My hand made all these things, and all these things were made, saith the Lord. But to whom shall I have respect, but to him that is poor and little, and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my words?

“Let us therefore, brethren, be of humble mind, laying aside all haughtiness, and pride, and foolishness, and angry feelings; and let us act according to that which is written (for the Holy Spirit saith, "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, neither let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth glory in the Lord, in diligently seeking Him, and doing judgment and righteousness" [Jeremiah 9:23-24]), being especially mindful of the words of the Lord Jesus which He spake, teaching us meekness and long-suffering. For thus He spoke: "Be ye merciful, that ye may obtain mercy; forgive, that it may be forgiven to you; as ye do, so shall it be done unto you; as ye judge, so shall ye be judged; as ye are kind, so shall kindness be shown to you; with what measure ye mete, with the same it shall be measured to you." [Matthew 5:7, Matthew 6:14, Matthew 7:1-2] By this precept and by these rules let us establish ourselves, that we walk with all humility in obedience to His holy words. For the holy word saith, "On whom shall I look, but on him that is meek and peaceable, and that trembleth at My words?" [Isaiah 66:2]”

“We must preserve in the straight and narrow road of praise and glory; and since peacefulness and humility and the tranquility of a good life are fitting for all Christians, according to the word of the Lord, who looks to no other person than "to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembles at" his word, it the more behooves you confessors, who have been made an example to the rest of the brothers, to observe and fulfill this, as being those whose characters should provoke to imitation the life and conduct of all.”

“The prophet says in the person of the Father, "My hand made all these things," meaning by "hand" in his dark saying, the power of the Only Begotten. Now the apostle says that all things are of the Father and that all things are by the Son, and the prophetic spirit in a way agrees with the apostolic teaching, which itself also is given through the Spirit.”

“"On whom does my Spirit rest, if not on one who is humble and quiet and who trembles at my words?" So when he becomes the occupant, he fills and guides and leads the person, restrains from evil and spurs on to good, makes justice delightful, so that the person does good out of love for what is right, not out of fear of punishment. No one is capable on their own of doing what I have said. But if you have the Holy Spirit as the occupant of your house, you will find him also assisting you in everything good.”

“Differently to be admonished are the humble and the haughty. To the former it is to be insinuated how true is that excellence which they hold in hoping for it; to the latter it is to be intimated how that temporal glory is as nothing which even when embracing it they hold not. Let the humble hear how eternal are the things that they long for, how transitory the things which they despise; let the haughty hear how transitory are the things they court, how eternal the things they lose. Let the humble hear from the authoritative voice of the Truth, Every one that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Let the haughty hear, Every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled. Let the humble hear, Humility goeth before glory; let the haughty hear, The spirit is exalted before a fall. Let the humble hear, Unto whom shall I have respect, but to him that is humble and quiet, and that trembleth at my words?”

“"For heaven is his resting place and the earth his footstool," because on the earth he conversed in the flesh with men and women. And the sacred flesh of God has been called his foot. The church, too, is called the place of God, because we have set it apart for the glorifying of God as a sort of consecrated place wherein we also hold conversation with him. Likewise also the places in which his energy becomes manifest to us, whether through the flesh or apart from the flesh, are spoken of as the places of God.”

“And all these The heavens and the earth, and for this reason I confined My Shechinah among you when you obeyed Me, for so is My wont, to look at one poor and of crushed spirit, who hastens to do My bidding. But now, I have no desire for you, for whoever slaughters an ox, has smitten its owner and robbed him of it. Therefore, whoever slaughters a lamb seems to Me as one who beheads a dog, and whoever offers up a meal offering is before Me like swine blood, and מַזְכִּיר, he who burns incense. Comp. (Lev. 5:12) “its memorial part (אַזְכָּרָתָהּ).” Also (ibid. 24:7), “and it shall be for the bread as a memorial (לְאַזְכָּרָה).””

