Isaiah 64

Prayer for God's Mercy

1 Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence, Parallel theme: Isaiah 63:15, Exodus 3:8, 19:11, Psalms 46:6, 68:8, Amos 9:13, Mark 1:10, Revelation 20:11 +3

2 As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence! Parallel theme: Psalms 99:1, Jeremiah 5:22, 33:9

3 When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence. Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 10:21, Psalms 66:3, 66:5, 106:22, Habakkuk 3:3

4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. References God: Isaiah 25:9, 30:18, Psalms 62:1, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 11:16. Parallel theme: Genesis 49:18, Psalms 31:19, 130:5, John 14:3, James 5:7 +5

5 Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved. Righteousness: Acts 10:35

6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Righteousness: Isaiah 46:12, Job 25:4, Philippians 3:9. Parallel theme: Isaiah 53:6, Job 14:4, Psalms 51:5, Zechariah 3:3, Romans 7:18, 7:24, Titus 3:3 +5

7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities. Parallel theme: Isaiah 27:5, 50:2, 54:8, 57:17, 59:2, 59:4, 59:16, Ezekiel 22:30, Hosea 7:7, 7:14 +5

8 But now, O LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty., thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. References Lord: Isaiah 44:24, 63:16, Psalms 100:3, 138:8. Parallel theme: Isaiah 29:16, 43:7, 44:21, 45:9, Psalms 119:73, Ephesians 2:10 +5

9 Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquityIniquity: עָוֹן (Avon). The Hebrew avon (עָוֹן) encompasses iniquity, guilt, and its punishment—the twisted nature of sin. 'The LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all' (Isaiah 53:6), Christ bearing our guilt and penalty. for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people. Parallel theme: Psalms 79:13

10 Thy holyHoly: קָדוֹשׁ (Qadosh). The Hebrew qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ) means holy or set apart—separated from common use for God's purposes. God is 'the Holy One of Israel,' utterly distinct from creation in moral perfection. cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation. References Jerusalem: Luke 21:24. Parallel theme: Isaiah 1:7

11 Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste. Parallel theme: 2 Kings 25:9, 2 Chronicles 36:19, Jeremiah 52:13, Lamentations 1:7, 2:7, Ezekiel 24:21

12 Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O LORD? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore? References Lord: Zechariah 1:12. Peace: Isaiah 42:14, Psalms 83:1