Isaiah 40:29

29 He gives strength to those who are tired. He gives power to those who are weak.

Isaiah 40:29 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 40:29

He giveth power to the faint
Who are ready to faint under afflictions, because they have not immediate deliverance, or their prayers are not answered at once, or promises not fulfilled as they expected; to such he gives fresh supplies of spiritual strength; he strengthens their faith, and enlarges their views, to behold the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, and confirms his blessings and promises of grace unto them, ( Psalms 27:13 ) . The Targum is,

``who giveth wisdom to the righteous that breathe after the words of the law:''

and to them that have no might he increaseth strength;
not that they have no might at all, strictly speaking; for then it could not be properly said their strength was increased by him; but that their might and power were very small, and that in their own apprehensions they had none, and then it is that fresh strength is given them; as the apostle says, "when I am weak, then am I strong"; ( 2 Corinthians 12:10 ) , though this may be understood, not of the strength of their graces, but of their sins and corruptions: a word from the same root as this here used signifies "iniquity"; and the sense may be, that the Lord increases the spiritual strength of such on whom the lust's, corruptions, and virtuosity of nature have not the power and dominion ^F5.

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 "Cur non sumatur", (Mynwa) "illis quibus non sunt vitiosae concupiscentiae robur auger", Gusset. Ebr. Comment. p. 21.

Isaiah 40:29 In-Context

27 Family of Jacob, why do you say, "The LORD doesn't notice our condition"? People of Israel, why do you say, "Our God doesn't pay any attention to our rightful claims"?

28 Don't you know who made everything? Haven't you heard about him? The LORD is the God who lives forever. He created everything on earth. He won't become worn out or get tired. No one will ever know how great his understanding is.

29 He gives strength to those who are tired. He gives power to those who are weak.

30 Even young people become worn out and get tired. Even the best of them trip and fall.

31 But those who trust in the LORD will receive new strength. They will fly as high as eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not grow weak.