As noted above, the rhetorical question begun in the previous verse continues here. In some languages it may be helpful to begin a new question or strong statement here (see the examples below).
And have forgotten the LORD, your Maker: Not only had God’s people become afraid of others, they had forgotten him. As in 17.10, the verb have forgotten does not point to a simple lapse of memory, but implies that Israel abandoned the true worship of God. Yahweh reminds the people that he is their Maker (see the comments on 45.11). He is not only the Creator of the universe, but he also formed the nation of Israel. The pronoun “you” is understood as the subject of the verb have forgotten. From here through verse 16, the second person pronouns in the Hebrew text are masculine singular. However, they refer to the people of Israel.
Who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth: These parallel lines describe Yahweh, so they are a parenthesis within the larger question. They are poetic descriptions of his creative handiwork. For stretched out the heavens, see the comments on 40.22 and 42.5; for laid the foundations of the earth, see 48.13.
And fear continually all the day means the people’s fear of their oppressors is unending. The pronoun “you” is understood as the subject of this line. The verb fear is linked in syntax to “are afraid” (verse 12) and have forgotten as the third main verb in the rhetorical question that begins in the second line of the previous verse (see the comments there). The Hebrew verb rendered fear is better translated “dread” or “feel terror,” since it refers to intense fear (see the comments on this verb at 19.17). The adverbial phrase all the day means each and every day, that is, always. For this whole line Good News Translation has “Why should you live in constant fear…?”
Because of the fury of the oppressor provides the reason for the people’s fear. They are terrified because of the intense anger of those who oppress them. The fury of the oppressor is used twice in this verse for emphasis. The Hebrew word for fury refers to intense anger. It becomes a keyword in the next section as well, where it is rendered “wrath” (verses 17, 20, 22). The identity of the oppressor is not clear; it could include both the Babylonians whom the exiled Israelites were serving and the Israelites who rejected the prophet’s message.
When he sets himself to destroy: The long rhetorical question that began in verse 12 comes to an end here. This line describes the oppressors as people who are determined to destroy God’s people. The singular pronoun he may be rendered as plural since it refers to a group who opposes God’s people. The Hebrew verb rendered sets himself indicates intention and determination. For this whole line New Revised Standard Version and New International Version have “who is bent on destruction” (similarly Revised English Bible), while Good News Translation says “those who are ready to destroy you.”
And where is the fury of the oppressor?: This is another rhetorical question God asks his people. He uses it to state forcefully that their oppressors can no longer express their anger against them. For languages that do not favor the use of rhetorical questions, Good News Translation provides a helpful model with “Their fury can no longer touch you.” Another possibility is “The oppressor’s fury is nowhere to be seen!” (see also the second example below).
Translation examples for this verse are:
• Why have you forgotten the LORD who is your Maker,
he who stretched out the heavens,
and set the earth on its foundations?
Why are you in constant dread
because of the fury of your oppressors
who are determined to destroy you?
But then, where is the fury of the oppressors now?
• You should not have forgotten Yahweh your Maker,
the one who laid out the heavens,
who set the earth on its foundations!
You should not constantly be in dread
of the intense anger of the oppressors
who are determined to destroy you!
The oppressors’ intense anger is no longer anywhere present!
Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .