When thou didst terrible things (comp. Deuteronomy 10:21 ; 2 Samuel 7:23 ; Psalms 49:4 ; Psalms 106:22 ). The phrase, as Mr. Cheyne remarks, is a "standing" one for the wonders of the Exodus. Which we looked not for; i.e. which transcended our utmost expectations. Thou earnest down (see Exodus 19:11 , Exodus 19:20 ). read more
Neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee , what he hath prepared, etc.; rather, as in the margin, neither hath the eye seen a God , beside thee , which worketh for him that waiteth upon him. The only "living God" who really works for his votaries, and does them good service, is Jehovah (comp. Isaiah 41:23 , Isaiah 41:24 ; Isaiah 44:9 , etc.). read more
Man's ignorance of God's goodness to him. "For from of old men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen a God beside thee, which worketh for him that waiteth for him" (Revised Version). A very old weakness of humanity it is to try and find somebody who may be preferred to God, and this comes out of the fact that God is so very imperfectly known, or else is so very strangely misunderstood. A hint is here given us of the reason why there is so much misunderstanding... read more
Thou meetest him that rejoiceth . God "meets" with gracious welcome and ready aid whoever rejoices in doing righteousness and serving him, whoever "remembers him in his ways." But this, alas: is not the present relationship between God and Israel. God is "angry" with them—they must, therefore, "have sinned;" and so they proceed to confess their sin. In those is continuance, and we shall be saved. This is a very difficult passage. Mr. Cheyne regards it as hopelessly corrupt. Bishop Lowth... read more
The cry of humiliation and of hope. I. THE CONFESSION . "Woe are we, for we are unclean!" Like the leper, dwelling alone without the camp (Le 13:44-46), so is the people; as he is cut off from the society of men, so they from the converse of God; or as something ceremonially polluted and defiled (Le Isaiah 5:2 ; Deuteronomy 14:19 ), or morally defiled ( Job 14:4 ). The language carries a feeling of intense abhorrence. Under another figure, their penal offences have "carried... read more
But we are all as an unclean thing ; rather, we are all become as one who is unclean (comp. Isaiah 35:8 ; Isaiah 52:1 ). A moral leprosy is upon us. We are like the leprous man, who has to rend his clothes, and to go about crying " Tame ! tame !" "Unclean: unclean!" that those who hear may get out of his way. All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; or, as a menstruous garment (see Lamentations 1:17 ). In the best deeds of the best men there is some taint of evil. As... read more
Life as a leaf. There are three volumes in the great work of God by which he is educating us—the written Word, Divine providence, and the world in which he has placed us. There are many pages in this last volume, and we do well to read them with reverent spirit. We may learn many things from the vegetation which clothes and adorns the world, and which supplies us with food and medicine and shelter. The fading of the leaf is particularly suggestive; we are reminded that— I. ALL IS ... read more
The sincere man's estimate of himself. "For we are all become as one that is unclean, and all our righteousnesses are as a polluted garment: and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away." This is the language indeed of an intercessor, of one who speaks as representing the nation, and tries to speak as the nation should speak. But such a man must get at the knowledge of the condition of the nation by a deep and true estimate of his own real self. There is no... read more
There is none that calleth on thy Name . A hyperbole, like Psalms 19:1 , Psalms 19:3 , "There is none that doeth good, no, not one." A general lethargy and apathy had come over the people, so that they could with difficulty rouse themselves to faith and calling upon God. But this general lethargy was not universal; there was a "remnant" which " prayed and did not faint." That stirreth up himself to take hold of thee . This expresses more than mere prayer; it is earnest, intense,... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 64:2
As when the melting fire burneth , etc.; rather, as when fire kindles brushwood , and makes water to boil. Connect the similes with the last clause of Isaiah 64:1 . The mountains shall be as powerless to resist Jehovah, as brushwood or water to resist fire. To make thy Name known (comp. Isaiah 63:12 ). Such an "epiphany" as the Church prays for would make the Name of Jehovah known far and wide, exalting him high above all gods, and causing "the nations"— i.e. the whole heathen... read more