Let death seize upon them, and let them {l} go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

(l) As Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

Wesley's Notes

55:15 Them - All such as pretend to religion, and have manifestly apostatized both from the profession and practice of it. The grave - Cut off by a sudden and violent death. Among them - Heb. in their inwards. Wickedness is deeply rooted in their hearts.

King James Translators' Notes

hell: or, the grave

Scofield Reference Notes

Margin hell

Or, the grave.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

15. Let death, &c.-or, "Desolations are on them."

let them go-literally, "they will go."

quick-or, living in the midst of life, death will come (compare Nu 16:33).

among them-or, "within them," in their hearts (Ps 5:9; 49:11).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

55:9-15 No wickedness so distresses the believer, as that which he witnesses in those who profess to be of the church of God. Let us not be surprised at the corruptions and disorders of the church on earth, but long to see the New Jerusalem. He complains of one that had been very industrious against him. God often destroys the enemies of the church by dividing them. And an interest divided against itself cannot long stand. The true Christian must expect trials from professed friends, from those with whom he has been united; this will be very painful; but by looking unto Jesus we shall be enabled to bear it. Christ was betrayed by a companion, a disciple, an apostle, who resembled Ahithophel in his crimes and doom. Both were speedily overtaken by Divine vengeance. And this prayer is a prophecy of the utter, the everlasting ruin, of all who oppose and rebel against the Messiah.