Isaiah 26:5

“For he bringeth down them that dwell on high, the lofty city, &c.] That dwell on high in the high city, so the accents require the words to be rendered; and accordingly the Targum is, “for he will bring low the inhabitants of the high and strong city;” such that dwell in a city built on high, and in the high towers and palaces of it; or that sit on high thrones, are spiritual wickednesses in high places, and are of proud and haughty dispositions and conduct; as the pope of Rome and his cardinals, &c.; for not the city of Jerusalem is here meant, as Jerom thinks, whose destruction he supposes is foretold, as both by the Babylonians and Romans; and therefore, he observes, the word is doubled…”

“lofty city--Babylon; representative of the stronghold of the foes of God's people in all ages (Isa 25:2, Isa 25:12; Isa 13:14).”

“On high - He speaks not so much of height of place, as of dignity and power, in which sense also he mentions the lofty city in the next clause. Lofty city - Which may be understood either of proud Babylon, or of all the strong and stately cities of God's enemies. Isaiah 26:6”

“26:5 The proud and arrogant are often characterized as exalting themselves (see 2:11-12), whereas God humbles them.”

“bringeth: Isa 2:12, Isa 13:11, Isa 14:13, Isa 25:11; Job 40:11-13 the lofty: Isa 25:12, Isa 32:19, Isa 47:1; Jer 50:31, Jer 50:32, Jer 51:25, Jer 51:26, Jer 51:37, Jer 51:64; Rev 18:2 Isaiah 26:6”

“He has already proved Himself to be such a rock, on which everything breaks that would attack the faithful whom He surrounds. "For He hath bent down them that dwell on high; the towering castle, He tore it down, tore it down to the earth, cast it into dust. The foot treads it to pieces, feet of the poor, steps of the lowly." Passing beyond the fall of Moab, the fall of the imperial city is celebrated, to which Moab was only an annex ( Isa 25:1-2; Isa 24:10-12). The futures are determined by the preterite; and the anadiplosis, which in other instances (e.g., Isa 25:1, cf., Psa 118:11) links together derivatives or variations of form, is satisfied in this instance with changing the forms of…”