Isaiah 63:7-14

Praise and Prayer

7 I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us— yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.
8 He said, “Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me”; and so he became their Savior.
9 In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them.[a]In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
10 Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.
11 Then his people recalled[b] the days of old, the days of Moses and his people— where is he who brought them through the sea, with the shepherd of his flock? Where is he who set his Holy Spirit among them,
12 who sent his glorious arm of power to be at Moses’ right hand, who divided the waters before them, to gain for himself everlasting renown,
13 who led them through the depths? Like a horse in open country, they did not stumble;
14 like cattle that go down to the plain, they were given rest by the Spirit of the LORD. This is how you guided your people to make for yourself a glorious name.

Isaiah 63:7-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 63

This chapter contains a prophecy of the vengeance of Christ upon the enemies of his church in the latter day, whereby complete salvation would be obtained for them; and this illustrated by the mercies of God to the people of Israel of old; and is concluded with the church s prayer to him. The account of the vengeance taken by Christ on his enemies is introduced by a colloquy between him and his church; who puts a question, in which he is described by the places from whence he came, by his apparel, and by his manner of walking; to which he returns an answer, Isa 63:1, then a second question is put, about the colour of his garments; for which he gives a reason, Isa 63:2,3 it being the time of his vengeance on his enemies, and of the redemption of his people, Isa 63:4 the manner in which he performed both is observed, Isa 63:5 and the thorough work he would make; and the entire riddance of all his enemies is determined upon, Isa 63:6, which puts the prophet, or the church, in mind of former mercies bestowed upon Israel of old, the peculiar people and children of God, the Lord had a great opinion of, and favour for, whom he dealt very tenderly with, and redeemed, and saved, and preserved, Isa 63:7-9 though they acted an ungrateful part to him, which is aggravated by the various kind steps of Providence, in leading them through the Red sea, guiding them in the wilderness, and bringing them to rest safely in Canaan's land, for his own glory, Isa 63:10-14 and all is closed with the church's prayer to God, imploring his grace and mercy; pleading relation to him; expostulating with him about their present case, and observing the difference between them and their enemies, Isa 63:15-19 and which prayer is continued in the next chapter.

Cross References 24

  • 1. S Isaiah 54:8
  • 2. S Exodus 18:9
  • 3. S Psalms 51:1; Ephesians 2:4
  • 4. S Psalms 100:3; S Isaiah 51:4
  • 5. S Exodus 14:30; S Isaiah 25:9
  • 6. S Exodus 14:19
  • 7. S Exodus 33:14
  • 8. Deuteronomy 7:7-8; S Ezra 9:9; S Isaiah 48:20
  • 9. S Deuteronomy 1:31; S Psalms 28:9
  • 10. S Deuteronomy 32:7; S Job 37:23
  • 11. S Psalms 78:17; Ezekiel 20:8; Acts 7:39-42; Psalms 78:40
  • 12. S Psalms 51:11; Acts 7:51; Ephesians 4:30
  • 13. Psalms 106:40; S Isaiah 10:4
  • 14. S Joshua 10:14
  • 15. S Exodus 14:22,30
  • 16. S Psalms 77:20
  • 17. S Numbers 11:17
  • 18. S Genesis 49:24; S Exodus 3:20
  • 19. Exodus 14:21-22; Isaiah 11:15
  • 20. S Psalms 102:12; S Isaiah 55:13; S Jeremiah 13:11
  • 21. S Deuteronomy 32:12
  • 22. S Exodus 14:22
  • 23. S Psalms 119:11; Jeremiah 31:9
  • 24. S Exodus 33:14; S Deuteronomy 12:9

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Or "Savior " 9"in their distress." / "It was no envoy or angel" / "but his own presence that saved them"
  • [b]. Or "But may he recall"
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