ScriptureDepth's study of Isaiah 57
“But the wicked are like the troubled sea; for it can’t rest, and its waters cast up mire and mud.”
Isaiah 57:20
Yahweh declares to Israel that the wicked, like the troubled sea, have no peace, which illustrates the futility of their idolatrous pursuits in this chapter.
What Isaiah 57 is about
The righteous perish, and no one takes notice, while merciful men are removed, entering peace (vv. 1-2). Yahweh condemns the idolatry of the people, calling them 'sons of a sorceress' and 'children of disobedience' (vv. 3-4). They are charged with inflaming themselves under trees and sacrificing children (vv. 5-6). The people have committed further offenses by seeking pleasure on high mountains and making covenants with false gods (vv. 7-8). They have exhausted themselves in destructive pursuits, yet they do not recognize their futility (vv. 9-10). Yahweh expresses anger at their iniquity and announces that their works will not help them (vv. 11-13). A call to repentance is made, urging the removal of obstacles so His people may return (vv. 14-15). Yahweh promises healing and comfort to the humble, contrasting them with the wicked, who have no peace (vv. 16-21).
There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked.
Isaiah 57 at a glance
- Isaiah 57:1–2The Righteous Are Taken Away
- Isaiah 57:3–8Condemnation of Idolatry
- Isaiah 57:9–10Destructive Pursuits
- Isaiah 57:11–13God's Anger and Judgment
- Isaiah 57:14–19A Call to Repentance
- Isaiah 57:20–21The Fate of the Wicked
Key verse: Isaiah 57:20
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Isaiah 57 (WEB)
The Righteous Are Taken Away Isaiah 57:1–2
1Verse 1. The righteous perish,and no one lays it to heart.Merciful men are taken away,and no one considers that the righteous is taken away from the evil.2Verse 2. He enters into peace.They rest in their beds,each one who walks in his uprightness.
Condemnation of Idolatry Isaiah 57:3–8
3Verse 3. “But draw near here, you sons of a sorceress,you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes.4Verse 4. Whom do you mock?Against whom do you make a wide mouth,and stick out your tongue?Aren’t you children of disobedience,and offspring of falsehood,5Verse 5. you who inflame yourselves among the oaks,under every green tree;who kill the children in the valleys,under the clefts of the rocks?6Verse 6. Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion;they, they are your lot.You have even poured a drink offering to them.You have offered an offering.Shall I be appeased for these things?7Verse 7. On a high and lofty mountain you have set your bed.You also went up there to offer sacrifice.8Verse 8. You have set up your memorial behind the doors and the posts;for you have exposed yourself to someone besides me,and have gone up;you have enlarged your bed,and made you a covenant with them.You loved what you saw on their bed.
Destructive Pursuits Isaiah 57:9–10
9Verse 9. You went to the king with oil,and increased your perfumes,and sent your ambassadors far off,and degraded yourself even to Sheol.10Verse 10. You were wearied with the length of your ways;yet you didn’t say, ‘It is in vain.’You found a reviving of your strength;therefore you weren’t faint.
God's Anger and Judgment Isaiah 57:11–13
11Verse 11. “Whom have you dreaded and feared,so that you lie,and have not remembered me, nor laid it to your heart?Haven’t I held my peace for a long time,and you don’t fear me?12Verse 12. I will declare your righteousness;and as for your works, they will not benefit you.13Verse 13. When you cry,let those whom you have gathered deliver you;but the wind will take them.a breath will carry them all away:but he who takes refuge in me will possess the land,and will inherit my holy mountain.”
A Call to Repentance Isaiah 57:14–19
14Verse 14. He will say, “Build up, build up, prepare the way!Remove the stumbling-block out of the way of my people.”15Verse 15. For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity,whose name is Holy:“I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit,to revive the spirit of the humble,and to revive the heart of the contrite.16Verse 16. For I will not contend forever, neither will I be always angry;for the spirit would faint before me,and the souls whom I have made.17Verse 17. I was angry because of the iniquity of his covetousness, and struck him;I hid myself and was angry;and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.18Verse 18. I have seen his ways, and will heal him:I will lead him also,and restore comforts to him and to his mourners.19Verse 19. I create the fruit of the lips:Peace, peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near,”says Yahweh; “and I will heal them.”
The Fate of the Wicked Isaiah 57:20–21
20Verse 20. But the wicked are like the troubled sea;for it can’t rest, and its waters cast up mire and mud.21Verse 21. “There is no peace”, says my God,“for the wicked.”
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Isaiah 57
righteousness
In Isaiah 57, the concept of righteousness appears in verses 1-2, where it is noted that 'the righteous perish' and 'merciful men are taken away.' This suggests a disconnect between the fate of the righteous and the awareness of society, as no one considers why they are taken. The righteous are described as entering into peace, resting in their beds, emphasizing their uprightness and the stark contrast with prevailing wickedness.
idolatry
Idolatry is a central theme in verses 3-8, where the prophet addresses 'sons of a sorceress' and 'offspring of adulterers.' The text condemns their practices, such as inflaming themselves among the oaks and making offerings. This condemnation illustrates how their actions are not only disobedient but also deeply rooted in falsehood, exposing a covenant they have made with idols instead of with God.
repentance
In verses 14-19, a call to 'build up' and 'prepare the way' for God's people is issued, inviting them to turn back to Him. The high and lofty One expresses His desire for those with 'a contrite and humble spirit' to receive revival and healing. This call for repentance is accompanied by God's promise of comfort and peace for those who return, standing in contrast to the earlier condemnation of wickedness.
Explore repentance in the Bible →peace
Peace is addressed in verses 19-21, where God proclaims 'Peace, peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near.' This assurance of peace is contrasted with the condition of the wicked, described as 'like the troubled sea,' emphasizing their lack of rest and turmoil. The chapter concludes with the stark declaration that 'there is no peace' for the wicked, underlining the distinction between the righteous and the unrighteous.
Explore peace in the Bible →Chapter outline
How Isaiah 57 unfolds
Isaiah 57:1–2 The Righteous Are Taken Away
The righteous perish, and no one pays attention. 'Merciful men are taken away' (v. 1), receiving peace in death, resting in their beds due to their uprightness (v. 2).
Isaiah 57:3–8 Condemnation of Idolatry
The passage condemns idol worship, addressing 'sons of a sorceress' (v. 3) and detailing their sinful actions, including offering sacrifices to idols and engaging in immoral practices (vv. 5-8).
Isaiah 57:9–10 Destructive Pursuits
It critiques destructive pursuits, where individuals sought favor from kings and increased their indulgences, exhausting themselves in their waywardness without recognizing their futility (vv. 9-10).
Isaiah 57:11–13 God's Anger and Judgment
God articulates His anger and judgment, questioning the people's fear of others instead of Him (v. 11) and declaring that their works will not save them when trouble arises (vv. 12-13).
Isaiah 57:14–19 A Call to Repentance
A call to repentance is issued, urging the removal of obstacles for God's people (v. 14) and assuring the humble of revival and comfort from God (vv. 15-19).
Isaiah 57:20–21 The Fate of the Wicked
The wicked are compared to a turbulent sea that cannot rest, casting up mire and mud. 'There is no peace,' says my God, 'for the wicked' (vv. 20-21).
Key verses
Isaiah 57:20Yahweh declares to Israel that the wicked, like the troubled sea, have no peace, which illustrates the futility of their idolatrous pursuits in this chapter.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Isaiah 57
- observeWhat does God call the people in v3 when He says, 'you sons of a sorceress'?
- observeIn v13, what does God say will happen to those whom they have gathered?
- interpretIn v10, why does God say, 'you didn’t say, 'It is in vain' when discussing their ways?
- interpretIn v19, what does God mean by creating 'the fruit of the lips'?
- applyWhen have you found yourself 'weary' from trying to pursue something that did not satisfy you?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Isaiah 57
- Psalm 34Isaiah 57:15 and Psalm 34:18Both say God is near to the humble: Isaiah 57:15 states God dwells with the contrite, while Psalm 34:18 affirms He saves the crushed.
- Matthew 5Isaiah 57:15 and Matthew 5:3Both affirm blessings for the humble: Isaiah 57:15 mentions revival for the humble, while Matthew 5:3 promises the Kingdom of Heaven to the poor in spirit.
- Isaiah 61Isaiah 57:15 and Isaiah 61:1Both highlight God's care for the humble: Isaiah 57:15 mentions reviving the humble, while Isaiah 61:1 describes bringing good news to the humble.
- Isaiah 40Isaiah 57:14 and Isaiah 40:3Both call for preparation: Isaiah 57:14 encourages building up the way, while Isaiah 40:3 announces preparing the way for Yahweh.
- Isaiah 66Isaiah 57:15 and Isaiah 66:2Both mention the humble and contrite spirit: Isaiah 57:15 emphasizes dwelling with the humble, while Isaiah 66:2 notes God looks to the humble.
- Proverbs 29Isaiah 57:15 and Proverbs 29:23Both contrast pride and humility: Isaiah 57:15 highlights the humble spirit, while Proverbs 29:23 states that lowly spirit gains honor.
Related chapters
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Where to go from here
- Isaiah: the whole bookIsaiah son of Amoz prophesied in Jerusalem across roughly forty years and four kings — Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz…
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 225Day 225 of 365: Isaiah 55–57.
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- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
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