Isaiah64

The chapter begins with a fervent plea for God to descend with power, rending the heavens and causing mountains to flow, as He has done in the past. The people confess their universal sinfulness, acknowledging that their righteousnesses are as filthy rags, which has caused God to hide His face. Despite their unworthiness, they appeal to God as their Father and Potter, lamenting the desolation of Zion, Jerusalem, and their holy temple, and beseeching Him not to remain silent in their affliction.

A Prayer for God's Dramatic Presence

1
Oh, that thou wouldest breake the heauens, and come downe, and that the mountaines might melt at thy presence!
2
As the melting fire burned, as the fire caused the waters to boyle, (that thou mightest declare thy Name to thy aduersaries) the people did tremble at thy presence.
3
When thou diddest terrible things, which we looked not for, thou camest downe, and the mountaines melted at thy presence.
4
For since the beginning of the world they haue not heard nor vnderstande with the eare, neither hath ye eye seene another God beside thee, which doeth so to him that waiteth for him.
5
Thou diddest meete him, that reioyced in thee, and did iustly: they remembred thee in thy wayes: beholde, thou art angrie, for we haue sinned: yet in them is continuance, and we shall be saued.

Confession of Sin and Unworthiness

6
But we haue all bene as an vncleane thing, and all our righteousnes is as filthie cloutes, and we all doe fade like a leafe, and our iniquities like the winde haue taken vs away.
7
And there is none that calleth vpon thy Name, neither that stirreth vp himselfe to take holde of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from vs, and hast consumed vs because of our iniquities.

Appeal to God as Father and Potter

8
But now, O Lord, thou art our Father: we are the clay, and thou art our potter, and we all are the worke of thine hands.
9
Be not angry, O Lord, aboue measure, neither remember iniquitie for euer: lo, we beseech thee beholde, we are all thy people.

Lament Over Jerusalem’s Desolation

10
Thine holy cities lye waste: Zion is a wildernes, and Ierusalem a desart.
11
The House of our Sanctuarie and of our glorie, where our fathers praysed thee, is burnt vp with fire and all our pleasant things are wasted.
12
Wilt thou holde thy selfe still at these things, O Lord? wilt thou holde thy peace and afflict vs aboue measure?
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