Isaiah 64:1-5

1 1Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, 2that the mountains might quake at your presence--
2 [a] as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil-- 3to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence!
3 4When you did awesome things that we did not look for, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
4 5From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, 6no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.
5 You meet him who joyfully works righteousness, those who remember you in your ways. Behold, you were angry, and we sinned; in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved?[b]

Images for Isaiah 64:1-5

Isaiah 64:1-5 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 64

The prayer of the church is continued in this chapter; in which she prays for some visible display of the power and presence of God, as in times past, Isa 64:1-3, and the rather, since unheard of and unseen things were prepared by the Lord for his people; and it was his usual way to meet those that were truly religious, Isa 64:4,5, and she acknowledges her sins and transgressions; the imperfections of her own righteousness, and remissness in duty, Isa 64:5-7, pleads relation to God, and implores his mercy, Isa 64:8,9, represents the desolate condition of Judea, Zion, Jerusalem, and the temple, and entreats divine commiseration, Isa 64:10-12.

Cross References 6

  • 1. [2 Samuel 22:10; Psalms 18:9; Psalms 144:5]
  • 2. Judges 5:5; Micah 1:4
  • 3. [Joshua 2:9, 10]
  • 4. [Exodus 14:13; Exodus 15:11]
  • 5. [Psalms 31:19]
  • 6. [1 Corinthians 2:9]

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Ch 64:1 in Hebrew
  • [b]. Or in your ways is continuance, that we might be saved
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.