Isaiah 59:15

Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.

Isaiah 59:15 (KJV)

Context

Isaiah 59:15 belongs to a prophetic oracle against Israel during a time of deep spiritual and moral decline. The preceding verse describes justice driven back and righteousness standing far away, with truth stumbling in the streets. This verse, then, exposes a society where public truth and justice have collapsed, not merely private failings.

Meaning

The opening declaration, “Yea, truth faileth,” reveals that truth is not simply absent but deprived of its life, as if it had expired. This is a systemic failure of honesty, integrity, and justice among the people. The phrase “and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey” warns that those who refuse to join in prevailing vices become targets for plunder and attack. In a corrupt culture, the righteous are often treated as prey.

The verse concludes, “and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.” God is fully aware of the injustice around His people, and He is grieved by the absence of righteous judgment. His displeasure underscores His deep concern for justice and righteousness in society. This divine response sets the stage for the next verse, where God sees there is no one to intervene, so His own arm brings salvation.

Biblical connections

This verse’s closing phrase prepares for Isaiah 59:16, where God’s own arm achieves salvation because no human intercessor appears. The same pattern of divine intervention appears in Isaiah 53:12, where the Servant intercedes for transgressors. These connections show that when human judgment fails, God Himself acts to bring deliverance.

Application

Believers are called to uphold truth and justice in personal conduct and in the broader community, living with integrity, honesty, and fairness as modeled in Scripture. When we stand for what is right, we should expect opposition; the passage reminds us to endure persecution with confidence, knowing that God sees our suffering. Although injustice may dominate the present age, God’s awareness assures us that His justice will ultimately prevail, whether in this life or the next. Isaiah 59:15 confronts the failure of truth and justice, the persecution of the righteous, and God’s displeasure with a judgment-less world, urging believers to cling to truth, endure hardship, and trust in God’s ultimate righteousness.