Isaiah 57:20

ISAIAH 57:20

Isaiah 57:20 contrasts the wicked with the promised peace for the humble: “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.” The imagery of a stormy, restless sea conveys chaos, impurity, and a life ordered by fear and self-will. In contrast to God’s peace available to the humble, the wicked are depicted as unstable, continually churned by sin’s consequences. This verse sits within a larger lament about moral disorder among God’s people and points toward the need for divine intervention and righteousness to restore order. The sea imagery would have resonated with ancient readers who recognized the unpredictability and danger of the sea, reflecting inner turmoil and external social disruption caused by rebellion against God.

The verse underscores divine justice—moral order versus moral chaos. It reinforces that true peace is a gift from God that comes through aligning life with His ways. The instability of the wicked contrasts with the stability God gives to those who pursue righteousness. It also alludes to the eschatological hope of a world freed from chaos through God’s reign.

Today, the image invites self-examination: Is my life like a restless sea driven by selfishness, fear, or unaddressed sin? If so, seek God’s peace through repentance, confession, and steps toward reconciliation with others. In leadership contexts, beware of policies or cultures that create perpetual unrest—seek systems that promote fairness and justice, reducing “mire and dirt” of exploitation. In personal life, cultivate rhythms of stillness before God to receive His peace, especially when life feels chaotic.

Cross-References: Psalm 46:2-3; Isaiah 26:3; Psalm 103:8; Jeremiah 17:7-8; Revelation 21:5