God is both majestic and near to the humble: those who truly seek Him discover that His high place does not keep Him distant, but rather reveals the depths of His mercy.
In Isaiah’s time, the prophet ministered to the people of Judah during the eighth century BC, warning them of God’s judgment while also offering messages of comfort and hope. Isaiah’s writings spanned the reigns of several kings, roughly from 740-700 BC, and he continually urged his fellow Israelites to return to the LORD. In Isaiah 57:15, we read these words spoken by God Himself:
“For thus says the high and exalted One
Who lives forever, whose name is Holy,
‘I dwell on a high and holy place,
And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit
In order to revive the spirit of the lowly
And to revive the heart of the contrite.’ (v.15)
God first identifies Himself as the One “who lives forever,” emphasizing His eternal existence. He further declares that His name is “Holy,” a term that signifies complete moral purity and transcendence above all creation. Despite His exalted position “on a high and holy place,” the LORD chooses to draw near to those who are “contrite and lowly of spirit.” In the original Hebrew context, a “contrite” heart is one that is broken or humbled by sin and by life’s trials (Psalm 51:17), and the promise here is that God is present with such individuals ready to strengthen and restore them. Divine holiness and selfless compassion come together in this verse: God is infinitely high, yet intimately near.
The purpose of God’s nearness is spelled out clearly: “to revive the spirit of the lowly” and “to revive the heart of the contrite.” In other words, the Lord of the universe understands our struggles and invites us to experience renewal in His presence. This is echoed in Jesus’s own teaching, “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3), showing that all throughout Scripture, God honors humility and grants help to those who acknowledge their need for Him. He does not merely dwell in grand realms; He also lives within humble, penitent hearts, offering encouragement and life.
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Isaiah 57:15 meaning
In Isaiah’s time, the prophet ministered to the people of Judah during the eighth century BC, warning them of God’s judgment while also offering messages of comfort and hope. Isaiah’s writings spanned the reigns of several kings, roughly from 740-700 BC, and he continually urged his fellow Israelites to return to the LORD. In Isaiah 57:15, we read these words spoken by God Himself:
“For thus says the high and exalted One
Who lives forever, whose name is Holy,
‘I dwell on a high and holy place,
And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit
In order to revive the spirit of the lowly
And to revive the heart of the contrite.’ (v.15)
God first identifies Himself as the One “who lives forever,” emphasizing His eternal existence. He further declares that His name is “Holy,” a term that signifies complete moral purity and transcendence above all creation. Despite His exalted position “on a high and holy place,” the LORD chooses to draw near to those who are “contrite and lowly of spirit.” In the original Hebrew context, a “contrite” heart is one that is broken or humbled by sin and by life’s trials (Psalm 51:17), and the promise here is that God is present with such individuals ready to strengthen and restore them. Divine holiness and selfless compassion come together in this verse: God is infinitely high, yet intimately near.
The purpose of God’s nearness is spelled out clearly: “to revive the spirit of the lowly” and “to revive the heart of the contrite.” In other words, the Lord of the universe understands our struggles and invites us to experience renewal in His presence. This is echoed in Jesus’s own teaching, “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3), showing that all throughout Scripture, God honors humility and grants help to those who acknowledge their need for Him. He does not merely dwell in grand realms; He also lives within humble, penitent hearts, offering encouragement and life.