Ésaïe 63:12-19

12 Qui fit marcher à la droite de Moïse son bras glorieux; qui fendit les eaux devant eux, pour se faire un nom éternel;
13 Qui les fit marcher par les flots, comme un cheval dans le désert, sans broncher?
14 L'Esprit de l'Éternel les a conduits doucement, comme une bête qui descend dans la vallée; c'est ainsi que tu as conduit ton peuple, pour te faire un nom glorieux.
15 Regarde des cieux, et vois, de ta demeure sainte et glorieuse! Où sont ta jalousie et ta force, l'émotion de tes entrailles, et tes compassions qui se contiennent envers moi?
16 Car c'est toi qui es notre père! Quand Abraham ne nous connaîtrait pas, quand Israël ne nous avouerait pas, toi, Éternel, tu es notre père; notre Rédempteur, voilà ton nom de tout temps!
17 Pourquoi, ô Éternel, nous fais-tu égarer hors de tes voies, et endurcis-tu notre cœur pour ne pas te craindre? Reviens, en faveur de tes serviteurs, des tribus de ton héritage!
18 Pour un peu de temps ton peuple saint a possédé le pays; mais nos ennemis ont foulé ton sanctuaire.
19 Nous sommes comme ceux sur qui tu n'as jamais dominé, et qui ne sont pas appelés de ton nom!

Ésaïe 63:12-19 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.

The Ostervald translation is in the public domain.