Isaiah 56:1 Meaning and Explanation
“Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God calls us to walk rightly now, because His deliverance draws near.
The Context of Isaiah 56:1
Isaiah is prophesying during Judah's exile, when the people are weak and distant from their homeland. The call to 'keep judgment' and 'do justice' is a summons to remain faithful in the present moment, even as the future hope approaches.
What Does Isaiah 56:1 Mean?
Picture yourself standing with Israel in exile, separated from the temple and the familiar rhythms of home. The promise comes not 'tomorrow' but 'soon'—God's salvation is near to come. Yet it does not arrive passively. We are called now, in this very moment, to keep judgment and do justice. This is the paradox of hope: we work while we wait. Every just deed, every right choice made in these dark years, becomes the place where God's righteousness already shows itself.
In Jesus we see this perfectly joined. He came as God's salvation drawing near, yet He began by calling us to follow, to practice the kingdom now, to bear fruit in this world. The promise and the present command are one: we are made righteous not by idle waiting but by joining God's work of justice, becoming His instruments of redemption in a world that desperately needs it.
Isaiah 56:1 in the Original Language
mishpat (משפט), 'judgment' -- not condemnation but right order, the proper way things should be
How to Apply Isaiah 56:1 Today
When we feel weak or distant from God, this verse asks: are we tending to justice and mercy in the small circle we can touch? Every act of faithfulness, however modest, becomes a sign that God's kingdom is already breaking in.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 56:1
What does Isaiah 56:1 mean?
God calls us to walk rightly now, because His deliverance draws near.
What is the context of Isaiah 56:1?
Isaiah is prophesying during Judah's exile, when the people are weak and distant from their homeland. The call to 'keep judgment' and 'do justice' is a summons to remain faithful in the present moment, even as the future hope approaches.
How can I apply Isaiah 56:1 today?
When we feel weak or distant from God, this verse asks: are we tending to justice and mercy in the small circle we can touch? Every act of faithfulness, however modest, becomes a sign that God's kingdom is already breaking in.