Word Studies - Part 5

Isaiah 25:4 – For You have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; for the blast of the terrible ones is a storm against the wall. (NKJV)

Strong’s # 4268 mahseh (makh-as-eh´)

Lexicons/Bible Dictionaries

Strong’s – a shelter, a hope, a refuge, a trust

Word Study (OT) – refuge, shelter, a place of safety, protection, and security

Brown-Driver-Briggs – refuge, shelter, from danger, rain, storms

Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament – refuge, shelter

NIV Hebrew – refuge, shelter

NASB Hebrew – refuge, shelter

NIDOTTE – mountain stronghold, fortress, place of safety


Translations

KJV – For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

NASB95 – For You have been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a rain storm against a wall.

ESV – For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall.

NLT – But to the poor, O Lord, you are a refuge from the storm. To the needy in distress, you are a shelter from the rain and the heat. For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against a wall.

AMP – For You have been a stronghold for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm, a shade from the heat; for the blast of the ruthless ones is like a rainstorm against a wall.

NIV – You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall.

MSG – They’ll see that you take care of the poor, that you take care of poor people in trouble, provide a warm, dry place in bad weather, provide a cool place when it’s hot. Brutal oppressors are like a winter blizzard.

NRSV – For you have been a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat. When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm.

Darby – For thou hast been a fortress to the poor, a fortress for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat: for the blast of the terrible ones [has been] as the storm [against] a wall.

Young’s – For Thou hast been a stronghold for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in his distress, a refuge from storm, a shadow from heat, when the spirit of the terrible [is] as a storm — a wall.


Commentaries

Expositor’s – While the NKJV only uses the word refuge once in this verse, there are three references in this verse to God providing shelter or refuge for His people, this repetition to stress the same thought indicate the writers belief that this shelter the Lord provides is an accomplished fact. God has been a refuge for the people of Israel since before the Exodus, and His care for His people has continued through time, regardless of the circumstances.

Word – This verse is part of a song thanking the Lord for the safety and refuge that He provided for His people, citing the fact that He cares for those society often ignores; the poor and the needy.

Sawyer – The city has experienced attacks, but the Lord has protected them, and now the inhabitants of the city are confident God can protect against any threat and any storm.

Motyer – The Lord does not abandon His people when they are in times of trouble, rather His deliverance for His people often appears simple, such as the provision of refuge in a storm. The refuge that God provides is a place of inherent strength that is always available as God is faithful.

Leupold – This passage could refer to a city that fell after the occupants oppressed the poor and the needy, therefore the fall of the city was to liberate these people who are always a concern to God.

Gray – The refuge in this passage is a place where one would go to seek refuge from either weather, or one’s enemies. Those who belong to the Lord may seek out the certain shelter that only He provides.

Goldingay – One cannot overcome those who are in the Lord’s care and protection.


Word Application

The idea of God being a refuge or a shelter to His people is not unique to this verse. Throughout scripture God cares for His people, offering them safety and shelter, beginning with Adam and Eve in the garden, and continuing through to the last verses of Revelation. However, one would be mistaken to presume that the Lord no longer provides shelter for His people. The Lord is constant, and unchanging; therefore it is not possible that God would shelter His faithful people in the Bible, and not shelter His faithful people now. God has always cared for His faithful people, and has always shown great compassion for those who society does not regard such as the poor, the widows, and those in need.
God still provides shelter for His people today, but that shelter or refuge often comes in simple ways that are explained away. Instances of this refuge may be the kind nurse who cares for the family who is waiting for news from the operating room where a loved one is undergoing life-threatening surgery, or even the neighbor who shovels the walk for the widow who is unable to complete the task herself. God’s refuge and shelter is still there for His people during the storms of life, during times of great stress and pressure, and during times of distress. One can always run to one’s heavenly Father for refuge, and the refuge He provides can never be conquered.