“For all, etc. This is a second reason, why all is in the power of God, why all is His; namely, that throne and that footstool are made by me. ויהיו כל אלה And all those things have been, all those things, which my hand has made. But to this man will I look, etc. Although heaven is my throne, yet will I look to the poor and to him that is of a contrite spirit. I will look, I will direct my eye, my attention to him; it is the opposite of I will hide my face from you (1:15)”

“Thus says the Lord. Here he determines the manner of the execution of the sentence already given: and first specifically as regards the Jews; second universally as regards all: but I, their works and thoughts. The first is divided into two: in the first he excludes false confidence; second he sets forth and determines the sentence given, as to the manner of its execution: Hear the word of the Lord. Concerning the first there are two parts. First he excludes false confidence in the holiness of the temple, showing that the temple is not the place of God: both from the greatness of God, who fills all things — whose seat heaven is called, because it shares abundantly in his goodness, just as a seat holds the greater part of the one sitting; while earth is his footstool, because the earth shares least in his goodness, just as the outermost part reaches only to the footstool — or by heaven the saints are meant, and by earth the earthly-minded. 3 Kings 8: if heaven and the heaven of heavens do not contain you. Jeremiah 23: I fill heaven and earth. Acts 17: not in the hand-made things of the temple. Then from rest: because each thing rests in the place that is its own place; but God does not rest in anything, rather all things rest in him, as made by him. And what is his place? Above, ch. 40: lift up on high. And he gives a useful remedy: but to whom — the poor one, that is, the humble man who considers himself small as to the present; the contrite, as to past sins; the trembling, as to his resolve concerning what is to be done in the future. Ecclesiasticus 15: his eyes are upon those who fear him. Second, he excludes the confidence they had conceived from the rite of sacrifices: and first he sets down their reprobation: he who sacrifices an ox — as if he were to say: their sacrifices are so abominable, as if they were doing something against the law, because they were offering the same things to idols. He who blesses — that is, praises and venerates. Above, ch. 1: do not offer sacrifice any more. Second, he shows the reason for the reprobation, first setting down their fault: they have chosen all these things — namely, the sacrifices — walking in their own ways, evil ones. Proverbs 2: they rejoice when they have done evil, and exult in the worst of things. Second, he threatens punishment: hence, and I — Proverbs 3: he himself will mock the mockers. Job 3: the fear that I feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me. Third, he charges the sinners with hardness of heart: because I called — Proverbs 1: I called, and you refused. Hear the word of the Lord. Here he carries out the manner of executing the sentence already given: and first as to the rewards of the good; second as to the punishments of the wicked: and it shall be known. The first is in two parts. First he rouses attention: you who tremble, out of reverence for his words. Ecclesiasticus 2: you who fear the Lord, believe in him. Second, he pursues the promise: and first as to vengeance upon the mockers, setting down their mockery: your brothers have said. Let him be glorified — as if to say: let the glory of the Lord appear, which you expect — as if to say: it will never appear. Above, ch. 5: he will come quickly and swiftly, he will not fail nor grow weary in it. And foretelling their confusion: but they shall be confounded, in this way: a voice of the people, fearing; a voice of the Lord, as to the tumult of enemies. Zephaniah 1: the voice of the day of the Lord is bitter. Second, he carries out the promise as to the abundance of good things: and first as to the reuniting of the people, setting down the promise: before she was in labor — that is, suddenly, and at once, the children of Jerusalem shall be gathered to her, just as if a woman should suddenly bring forth a son, with no labor going before. Above, ch. 37: the children have come as far as the birth. Mystically it is expounded of the childbearing of the Blessed Virgin, and of the childbearing of the Church in the conversion of the faithful, and of the bringing-forth of the eternal generation. And he introduces a question of wonder: who has ever heard such things? Above, ch. 49: who has begotten for me? And he sets down the answer in the person of the Lord: shall not I myself bring forth? — gathering the Jews, or converting the faithful, or the Son from eternity. Similarly, Psalm 93: he who planted the ear, shall he not hear? Or he who formed the eye, does he not consider? And these arguments hold, if that which is of perfection in creatures is attributed to him, with everything that belongs to imperfection removed. Second, he promises immense consolation to those gathered. And first he invites others to rejoice with them: rejoice with Jerusalem — in her, as in the object of joy — setting down the condition of those who rejoice together, as to affection: you who love. Canticle of Canticles 5: eat, O friends, and drink, and be inebriated, dearest ones. As to the sign of affection: you who mourn. Matthew 5: blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. And the fruit of that shared rejoicing, as to the sharing of gladness, or of peace: that you may suck — Canticle of Canticles 1: your breasts are better than wine. As to the sharing of glory: that you may milk it out, as those who milk out milk. Job 22: then you shall abound in delights over the Almighty. Second, he promises a copious bestowal of peace: for thus says the Lord: I will turn — so that it may be called an overflow, like a river which, though it comes down with great force, does not overflow. And of glory, and as it were a torrent. Above, ch. 48: it would have been made like a river. Third, he promises the full reception of consolation. First as to the administering of the