When you cry out refers to something that could happen. Cry out implies crying out for help (so Good News Translation, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Bible en français courant).

Let your collection of idols deliver you is literally “let them rescue you, your gathered ones.” The Hebrew word for “gathered ones” only occurs here in the Old Testament. It probably refers to the people’s idols, which most versions make explicit. Revised Standard Version renders it collection of idols (also New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Bible en français courant), but translators may say simply “idols” (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible). New Jerusalem Bible renders “your gathered ones” as “those thronging round you,” which seems to refer to crowds of people. In any case, this whole statement expresses contempt. God knows that the idols, or any other group the idol worshipers depend on, cannot possibly help them. It may be wise to include a footnote here to indicate that “idols” is an exegetical guess.

The wind will carry them off, a breath will take them away: These parallel lines express further contempt. Whatever or whoever the idol worshipers hope will come to their aid will simply be blown away. The wind will carry them off is literally “The wind will carry all of them away,” so the Hebrew text makes a stronger statement than Revised Standard Version. The Hebrew noun for wind (ruach) can also mean “spirit” or “breath” (see the comments on 40.7). So this line may be saying God’s spirit will blow away any expected helper. The Hebrew word for breath usually refers to something without substance (see the comments on 49.4, where it is rendered “vanity”). Here it has the same sense as wind since it is parallel with it.

But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land: The Hebrew conjunction rendered But introduces a contrast. Idols will not be able to help those who worship them, but there will be a blessing for those who depend on Yahweh. The Hebrew verb rendered takes refuge basically means to seek protection from threat or danger. Since God has threatened punishment, those who depend on him seek refuge from any such divine action. Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh render takes refuge as “trust[s],” which is valid here. Shall possess the land is literally “will inherit the land.” Those who trust in God will own the land of Israel (compare Deut 8.1; 10.11; Psa 37.9, 11, 22, 29, 34).

And shall inherit my holy mountain: The Hebrew verb for inherit is synonymous with possess. My holy mountain refers to Mount Zion in Jerusalem in 11.9 (see the comments there), but here it could point to the whole land of Israel. So the last two lines of the verse conclude this subsection with a promise that those who depend on Yahweh will continue to live in the land and possess it. Good News Translation renders this line rather freely, saying “and will worship me in my Temple.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch is closer to the Hebrew with “they will live on my holy mountain.”

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• When you call for help,
let the idols you have collected rescue you!
But in fact, the wind will pick them all up,
and the breeze blow them away.
But whoever trusts in me will own the land,
they will inherit my holy mountain.

• You may call out for help—
then let the images you have collected come to your rescue!
My spirit will pick every one of them up,
and the breeze will blow them away.
But anyone who comes to me for refuge
will take possession of the land,
and live on my sacred mountain.

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 .