Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.
Both these proclamations, as I may call them, end alike with an assurance of the perpetuity of God's righteousness and his salvation; and therefore we put them together, both being designed for the comfort of God's people. Observe, I. Who they are to whom this comfort belongs: "My people, and my nation, that I have set apart for myself, that own me and are owned...
Commenting on Isaiah 51:4-8
Lift up your eyes to the heavens,.... And observe their beauty and order, the constant and regular motion of the heavenly bodies, the firmness and solidity of them: and look upon the earth beneath; how stable and well founded it is: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke; though they are so firm, and have lasted so long, and have kept their constant situation...
(Isa 40:6, Isa 40:8; Psa 102:26; Heb 1:11-12). vanish away--literally, "shall be torn asunder," as a garment [MAURER]; which accords with the context. in like manner--But GESENIUS, "Like a gnat"; like the smallest and vilest insect. JEROME translates, as English Version, and infers that "in like manner" as man, the heavens (that is, the sky) and earth are not to be annihilated, but changed for the better (Isa 65:17).