Isaiah 59:15 Meaning and Explanation
“Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Truth has vanished, and those who do right become victims; God sees this injustice and is grieved by the complete absence of judgment.
The Context of Isaiah 59:15
The lament reaches its climax. The very attempt to do good in this corrupted society becomes dangerous.
What Does Isaiah 59:15 Mean?
Yea, truth faileth. Isaiah repeats the theme: truth is gone. And he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey. This is the reversal of all moral order. The person who turns away from wrongdoing, who seeks to live justly, becomes a target, a hunted animal. In a corrupt society, righteousness is weakness. It leaves one vulnerable. This is how far the corruption has gone: not merely that evil flourishes, but that doing right is dangerous.
And the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment. Finally, God responds. God sees the corruption, the absence of justice, the defenselessness of the righteous. And it displeases Him. This is the turning point. For chapters, we have heard lament and confession. Now we hear that God's displeasure is aroused. God cannot tolerate a world without judgment. And God's response is about to come.
How to Apply Isaiah 59:15 Today
When we do right and are met with hostility, we can take courage in knowing that God sees and is displeased by the injustice. Our suffering for righteousness is not unnoticed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 59:15
What does Isaiah 59:15 mean?
Truth has vanished, and those who do right become victims; God sees this injustice and is grieved by the complete absence of judgment.
What is the context of Isaiah 59:15?
The lament reaches its climax. The very attempt to do good in this corrupted society becomes dangerous.
How can I apply Isaiah 59:15 today?
When we do right and are met with hostility, we can take courage in knowing that God sees and is displeased by the injustice. Our suffering for righteousness is not unnoticed.