Historic pastoral reading
God defends his servants. Martyrs and sick saints show this is not a charm against every harm.
Isaiah 54:14-17
No weapon formed against you shall prosper.
The text
WEB
17 No weapon that is formed against you will prevail; and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of Yahweh, and their righteousness is of me, says Yahweh.
KJV
17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
What kind of text
- Prophecy
- Isaiah
- Restored Zion
Isaiah comforts a people pictured as a barren woman made fruitful after judgment.
How Christians have read this
Common misuse
Spoken as a guarantee that no criticism, illness, or attack can touch you.
What the next verse does
Chapter 55 opens with an invitation to come and buy without money.
Older commentary
Matthew Henry
Henry on Isaiah 54:17: this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord after Zion's restoration.
Charles Spurgeon
Spurgeon comforted saints with Isaiah 54 without treating it as a charm against every harm.