nations: which you shall suck — unto the glory of the nations, because the kings of the nations themselves shall comfort you, and shall sustain you. Hence there follows, at the breasts. Mystically he speaks of the apostles, who rejoiced in the glory of the nations swiftly converted, and carried them, as it were, to the breasts by gentle admonitions. Above, ch. 60: you shall suck milk. Second, as to the divine protection: as if to someone, a mother. Hebrews 12: you have forgotten the consolation. Third, as to the enjoyment of good things: you shall see — the good things given you by God; your bones — you who in adversity were like dry bones. Ezekiel 37: dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Or, you shall see the divine essence. Ecclesiastes 11: light is sweet, and it is delightful for the eyes to see the sun. Bones, unto the resurrection. And it shall be known. Here he promises punishments to the wicked: and first he threatens punishment, setting down the indignation of the judge: the hand, afflicting the wicked among his servants. Or, the hand of consolation, among his servants, through its effect. Above, ch. 27: there is no indignation in me. He also sets down the greatness of the punishment: for behold, the Lord — in fire, by which the city was to be burned, or by which the world was to be purged. Chariots — the army of the Chaldeans, in which God comes, as it were; or the Angels who will come with him to judgment. Psalm 96: fire shall go before him. Amos 9: they shall perish by the sword of God. He also sets down the multitude of those punished: they shall be multiplied. Above, ch. 34: for the victim of the Lord is in Bosra, and a great slaughter in the land of Edom. Second, he reproaches their guilt: who were sanctifying themselves, thinking to cleanse themselves from uncleanness by waters, or even by the sacrifices of idols, in the gardens, in which they worshipped idols, or gave themselves over to pleasure, after one, coupling with women after the manner of beasts. Or, behind the door — literally, the mouse, the dormouse, against the law, Leviticus 11. Above, ch. 65: they eat swine's flesh, and unclean broth. But I. Here he pursues the manner of the discernment as regards all in common: and first he proclaims the universal judgment: their works and thoughts — judging, as it were, for both together; I come, on the day of judgment. Or, the various kingdoms of your enemies, and destroying the wicked among you. They shall come, to Jerusalem after your return, or to judgment, or to the faith. Joel 3: behold, I will raise them up out of the place in which you sold them. Second, he sets down the summons: and I will set among them — that is, among the Jews who shall be with Zerubbabel and the other leaders — a sign, the edict of Cyrus, to the nations, to which the Jews had been scattered; to Lydia, those who hold the arrow, because they are good archers; my glory, which shall appear in your deliverance. Above, ch. 11: he shall lift up a sign among the nations. Or, he sets the sign of the cross among the apostles, that all may be turned to God, as it were preparing them for judgment. Third, he sets down the preparation of those who are to be judged: and first as to the good; second as to the wicked: and they shall go forth, and shall see. The first is in two parts. First, as to the Jews, setting down their honorable return: they shall bring them on horses — by which are signified the aids which those returning had from the Gentiles. Baruch 5: the Lord shall bring these to you. Or there are signified the various conditions of those who are converted to the faith, as the Gloss expounds. Second, the exaltation of their return, first as to dignity: and I will take — which was fulfilled literally in the Jews, and also in the apostles. Above, ch. 61: you shall be called the priests of the Lord; it shall be said of you, ministers of our God. Second, as to the preservation of their offspring: for as the new heavens, as above, ch. 65 — so shall it stand, forever. Jeremiah 31: if these laws shall fail before me, says the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall fail. Or, the saints shall stand forever, renewed like heaven and earth. Third, as to the duration of their glory: and it shall be month — as though month shall succeed month, and feast shall succeed feast, in your prosperity. Above, ch. 29: year has been added to year, and the solemnities have run their course. Mystically, the Church after the end; spiritual rest after carnal. Second, as to the Gentiles: and all shall come — because from the various nations they came to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. Psalm 85: all the nations shall come and shall adore before you, O Lord. Or, on the day of judgment: and they shall go forth. Here he sets down the second judgment, as regards the wicked: and first the outflow of the punishment: and they shall go forth, coming to Jerusalem, and they shall see, in the ancient tombs, and in the fields, the bones of their dead fathers. Above, ch. 34: their slain shall be cast out, and from their carcasses a stench shall rise. Or, the saints shall see the damned falling into damnation. Second, he sets down the duration of the punishment: their worm — of conscience, by which even the dead shall be tormented; and fire — of hell. Judith 16: he will give fire and worms into their flesh. Third, the delight taken in these punishments, as regards those who see them: and they shall be unto satiety to all flesh — that is, to the saints. Psalm 57: the just shall rejoice when he shall see the revenge. From these punishments may he free us, who has granted both to begin and to complete. And thus ends the sentence and the literal exposition on Isaiah according to Brother Thomas Aquinas, which Brother Iacobinus of Asti, of the province of Lombardy, at that time a student in the general house of studies at Naples, transcribed into legible letters, completing the authorities. He also arranged collations at certain places upon each of the lectures, and this he did for the benefit of the friars of our order, and that copies of the said writings might be had. Therefore, praise be to him who granted both to begin and to complete. Amen.”

