Isaiah 26

1In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a mighty city; he sets salvation as walls and bulwark.

2Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter.

3You keep in perfect peace the one whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

4Trust in Yahweh forever, for in Yah Yahweh is the everlasting rock.

5For he has brought down those who dwell in the height, the exalted city. He brings it low—he brings it low to the ground; he brings it to dust.

6The foot, the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy will trample it.

7The way of the righteous is even. Upright one, you level the path of the righteous.

8Yes, in the path of your judgments, Yahweh, we have waited for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul.

9My soul longed for you at night; even my spirit within me seeks you early, for when your judgments reach the earth, the world's inhabitants learn righteousness.

10Even when favor is shown to the wicked, he does not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness he acts unjustly and does not see Yahweh's majesty.

11Yahweh, your hand is raised high, yet they do not see; they will see and be put to shame by the zeal for the people—yes, fire will burn up your enemies.

12Yahweh, you appoint peace for us, for you have also accomplished all our deeds for us.

13Yahweh our God, other lords apart from you have ruled over us, but by you alone will we remember your name.

14The dead will not live; the shades will not rise. Therefore you have punished them, annihilated them, and erased all memory of them.

15You have multiplied the nation, Yahweh; you have multiplied the nation. You have been glorified; you have extended all the borders of the land.

16Yahweh, in distress they sought you, pouring out a whispered prayer when your discipline was upon them.

17Like a pregnant woman drawing near to give birth, writhing and crying out in her birth pangs, so we have been before you, Yahweh.

18We conceived, we labored, as though bearing wind; we accomplished no deliverances on earth, nor did the world's inhabitants fall.

19Your dead will live; my corpse will rise. Awake and shout for joy, you who dwell in the dust, for your dew is dew of herbs, and the earth will cast out the shades.

20Go, my people, enter your chambers and shut your doors behind you; hide yourself for a little moment, until the indignation passes.

21For see, Yahweh comes from his place to punish those dwelling on earth for their iniquity. The earth will disclose her blood and no longer cover her slain.