The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2 — Section 368

Ver.13.-The sabbath ideal. "Call the sabbath a delight." It cannot be a holy day unless it is a happy day. For only souls that joy in God are really devout. Unless religious exercises have a charm for the soul, they are only routine; they are not religious. I. A SEEMING CONTRADICTION. "Turn away thy foot ... from doing thy pleasure." And again, "Not doing thinA own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure." But there is no real contradiction. Many things are rightly enough pleasant to us in daily occupation and association; but things right in themselves may be wrong if indulged in under improper conditions; and the sabbath is to be holy unto the Lord-and in the Christian dispensation it is called "the Lord's <lay." This is to dominate everything. Those who seek worldly pleasure upon this d!\y hinder others from fellowship with God, and keep from that constancy of vision on heavenly things by which alone they can be indelibly impressed on the mind and the heart. II. A SOLEMN OBLrnATION. It is a day that should be made pleasant, not merry nor mirthful, but full of all the highest and best enjoyments. Praise is pleasant-it awakens a remembrance of mercy. Fellowship is pleasant-it nerves the fainting soldier's heart to look at his companions in arms, 11nd it cheers the weary to hear of  3S0 T.EtE BOOlt OF THE PROPHET ISA.IA.El. ton. Lv111:. 1-H.