Isaiah 63:7-14

Remembering Yahweh’s Mercy

7 I will mention the loyal love of Yahweh, the praises of Yahweh, according to all that Yahweh has done for us, and [the] greatness of goodness to the house of Israel that he has done to them according to his mercy and the abundance of his loyal love.
8 And he said, "Surely my people [are] children; they will not break faith." And he became a Savior to them.
9 In all their distress, {there was no distress}, and the messenger of his {presence} saved them, in his love and compassion he himself redeemed them, and he lifted them up, and he supported them all [the] days of old.
10 But they {were the ones who} rebelled, and they grieved {his Holy Spirit}, so he {became an enemy to them}; he himself fought against them.
11 Then his people remembered the days of old, [of] Moses. Where [is] the one who led up them from [the] sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where [is] the one who puts {his Holy Spirit} inside him,
12 {who made} his magnificent arm move {at} the right hand of Moses, {who divided} [the] waters {before them}, to make an everlasting name for himself,
13 {who led} them through the depths? They did not stumble like [a] horse in the desert;
14 like cattle in the valley [that] goes down, the Spirit of Yahweh {gave him rest}, so you lead your people to make a magnificent name for yourself.

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.

Footnotes 15

  • [a]. The reading tradition (Qere) has "he had distress"
  • [b]. Literally "face"
  • [c]. Or "And"
  • [d]. Literally "they"
  • [e]. Literally "the spirit of his holiness"
  • [f]. Or "and"
  • [g]. Literally "was changed to them to one who is hostile"
  • [h]. Or "And"
  • [i]. Literally "the spirit of his holiness"
  • [j]. Literally "bringing"
  • [k]. Literally "to"
  • [l]. Literally "dividing"
  • [m]. Literally "from their face"
  • [n]. Literally "leading"
  • [o]. Literally "caused to rest"
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.