A Song Of Two Cities.

A SONG OF TWO CITIES.

Isaiah 26:1-6.

“In that day” (ISAIAH 26:1) points to the Gospel day. It is in the Gospel day that the Lord causes ‘the tongue of the dumb’ to ‘sing’ (cf. Isaiah 35:5). It is in the Gospel day that ‘He put a new song in my mouth, our God to magnify; Many shall see it and shall fear, and on the Lord rely’ (cf. Psalm 40:3).

The first stanza of this song (ISAIAH 26:1-6) is about two cities. The first city mentioned is our “strong city” (ISAIAH 26:1), which has “salvation” appointed as “walls and bulwarks.” Jesus’ very Name means ‘salvation.’

This “strong city” is seen first in “the tribe of Judah” (ISAIAH 26:1). But this is not so much speaking of the ancient nation (city), but of the new city (people) of God. They are styled “the righteous nation” (ISAIAH 26:2).

It the church of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that is represented here. It is “open” to “the righteous” who “keepeth the truth” (ISAIAH 26:2). Jesus said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life: no man comes to the Father but by Me” (cf. John 14:6). Christian people are ‘the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ’ (cf. Romans 5:21).

It is the Lord who “keeps him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in Thee” (ISAIAH 26:3). The Hebrew reads “peace, peace.” In other words, a double peace. A ‘peace that passes understanding’ (cf. Philippians 4:7). Jesus gives us the peace that the world cannot give (cf. John 14:27).

“Trust ye in the LORD for ever” (ISAIAH 26:4a). The faithful in the new Jerusalem, as in the old, thus exhort one another to ‘trust in the LORD’ (cf. Psalm 115:9-11). Trusting in the LORD is not just a passing fad, it is “for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” (ISAIAH 26:4b; cf. Isaiah 12:2).

The second city is “the lofty city” (ISAIAH 26:5). It’s inhabitants “dwell on high,” but the Lord “bringeth them down.” “He layeth it low; He layeth it low to the ground; He bringeth it to the dust.”

Jesus said, ‘Not everyone that says Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven’ (cf. Matthew 7:21). Paul said that ‘they are not all Israel that are of Israel’ (cf. Romans 9:6).

There are other threats against the self-righteous city. ‘The Lord casts down those who exalt themselves, and those who humble themselves are exalted’ (cf. Matthew 23:12). “The feet of the poor and the steps of the needy” shall “tread down” the lofty city (ISAIAH 26:6)!