for your benefit, who directs you in the way you should go.Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.Luke 3:4-6
as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him. / Every valley shall be filled in, and every mountain and hill made low. The crooked ways shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth. / And all humanity will see God’s salvation.’”

Isaiah 35:8
And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

1 Chronicles 29:17
I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.

Job 27:5,6
God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me…

most

1 Samuel 2:2-4
There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God…

Job 31:6
Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.

Psalm 1:6
For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

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Isaiah 26

The path of the righteous is level;
This phrase suggests a life of moral integrity and spiritual stability. In biblical context, a "level path" symbolizes a life aligned with God's will, free from the obstacles of sin and moral compromise. Proverbs 4:26-27 advises believers to ponder the path of their feet and keep their ways straight, reinforcing the idea of a righteous life being one of clarity and purpose. The imagery of a level path also reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of a well-prepared road, which was essential for safe and efficient travel. Spiritually, it implies that God provides guidance and support to those who live righteously, ensuring their journey is smooth and directed.

You clear a straight path for the upright.
This part emphasizes God's active role in guiding and supporting those who live according to His principles. The "straight path" indicates divine intervention in removing obstacles and providing direction. In Isaiah 40:3-4, the call to prepare the way for the Lord involves making straight paths, which is echoed in the ministry of John the Baptist as he prepared the way for Jesus Christ. This connection highlights the prophetic nature of God's promise to guide His people. The concept of God clearing a path also reflects His faithfulness and sovereignty, ensuring that those who are upright in heart can walk securely and confidently in their spiritual journey.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Isaiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah's ministry spanned the reigns of several kings of Judah. He is known for his prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah and the future glory of God's people.

2. The Righteous
In this context, the righteous are those who live in accordance with God's will and commandments. They are characterized by their faithfulness and integrity.

3. The Upright
Similar to the righteous, the upright are those who maintain moral integrity and honesty. They are committed to living a life that pleases God.

4. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, where Isaiah primarily ministered. The people of Judah were often called to repentance and faithfulness through Isaiah's prophecies.

5. God
The central figure in this verse, God is the one who makes the path of the righteous level and straight, symbolizing His guidance and provision for those who follow Him.

Teaching Points

God's Guidance
God actively guides the lives of the righteous, ensuring their paths are level and straight. This reflects His faithfulness and care for those who seek to live according to His will.

Righteous Living
Living a righteous life involves aligning one's actions and decisions with God's commandments. This commitment results in divine guidance and a clear path forward.

Trust in God's Plan
Even when circumstances seem uncertain, trusting in God's plan ensures that He will make our paths straight. This requires faith and reliance on His wisdom.

Moral Integrity
Upholding moral integrity and honesty is crucial for the upright. God honors such commitment by providing clarity and direction in life.

Spiritual Journey
The journey of faith is not always easy, but God promises to make the path level for those who are committed to Him. This encourages perseverance and dedication in our spiritual walk.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 26What defines true righteousness according to the Bible?What are the Bible's esoteric keys?How can 'the wicked flee when no one pursues' (Proverbs 28:1) always hold true when many powerful wrongdoers seem unafraid?Does Romans 7:23-24's depiction of a 'law waging war' conflict with Psalms and other texts that describe humans as inherently capable of righteousness?

(7) The way of the just is uprightness.--The English version seems somewhat tautologous. Better, is straight, or is even--i.e., leads on without interruption to its appointed end. So, in the second clause, instead of "thou shalt weigh the path," which conveys a not very intelligible thought, we render, makest smooth the path. Probably, too, the word translated, "most upright," as if it were a vocative, should be taken adverbially. The verse is, as it were, an echo of Proverbs 4:26; Proverbs 5:6; Proverbs 5:21.

Verse 7. - The way of the just is uprightness; or, the path for the just is straight. It is one of the main blessings of the righteous that God "makes their way straight before their face" (Psalm 4:8), "leads them in a plain path" (Psalm 27:11), "shows them the way they are to walk in" (Psalm 143:8), so that they are for the most part free from doubt and perplexity as to the line of conduct which it behooves them to, pursue. If this is so in the present life, still more will it be the uniform condition of the just in another sphere. Then God will of a surety "direct all their paths" (Proverbs 3:6). Thou, most upright, dost weigh; literally, O upright One, thou dost weigh. The term "upright" is applied to God in Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 25:8; and Psalm 92:16. By "weighing the path of the just" is meant keeping it, as Justice keeps her scales, straight and level. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

The path
אֹ֥רַח (’ō·raḥ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 734: A well-trodden road, a caravan

of the righteous
לַצַּדִּ֖יק (laṣ·ṣad·dîq)
Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

is level;
מֵֽישָׁרִ֑ים (mê·šā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4339: Evenness, prosperity, concord, straightness, rectitude

You clear
תְּפַלֵּֽס׃ (tə·p̄al·lês)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6424: To roll flat, prepare, to revolve, weigh

a straight
צַדִּ֖יק (ṣad·dîq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

path
מַעְגַּ֥ל (ma‘·gal)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4570: An entrenchment, track

for the righteous.
יָשָׁ֕ר (yā·šār)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3477: Straight, right

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Isaiah 26:7 Catholic BibleOT Prophets: Isaiah 26:7 The way of the just is uprightness (Isa Isi Is)