Isaiah 51:5 Meaning and Explanation
“My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God's righteousness and salvation are already moving forth; his justice will extend even to distant peoples who will put their trust in his strength.
The Context of Isaiah 51:5
The prophet assures the exiles that God's salvation is not stalled or uncertain. It is already in motion, destined to reach even the farthest peoples.
What Does Isaiah 51:5 Mean?
The language shifts to present reality. God's righteousness is not distant or delayed; it is near. His salvation has already gone forth, set in motion like a wave that cannot be stopped. The arms of the Lord will judge the people, bringing order and justice. The imagery is of a covenant partner whose strength is flexed not in cruelty but in righteous action. Even the isles, the distant lands far from Jerusalem, will wait upon this God and trust in his arm. This is not because they are compelled but because they perceive the reality of what God is doing.
Waiting upon God is not passive resignation; it is active trust, the stance of those who have seen that God's way is better than any other. Throughout history and into our own time, the gospel travels to islands and continents, and peoples who had no knowledge of Israel discover God's righteousness and cling to him. We too are called to rest our weight on the arm of God, to know that his strength is available to us, and to understand that his salvation and righteousness move toward all who will receive them.
Isaiah 51:5 in the Original Language
karov (קרוב), 'is near' -- close at hand, near in time or space; conveys immediacy and accessibility
How to Apply Isaiah 51:5 Today
When we feel that God's help is distant or uncertain, these words remind us that his righteousness and salvation are already in motion toward us. What would it look like to trust the strength of God's arm as the exiles were called to do?
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 51:5
What does Isaiah 51:5 mean?
God's righteousness and salvation are already moving forth; his justice will extend even to distant peoples who will put their trust in his strength.
What is the context of Isaiah 51:5?
The prophet assures the exiles that God's salvation is not stalled or uncertain. It is already in motion, destined to reach even the farthest peoples.
How can I apply Isaiah 51:5 today?
When we feel that God's help is distant or uncertain, these words remind us that his righteousness and salvation are already in motion toward us. What would it look like to trust the strength of God's arm as the exiles were called to do?