The idols of Babylon could not save themselves, 1, 2. God saves his people to the end, 3, 4. Idols are not comparable to God for power, 5-11, or present salvation, 12, 13.
1 Bel bows down and Nebo stoops./
Their idols were upon the beasts and upon the cattle./
Your loads were heavy./
They were a burden to the weary beast.
2 They stoop. They bow down together./
They could not deliver the burden,/
but they themselves have gone into captivity.
3 "Listen to me, O house of Jacob,/
and all the remnant of the house of Israel,/
which are borne by me from the birth,/
which are carried from the womb.
4 And even to your old age I am he./
And even to hoary hairs I will carry you./
I have made and I will bear./
I will even carry and will deliver you.
5 To whom will you compare me and make me equal,/
and compare me so that we may be alike?
6 They lavish gold out of the bag/
and weigh silver in the balance,/
and hire a goldsmith and he makes it a god./
They fall down and they even worship.
7 They bear him upon the shoulder./
They carry him and set him in his place and he stands./
From his place he shall not move./
Indeed, one shall cry to him, yet he cannot answer,/
nor save him out of his trouble.
8 Remember this, and show yourselves men./
Bring it back to mind, O transgressors.
9 Remember the former things of old,/
for I am God, and there is no one else./
I am God, and there is no one like me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,/
and from ancient times the things that are not yet done,/
saying, 'My counsel shall stand,/
and I will do all my pleasure;'
11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east,/
the man who executes my counsel from a far country./
I have spoken it and I will also bring it to pass./
I have purposed it and I will also perform it.
12 Listen to me, you stout-hearted,/
who are far from righteousness.
13 I bring my righteousness near./
It shall not be far off,/
and my salvation shall not delay./
And I will place salvation in Zion/
for Israel my glory."
Matthew Henry Commentary - Isaiah, Chapter 46[➚]