Open the gates, that the righteous nation may enter: the one which keeps faith.
Parallel Translations
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Open the gates, that the righteous nation may enter: the one which keeps faith.
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Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.
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Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation that keepeth faithfulness may enter in.
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Contradictions (1)
Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.
Cross-references (18)
Passages linked to Isaiah 26:2 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Revelation 5:9 They sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood out of every tribe, language, people, and nation,
- Psalms 118:20 This is the gate of Yahweh; the righteous will enter into it.
- Isaiah 60:11 Your gates also shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night, that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations, and their kings led captive.
- 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
- Isaiah 62:10 Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way of the people! Build up, build up the highway! Gather out the stones! Lift up a banner for the peoples.
- Isaiah 62:2 The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. You will be called by a new name, which Yahweh’s mouth will name.
- Exodus 19:6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
- Psalms 106:5 that I may see the prosperity of your chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory with your inheritance.
- Isaiah 54:14 You will be established in righteousness. You will be far from oppression, for you will not be afraid, and far from terror, for it shall not come near you.
- Isaiah 60:21 Then your people will all be righteous. They will inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
- Ezekiel 48:31-34 and the gates of the city shall be named after the tribes of Israel, three gates northward: the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; the gate of Levi, one. “At the east side four thousand and five hundred reeds, and three gates: even the gate of Joseph, one; the gate of Benjamin, one; the gate of Dan, one. “At the south side four thousand and five hundred reeds by measure, and three gates: the gate of Simeon, one; the gate of Issachar, one; the gate of Zebulun, one. “At the west side four thousand and five hundred reeds, with their three gates: the gate of Gad, one; the gate of Asher, one; the gate of Naphtali, one.
- Acts 2:47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.
- Deuteronomy 4:6-8 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who shall hear all these statutes and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” For what great nation is there that has a god so near to them as Yahweh our God is whenever we call on him? What great nation is there that has statutes and ordinances so righteous as all this law which I set before you today?
- Isaiah 58:8 Then your light will break out as the morning, and your healing will appear quickly; then your righteousness shall go before you, and Yahweh’s glory will be your rear guard.
- Zechariah 8:20 Yahweh of Armies says: “Many peoples, and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come;
- Revelation 21:24 The nations will walk in its light. The kings of the earth bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.
- 2 Peter 3:13 But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
- Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I was constrained to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (15 sources)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain He assureth the godly to return after the captivity…
He assureth the godly to return after the captivity to Jerusalem.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain Isa 26:2 Open ye the gates, that the righteous…
Isa 26:2 Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.
Ver. 2. Open ye the gates.] Room for the righteous, for such only are freemen of this city; {Rev 22:14} such only are written among the living in Jerusalem. {Isa 4:3-4 Psa 118:19} And this seemeth spoken to those doorkeepers, the ministers, to whom God hath committed the keys of his kingdom, setting them as upon a watch tower to keep out enemies, and to let in the true citizens.
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That the righteous nation which keepeth the truth.] Heb., The truths, or faiths, as Peter hath "godliness," {2Pe 3:11} that both observeth Christ’s law and preserveth it; "striving together for the faith of the gospel," {Php 1:27} and accounting every particle of truth precious. {Jdg 1:3} And here we have a true definition of a right Church member. Civil righteousness is but a beautiful abomination. If men lay not faith for a foundation to their virtue, {2Pe 1:5} it is no better than a glistering sin.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain Open ye the gates of the city, mentioned Isa…
Open ye the gates of the city, mentioned Isa 26:1.
The righteous nation; either,
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1. Those godly Jews who are returning from Babylon; or,
2. The whole body of righteous and holy men, whether Jews or Gentiles. For he seems to speak here, as he apparently did in the foregoing chapter, of the times of the gospel.
