Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.”
Explanation and Commentary on Isaiah 26:3
Here is a series of causes and effects, along with some unspoken ones that undergird the whole verse. Those who trust in the Lord will have a steadfast mind as a result. Those who have a steadfast mind will be kept by God in perfect peace.
Verse 4, which directly follows says, “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.” God is not only our Rock but he is our eternal Rock, which means that we are not only to trust him for this life but forever. It also stands that his perfect peace is eternal.
Humans seek the world’s peace as a great achievement. For the Christian, perfect peace is a byproduct of the simple command to “trust in” the Lord. This is what Adam and Eve failed to do (Gen 3:6), but what Jesus did to perfection (Lk 22:42). And because he did, we can.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Isaiah 26:3
#1 “You will keep…”
God keeps us. He created us. He blesses us, and he keeps us in the palm of his hand.
#2 “…in perfect peace…”
Perfect peace is the goal of humanity, though there are few who understand this, they are aiming for it in all their idolatry. Perfect peace starts with peace with God through Jesus Christ (Eph 2:14). We first have enmity with God because of our sin. Christ died for us while we were still sinners (Ro 5:8) and brought us peace with the Father.
#3 “those whose minds are steadfast,”
Steadfast minds are firm and do not waiver. When Moses killed the Egyptian for abusing his kinsman, it says that he first looked to the right and the left (Ex 2:12). But those who are steadfast look straight ahead like Christ, who resolutely “set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Lk 9:51) and who said through the prophet Isaiah, “I have set my face like flint” (Isa 50:7). Steadfast action comes from a steadfast mind.
#4 “because they trust in you.”
The only way to achieve a steadfast mind that lasts into eternity is through total trust in God. Is God still on his throne, blessing and keeping his children? Then be steadfast. Has God sent his one and only Son to save you by his death on the cross? Then trust in him. He will never fail you. Trust in him by completely surrendering all to him. There is no other way. Then will come a steadfast mind, and perfect peace.
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Biblical Translations of Isaiah 26:3
NIV
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
NLT
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
ESV
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
KJV
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
NKJV
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. She has a Master's Degree in Law from The University of Texas. Natalie has been published in several national journals and has been practicing law for 18 years.