Matthew Poole and continuators on Isaiah 59:16

16 And he saw that there was no man , and wondred that there was no intercessour: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him , and his righteousness it sustained him.

Viz. To intercede▪ which is supplied from the following words; or no man to help in such a case, to shew himself, and appear in such a corrupt state in the behalf of equity, as ver. 4. the like circumstances we have Ezek. 22. 29, 30. or none fit to intercede.

Heb. [illegible: 1+ letters]istomen, was amazed, astonished, as it were, not knowing what to do: This notes both Gods sollicitousness about their condition, and their hypocrisie, as if God took no notice of them, together with their dulness, and blockishness, in not concerning themselves about it, especially considering they had been a people so well instructed, and yet under the guilt of such gross sins, should be no more sollicitous about pardon, which God would readily have granted, if any such could have been found▪ Ier. 5. 1.

Or, Yet, as it is used, ch. 7. 14. & 51. 21.

This may relate 1. To the parties thus oppressed: Or 2. To God, as that either 1. He would do his work without help from any other, ch. 51. 5. Or 2. He would avenge himself, his own honor; thus the word is used 1 Sam. 25. 26. and this may, and seems to be the meaning of the next clause: Or 3. He had made provision for the maintaining his own righteous cause, and peoples interest; this sense, that phrase, so like this, favours ch. 63. 5. Salvation unto me.

Viz. His Justice q. d. seeing there could be no Justice found among them, he would avenge the innocent himself, which agrees with ver. 8. and is justified by ch. 63. 5. where speaking of the destruction of the Idumaeans, you have the same words, onely the word F[illegible: 1+ letters]y changed for Righteousness. The literal meaning is God's taking vengeance on the Chaldeans for his Peoples sake. The mystical is Christs making use of his own Righteousness for the redemption of lost man, being destitute of all other.

Marginal references: Psal. 98. 1. Ch 63. 5.; Ch. 42. 21. & 63. 5.