Which keepeth the truth; which is sincere and stedfast in the profession and practice of the true religion.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain Open ye the gates,.... Not of Jerusalem, literally understood,…
Open ye the gates,.... Not of Jerusalem, literally understood, nor of heaven; rather of the New Jerusalem, whose gates are described, Rev 21:12 at least of the church in the latter day; the gates or door into which now should be, and then will be, open; Christ the door, and faith in him, and a profession of it, without which none ought to be admitted, and whoever climbs up another way is a thief and a robber, Joh 10:1 these words are the words of the prophet, or of God, or of Christ by him, directed not to the keepers of the gates of Jerusalem, or of the doors of the temple, though, they may be alluded to; nor to any supposed doorkeeper of heaven, angels, or men, there being none such; rather to the twelve angels, at the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem, Rev 21:12 or to the ministers of the Gospel, who have the key of knowledge to open the door of faith, and let persons into the knowledge of divine things; to admit them to ordinances, and receive them into the church by the joint suffrage of the members of it. The phrase denotes a large increase of members, and a free, open, and public reception of them, who are after described; see Isa 60:11,
that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in; not all the world, for there is none righteous, not one of them naturally, or of themselves; nor the Jewish nation, for though they sought after righteousness, did not attain it, unless when they will be converted in the latter day, and then they, and all the Lord's people, will be righteous, and appear to be a holy nation, and a peculiar people, Isa 60:21 and being made righteous by the righteousness of Christ imputed to them, and sanctified by the Spirit, will be fit persons to be admitted through the gates into the city; see Psa 118:19 and because there will be great numbers of such, especially when a nation shall be born at once, hence they are so called: and these will be a set of men that "will keep the truth"; not, as the Targum renders it,
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"who keep the law with a perfect heart;''
for no man can do that; but rather the ordinances of the Gospel, as they were first delivered by Christ and his apostles, and especially the truths of it; and the word here used is in the plural number, and may be rendered "truths"; the several truths of the Gospel, which will be kept by the righteous, not in memory only, but in their hearts and affections, and in their purity, and with a pure conscience; and they will not part with them at any rate, but hold them fast, that no man take their crown, Rev 3:11.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain The gates - Of the city, mentioned ver. 1.…
The gates - Of the city, mentioned ver. 1. The nation - The whole body of righteous men, whether Jews or Gentiles. For he seems to speak here, as he apparently did in the foregoing chapter, of the times of the gospel. Keepeth truth - Which is sincere in the true religion.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 2. The righteous nation] The converted Gentiles shall…
Verse 2. The righteous nation] The converted Gentiles shall have the gates opened - a full entrance into all the glories and privileges of the Gospel; being fellow heirs with the converted Jews. The Jewish peculiarity is destroyed, for the middle wall of partition is broken down.
The truth] The Gospel itself - as the fulfilment of all the ancient types, shadows, and ceremonies; and therefore termed the truth, in opposition to all those shadowy rites and ceremonies. "The law was given by Moses; but grace and TRUTH came by Jesus Christ;" Joh 1:17, and See Clarke on Joh 1:17.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain Open ye the gates - This is probably the…
Open ye the gates - This is probably the language of a chorus responding to the sentiment in Isa 26:1. The captive people are returning; and this cry is made that the gates of the city may be thrown open, and that they may be permitted to enter without obstruction (compare Psa 24:7, Psa 24:9; Psa 118:19).
That the righteous nation which keepeth the truth - Who, during their long captivity and contact with pagan nations, have not apostatized from the true religion, but have adhered firmly to the worship of the true God. This was doubtless true of the great body of the captive Jews in Babylon.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain Truth. The Jews who returned from Babylon, were more…
Truth. The Jews who returned from Babylon, were more virtuous than their ancestors, as the prophets intimate; though they have Christians principally in view.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain Address of the returning people to the gates of…
Address of the returning people to the gates of Jerusalem (type of the heavenly city, Heb 12:22); (Psa 24:7, Psa 24:9; Psa 118:19). Antitypically (Rev 22:14; Rev 21:25, Rev 21:27).
righteous nation--that had not apostatized during the captivity. HORSLEY translates, "The nation of the Just One," namely, the Jews.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 2. Open… gates — The choral style of the…
2. Open… gates — The choral style of the twenty-fourth psalm appears here, but the responsive chorus does not here, as there, appear. The picture is of Zion’s city purified and made ready to receive the reclaimed and purified nation.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 2. Comp. Psa_118:19-20; Rev_22:14. “Truth” here means “troth,” fidelity…
2. Comp. Psa_118:19-20; Rev_22:14. “Truth” here means “troth,” fidelity (Deu_32:20).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (2) Open ye the gates . . .—The cry…
(2) Open ye the gates . . .—The cry comes as from the heralds of the king of the heavenly city, proclaiming that the gates are open to those who are worthy to enter into it, i.e., to the righteous people who alone may dwell in the city of God (Psa_15:1-2; Psa_24:3-4; Psa_118:19-20; Rev_21:27.)
