Isaiah 64:1-4 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 64:1-5

Longing for the appearance of God. "Widely yawns the gulf between Israel and her God. A revelation on the widest possible scale is necessary to smite down unbelief and annihilate opposition; God himself must appear." I. FIGURES OF THE MANIFESTATION OF GOD . The rending of the heavens. For the time of trouble is as the hiding of the face of God behind thick clouds ( Job 22:13 , Job 22:14 ). The word given, rend , is very strong —tear asunder , as garments in grief... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 64:1-5

Hope in God. The fervent language of the text is indicative of an intense spiritual struggle; the heart of the prophet is filled with conflicting hopes and fears. Sensible of great national sins, but mindful of great mercies at the hand of God, he now fears lest Israel has gone beyond redemption, and now prays for Divine rescue and restoration. We have— I. A SENSE OF GOD 'S OVERWHELMING POWER . Israel was brought very low; her land was desolate, her people scattered, her... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 64:1-12

ISRAEL 'S PRAYER CONTINUED AND CONCLUDED . Not content with praying God to look upon them once more with favour ( Isaiah 63:15 ), Israel now asks for a theophany, or manifestation of the Divine Presence, such as they have experienced in the times of old, and such as shall suffice to strike terror into the hearts of their enemies ( Isaiah 64:1-4 ). With profound humility confessing their manifold and grievous iniquities, they beseech God once more, as their Father and Maker,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 64:3

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 64:4

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 64:4

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 64:1

Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens - That is, in view of the considerations urged in the previous chapter. In view of the fact that the temple is burned up Isaiah 64:11; that the city is desolate; that the land lies waste, and that thine own people are carried captive to a distant land. The phrase ‘rend the heavens,’ implies a sudden and sublime descent of Yahweh to execute vengeance on his foes, as if his heart was full of vengeance, and the firmament were violently rent asunder at his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 64:2

As when the melting fire burneth - Margin, ‘The fire of meltings.’ Lowth renders it, ‘As when the fire kindleth the dry fuel.’ So Noyes, ‘As fire kindleth the dry stubble.’ The Septuagint render it: Ὡς κηρὸς ἀπὸ προσώπου πυρὸς τήκεται Hōs kēros apo prosōpou puros tēketai - ‘As wax is melted before the fire.’ So the Syriac renders it. The Hebrew word rendered here in the margin ‘meltings’ (המסים hămâsı̂ym), properly means, according to Gesenius, brushwood, twigs. So Saddias renders... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 64:3

When thou didst terrible things - In delivering the people from Egypt, and in conducting them to the promised land.Which we looked not for - Which we had never before witnessed, and which we had no right to expect.Thou camest down - As on Mount Sinai.The mountains flowed down - (See the notes above). The reference is to the manifestations of smoke and fire when Yahweh descended on Mount Sinai (see Exodus 19:18). read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 64:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 64:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 64:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 64:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 64:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 64:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 64:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 64:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 64:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 64:3

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