Isaiah 57:1 - Exposition

The righteous perisheth . The word translated "perisheth" does not imply any violence; but the context implies a premature death. The righteous disappear—are taken from the earth before their natural time. Yet no man layeth it to heart; i.e. no one asks what it means—no one is disturbed, no one grieves. The general feeling was either one of indifference, or of relief at the departure of one whose life was a reproach to his neighbours. Merciful men; rather, godly men , or pious men (comp. Micah 7:2 ). Are taken away; literally, are gathered in. Compare the phrase so frequently used, "gathered to his fathers" ( Genesis 49:29 ; Numbers 27:13 ; 2:10 ; 2 Kings 22:20 ; 2 Chronicles 34:28 ). From the evil ; or, out of the way of the evil— in order that he may escape it, in order that he may escape the sight of the evil that was coming on Jerusalem soon after his decease.