“For all those things hath mine hand made,.... The heavens and the earth, which are his throne and footstool; and therefore, since he is the Creator of all things, he must be immense, omnipresent, and cannot be included in any space or place: and all those things have been, saith the Lord; or "are" (l); they are in being, and continue, and will, being supported by the hand that made them; and what then can be made by a creature? or what house be built for God? or what need of any? but to this man will I look. The Septuagint and Arabic versions read, by way of interrogation, "and to whom shall I look?" and so the Syriac version, which adds, "in whom shall I dwell?" not in temples made with hands; not in the temple of Jerusalem; but in the true tabernacle which God pitched, and not man; in Christ the antitypical temple, in whom the fulness of the Godhead dwells bodily, and in whom Jehovah the Father dwells personally; see Heb 8:2 as also in every true believer, who is the temple of the living God, later described, for these words may both respect Christ and his members; the characters well agree with him: even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word; Christ was poor literally, and his estate and condition in this world was very low and mean, Co2 8:9, or "afflicted" (m), as some render it, as he was by God, and by men, and by devils; or "humble" (n), meek and lowly, as the Septuagint and Targum; it was foretold of him that he should be lowly; and this character abundantly appeared in him, Zac 9:9 and he was of a "contrite" or broken spirit, not only was his body broken, but his spirit also; not through a sense of sin, and consciousness of it, but through his sorrows and sufferings: he also trembled at the word of God; that is, had a suitable and becoming reverence of it; it was at the word of the Lord he assumed human nature; and according as his Father taught, and gave him commandment, so he spake; and, agreeably to it, laid down his life, and became obedient to death: and now the Lord looks, to him; he looks to him as his own Son, with a look of love, and even as in human nature, and is well pleased with all he did and suffered in it; he looked to him as the surety of his people, for the payment of their debts, and the security and salvation of their persons; and he now looks to his obedience and righteousness, with which he is well pleased, and imputes it to his people, and to his blood, sacrifice, and satisfaction, on account of which he forgives their sins, and to his person for the acceptance of theirs; and he looks to them in him, and has a gracious regard for them: they also may be described as "poor"; poor in spirit, spiritually poor, as they see and own themselves to be, and seek to Christ for the riches of grace and glory, which they behold in him, and expect from him; and are both "afflicted and humble", and become the one by being the other; and of a contrite spirit, their hard hearts being broken by the Spirit and word of God, and melted by the love and grace of God; and so contrite, not in a mere legal, but evangelical manner: and such tremble at the Word of God; not at the threatenings of wrath in it, or in a servile slavish manner; but have a holy reverence for it (o), and receive it, not as the word of man, but as the word of God: and to such the Lord looks; he looks on these poor ones, and feeds them; on these afflicted ones, and sympathizes with them; on these contrite ones, and delights in their sacrifices, and dwells with them, and among them; see Psa 51:17. (l) sunt, Forerius, Gataker. (m) "ad afflictum", Pagninus, Montanus. (n) "Ad humilem", Calvin, Tigurine version, Vitringa; "qui est pauper vel humilis", Munster. (o) Gussetius observes, that the word does not design a mere trembling, but care, pains, and labour to serve, as one friend has for another; and, when applied to the service of God, is no other than a generous fear, flowing from love. Vid. Ebr. Comment. p. 285.”

“have been--namely, made by Me. Or, absolutely, were things made; and therefore belong to Me, the Creator [JEROME]. look--have regard. poor--humble (Isa 57:15). trembleth at . . . word-- (Kg2 22:11, Kg2 22:19; Ezr 9:4). The spiritual temple of the heart, though not superseding the outward place of worship, is God's favorite dwelling (Joh 14:23). In the final state in heaven there shall be "no temple," but "the Lord God" Himself (Rev 21:22).”