The truth.—Literally, truths; all the many forms of truthfulness in heart and life.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Open ye the gates. The command is given by…
Open ye the gates. The command is given by God to his angels within the city, or perhaps by some angels to others, to "open the gates," and let the saints march in and take possession. (comp. Psa_118:19, Psa_118:20, which seems to represent the same occasion; and Psa_24:7-10, which tells of another occasion on which the angelic warders were bidden to throw open the gates of the celestial city) The righteous nation which keepeth the truth; literally, a righteous nation. A people, made up of all kindreds and nations and tongues, which should henceforth be "the people of God" They are "righteous," as washed clean from all taint of sin in the blood of the Lamb. They "keep the truth," or "keep faithfulness," as under all circumstances clinging loyally to God.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain Open ye the gates
Isa_26:2
Open ye the gates
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A bunch of keys
(to children):--
1.
The gate of healing. What would you say is the key of that gate? Is it not our need? What, e.g., would give you admission into any hospital? Would it not be your need of the help that could be obtained there? Just so is it with Jesus, the good Physician. We have no claim except His own exceeding love and our exceeding need. There are no incurables so far as the Lord Jesus is concerned.
2. The door of hope. The key for that is promise. You may read about it in the Pilgrims Progress (Christian and Hopeful in Doubting Castle).
3. The door of help. The key is sympathy. Sympathy, as the meaning of the word implies, understands the situation. Thou shalt not oppress a stranger, was one of Gods commands to the Israelites, for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. That was sympathy as the key to the door of help. They knew what it was to be strangers in a strange land, and therefore they could understand how a stranger among themselves would feel, how he would appreciate a friendly spirit, and how sensitive he would be to any coldness of treatment. Is it not His sympathy that makes Jesus the perfect Saviour?
4. The door of communion. For that we need two keys, just as in your house doors two keys are required to open them--the key that turns the lock and the key that lifts the latch. Prayer and obedience are the two keys.
5. The door of change, that door that stands at the end of the well-trodden path to the grave. What is the key for this door? We have none. God keeps it in His own hands. (J. B. Mayer, M. A.)
The righteous nation which keepeth the truth
Truth, and its influence upon society
Truth was not intended to be brought before the world by the God of truth for the mere purpose of influencing individual character. Hence we find the passage before us inviting not separate men in their respective capacities, but the righteous nation to enter in that keepeth the truth.
I. WHEN THE TRUTH SPREADS THROUGH SOCIETY IT WILL GIVE NEW VIEWS OF MORAL OBLIGATION. Looking at society as it stands at present where the truth has made but little way, we find those views of moral obligation that are adopted and acted upon, accommodated to the selfishness of individuals, and society has but little place in their consideration. But let the truth as it is in Christ influence society, and they will then begin to feel that the great source of moral obligation is not what they owe to themselves but what they owe to God.
