Isaiah Chapter 57 — Peace for the Humble and Restless Wicked
Isaiah 57 contrasts the peaceful rest of the righteous with the exhausting idolatry of the wicked, concluding with God's promise to heal the humble.
1The righteous perish,
2He enters into peace.
3“But draw near here, you sons of a sorceress,
4Whom do you mock?
5you who inflame yourselves among the oaks,
6Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion.
7On a high and lofty mountain you have set your bed.
8You have set up your memorial behind the doors and the posts,
9You went to the king with oil,
10You were wearied with the length of your ways;
11“Whom have you dreaded and feared,
12I will declare your righteousness;
13When you cry,
14He will say, “Build up, build up, prepare the way!
15For the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity,
16For I will not contend forever, neither will I always be angry;
17I was angry because of the iniquity of his covetousness and struck him.
18I have seen his ways, and will heal him.
19I create the fruit of the lips:
20But the wicked are like the troubled sea;
21“There is no peace”, says my God,
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Isaiah 57:15
“For the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit."”
It beautifully highlights God's transcendent nature alongside His personal closeness to the humble.
Isaiah 57:21
““There is no peace”, says my God, “for the wicked.””
This verse serves as a definitive conclusion regarding the spiritual state of those who reject God's ways.
Chapter Summary
Isaiah 57 opens by observing that the righteous perish and enter into peace, often unnoticed by the living. The focus then shifts to a stern rebuke of the people's idolatry, describing their ritualistic unfaithfulness among the oaks and valleys. The text portrays the wicked as wearying themselves with long journeys and false hopes in other gods while forgetting the true God. However, the tone shifts toward mercy as the 'high and lofty One' declares He will not contend forever. God promises to revive the spirit of the humble and the heart of the contrite. He offers healing and peace to those who are near and far. In contrast, the chapter concludes by comparing the wicked to a troubled sea that cannot find rest, stating definitively that there is no peace for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
The text states that when the righteous perish, they enter into peace and rest. This transition is described as being taken away from the evil to come, suggesting a form of divine protection even in death.
God describes Himself as the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity. He states that while He dwells in the high and holy place, He also dwells with those who possess a contrite and humble spirit.
The wicked are compared to a troubled sea that cannot rest, constantly stirring up mire and dirt. Their rejection of God and pursuit of idols leaves them in a state of perpetual restlessness and spiritual turmoil.
Study Note
The imagery of the 'troubled sea' in verse 20 provides a stark literary contrast to the 'peace' promised to the righteous in the opening verses.
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