Isaiah 51:23
But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over. But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.
The command to bow down so that others might pass over, and the laying of the body as the ground and as the street to be trampled, portrays severe humiliation and oppression under cruel afflicters. God reverses that affliction by taking the cup of suffering from His people and putting it into the hand of those who afflict them. In that reversal He takes power from the oppressors, places them under the control of those they afflicted, and brings upon them divine judgment, even the very judgment they themselves inflicted. The verse applies to the final crisis, the time of trouble, when earthly powers threaten God's people with death by starvation or violence; He will not leave the righteous to fall to their enemies but will manifest His power to protect them, deliver them, and turn their captivity.
The chapter to which the verse belongs and the verse itself bring assurance and hope to those carrying burdens, including those in tedious, painful bodily affliction. For such sufferers it shows Jesus watching over them in sleepless night hours, bearing all their burdens, and turning affliction endured in trust to the glory of God, so they can endure without murmuring or complaining. That strengthening by grace enables the sufferer to keep working for others and counseling them while enduring.