II. If we find, therefore, that our sense of moral obligation is influenced by these higher considerations when we come to the truth, we have, in the next place, to look at THE WORKING OF TRUTH UNDER THIS HIGH SENSE OF MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO GOD. There is an enlargement of feeling from the man to his own family--from his own family to his own relatives--from his own relatives to his own social circle--from his own social circle to his nation--from his nation to the body of nations round him--there is an enlargement of feeling in the still widening circle to regions beyond these--an enlargement of feeling that carries the mind onward in a morally spiritual expansion to the whole human race, and after the feelings of the man under the power of truth have been thus far extended, his feelings experience still a desire for further enlargement. He looks unto another and an eternal world and feels that there is a fellowship due to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to angels that seek to learn from his condition the manifold wisdom of God. And while his mind is thus enlarged under the working of truth, there is the reflection back again of truth in all the peace that it propagates, in all the glories that it conveys, in all the safety that it confers, in all the spirituality that it kindles, in all the communion which it permits between the creature and God, which will be found to tell upon the man, so that instead of living in a sphere of selfishness where his light burns but dimly, and where the discoveries of the power of truth are very limited, he feels that he lives in a blaze of spiritual illumination, and when he finds so many kindred souls sympathise with him, and striking up an anthem to God, whence all has come, he feels that he is a greater man, a happier man, a holier man, than if he were to stand aloof even in solitary perfection in his insulated condition, to worship God alone. Instead of a community of nations, we find a community of parties, and each frowning upon the other, and each watching the other with an unworthy yet a constant and an anxious jealousy. But when the truth does begin to operate upon the condition of the nations generally, how will their temporal circumstances be changed! What a rising of a new spirit in the human community! If we find truth thus raising our sense of moral obligation, if we find truth thus calculated to open so many sources of happiness, let us look to the source whence this mighty element derives all its power. It is not the truth itself regarded merely as conveyed by so many propositions that can accomplish this mighty wonder. But it is the truth applying these propositions by the Spirit of glory and of God. Looking, therefore, to all these mews of truth upon society, we have another great reason to induce us to endeavour to buy the truth, and sell it not. (J. Burnet.)
National responsibility
(with Pro_14:34):--From these and suchlike passages it is evident that nations may be and ought to be righteous and truth keeping, and that nations which are of this character occupy the highest position in relation to other nations, and in the estimation of Him by whom kings reign, and to whom national as well as individual homage is due. That nations can possess such a moral character, and render such homage is denied by those who do not admit that nations, in their corporate capacity, are subjects of Gods moral government. They hold that nations or states are impersonal, that they have no will and no conscience, and that therefore no responsibility attaches to national action, if indeed there can be such action at all. This is a serious mistake, and one which cannot but prove most pernicious in its influence and consequences. For nothing can be clearer, alike from the teaching of Gods Word and the facts of universal history, than that nations are responsible subjects of Divine government; that they are dealt with by God according to their character and conduct, punished when they do evil, and blessed and prospered when they do well (Jer_18:7-10). (Original Secession Magazine.)
National righteousness
I. Let us inquire WHAT THAT RIGHTEOUSNESS IS which should characterise a nation, and by which a nation is exalted. How does it manifest itself?
1. This righteousness has as its root--its essence--the foundation principle of all true religion--the fear of God, in the hearts of the people, of rulers and ruled. This must be the prevailing character of the persons of whom it is composed.
2. It includes, as one of its leading elements, the due observance of the worship of God, according to the rules lain clown in the Divine Word.
3. It includes a national keeping of the truth.
4. It includes the regulation of all national affairs, in the departments of legislation and administration, by the principles of Gods Word, which should be the rule of faith and practice to the nation as well as to the Church, the family, and the individual.
5. It includes the prevalence of Christian morality, or righteous dealings between man and man in the business of life, and the practice of all those moral virtues by which society is sweetened and adorned.
II. HOW RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION. A two-fold exaltation results from national righteousness--exaltation in the estimation of men, of other nations, and exaltation in the estimation of God.
III. HOW THIS NATION-EXALTING RIGHTEOUSNESS MAY BE AND OUGHT TO BE PROMOTED.
1. By attending to the cultivation of personal godliness.
2. By attending to the duties of family religion.
3. By diffusing the Word of God and stirring up the people to read and study it for themselves in secret and private, and by securing that it be taught in all our schools.
4. By the faithful preaching of the Gospel by ministers of religion.
5. By the forth-putting of all legitimate moral efforts to counteract and suppress whatever is contrary thereto.
6. With all such means must he mingled fervent prayer for the blessing of God, which can alone make them efficacious for the advancement of the cause of righteousness. (Original Secession Magazine.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 26:2 Open access is given to all who, like…
26:2 Open access is given to all who, like God and his Messiah, are righteous and faithful. The citizens of true Zion are committed to the Lord.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.