Isaiah 64:3

3 When you did terrible deeds [which] we did not {expect}, you came down; [the] mountains quaked because of your {presence}.

Isaiah 64:3 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 64:3

When thou didst terrible things, which we looked not for, thou
camest down
Referring to the wonderful things God did in Egypt, at the Red sea, and in the wilderness, and particularly at Mount Sinai, things that were unexpected, and not looked for; then the Lord came down, and made visible displays of his power and presence, especially on Mount Sinai; see ( Exodus 19:18 ) : the mountains flowed down at thy presence;
not Sinai only, but others also; Kimchi says Seir and Paran; ( Judges 5:4 Judges 5:5 ) ( Psalms 68:7 Psalms 68:8 ) ( Habakkuk 3:3 Habakkuk 3:6 ) .

Isaiah 64:3 In-Context

1 Would that you would tear [the] heavens [and] come down; [the] mountains would quake before you,

2 as fire kindles brushwood, [the] fire causes water to boil, to make your name known to your adversaries, [that the] nations might tremble from your {presence}.

3 When you did terrible deeds [which] we did not {expect}, you came down; [the] mountains quaked because of your {presence}.

4 And since ancient [times] they have not heard, have not listened, no eye has seen a God except you; he {acts} for the one who waits for him.

5 You meet with the one who rejoices, one who does righteousness. In your ways they remember you. Look! You were angry and we sinned against them [in] ancient [times] and we were saved.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "await"
• [b]. Literally "face"