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Isaiah 25:4

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 25:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For thou hast been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For thou hast been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.
Isaiah 25:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 25

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1O Jehovah, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things, [even] counsels of old, in faithfulness [and] truth.
2For thou hast made of a city a heap, of a fortified city a ruin, a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built.
3Therefore shall a strong people glorify thee; a city of terrible nations shall fear thee.
4For thou hast been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.
5As the heat in a dry place wilt thou bring down the noise of strangers; as the heat by the shade of a cloud, the song of the terrible ones shall be brought low.
6And in this mountain will Jehovah of hosts make unto all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
7And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering that covereth all peoples, and the veil that is spread over all nations.
← Isaiah 25:3Isaiah 25:5 →
← Full Chapter 25 Isaiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, &c.] The people of God, who are poor and needy, both in a literal and in a spiritual sense; and especially when under afflicted circumstances, in times of desertion, temptation, bodily affliction, and persecution from men, which may be here chiefly intended; to whom the Lord is a strength: he strengthens their hearts, and his own grace in them; he sheds abroad his love in their hearts, which makes their mountain to stand strong; he directs them to Christ, in whom is strength, as well as righteousness; he strengthens them by his Spirit, his promises, word, and ordinances. Christ may be more especially meant;…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“the poor . . . needy--the Jews, exiles from their country (Isa 26:6; Isa 41:17). heat--calamity (Isa 4:6; Isa 32:2). blast--that is, wrath. storm--a tempest of rain, a winter flood, rushing against and overthrowing the wall of a house.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For thou hast been a strength to the poor - Thou hast sustained and upheld them in their trials, and hast delivered them. God is often spoken of as the strength of his people. Isaiah 26:4 : ‘In the Lord Yahweh is everlasting strength.’ Psalms 27:1 : ‘The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?’ Psalms 28:8; Psalms 29:11; Psalms 31:2; Psalms 46:1; Isaiah 45:24. By the ‘poor’ and the ‘needy’ here undoubtedly are mean; the captive Jews who had been stripped of their wealth, and carried from their homes, and confined in Babylon. A refuge - A place of safety; a retreat; a protection. God is often spoken of as such a refuge; Deuteronomy 33:27 : ‘The eternal God is thy refuge.’…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“For - For thou hast defended thy poor and helpless people. As a storm - Makes a great noise, but without any effect. Isaiah 25:5”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“thou hast: Isa 11:4, Isa 14:32, Isa 29:19, Isa 33:2, Isa 66:2; Job 5:15, Job 5:16; Psa 12:5, Psa 35:10; Psa 72:4, Psa 72:13, Psa 107:41, Psa 119:31; Zep 3:12; Jam 2:5 a refuge: Isa 4:5, Isa 4:6, Isa 32:2 when: Isa 32:18, Isa 32:19, Isa 37:3, Isa 37:4, Isa 37:36; Eze 13:11-13; Mat 7:25-27 Isaiah 25:5”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification