Isaiah 33:2

Authorized King James Version

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O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.

Original Language Analysis

יְהוָ֥ה O LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה O LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 1 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
חָנֵּ֖נוּ be gracious H2603
חָנֵּ֖נוּ be gracious
Strong's: H2603
Word #: 2 of 11
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)
לְךָ֣ H0
לְךָ֣
Strong's: H0
Word #: 3 of 11
קִוִּ֑ינוּ unto us we have waited H6960
קִוִּ֑ינוּ unto us we have waited
Strong's: H6960
Word #: 4 of 11
to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect
הֱיֵ֤ה H1961
הֱיֵ֤ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 5 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
זְרֹעָם֙ for thee be thou their arm H2220
זְרֹעָם֙ for thee be thou their arm
Strong's: H2220
Word #: 6 of 11
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
לַבְּקָרִ֔ים every morning H1242
לַבְּקָרִ֔ים every morning
Strong's: H1242
Word #: 7 of 11
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
אַף H637
אַף
Strong's: H637
Word #: 8 of 11
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
יְשׁוּעָתֵ֖נוּ our salvation H3444
יְשׁוּעָתֵ֖נוּ our salvation
Strong's: H3444
Word #: 9 of 11
something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity
בְּעֵ֥ת also in the time H6256
בְּעֵ֥ת also in the time
Strong's: H6256
Word #: 10 of 11
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
צָרָֽה׃ of trouble H6869
צָרָֽה׃ of trouble
Strong's: H6869
Word #: 11 of 11
transitively, a female rival

Analysis & Commentary

O LORD, be gracious unto us (יְהוָה חָנֵּנוּ, YHWH chanennu)—the imperative חָנַן (chanan, be gracious, show favor) pleads for divine grace. We have waited for thee (לְךָ קִוִּינוּ, lekha qivinu)—we have קָוָה (qavah, waited, hoped, expected). Be thou their arm every morning (הֱיֵה זְרֹעָם לַבְּקָרִים, heyeh zero'am labeqarim)—be their זְרוֹעַ (zeroa, arm, strength) each בֹּקֶר (boqer, morning). Our salvation also in the time of trouble (אַף־יְשׁוּעָתֵנוּ בְּעֵת צָרָה, af-yeshu'atenu be'et tsarah)—our יְשׁוּעָה (yeshu'ah, salvation, deliverance) in time of צָרָה (tsarah, trouble, distress).

After pronouncing woe on the destroyer (v. 1), the prophet voices Israel's prayer. The petition acknowledges complete dependence—they need God's grace (חֵן, chen), not deserving deliverance but pleading for it. The 'arm' metaphor (זְרוֹעַ, zeroa) represents strength, power to save (Isaiah 53:1, 'to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?'). 'Every morning' indicates daily dependence. Lamentations 3:22-23 echoes: 'His compassions fail not. They are new every morning.'

Historical Context

This prayer likely reflects the 701 BC Assyrian siege when Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed for deliverance (Isaiah 37:14-20). Surrounded by overwhelming force, Judah could only wait (קָוָה, qavah) for God. Psalm 130:5-6 captures this posture: 'I wait for the LORD... more than they that watch for the morning.' The deliverance came suddenly—angel struck Assyrian army overnight. Morning brought salvation after night of terror.

Questions for Reflection

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