Isaiah 64:3

When thou didst terrible things [which] we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.

When thou didst {H6213} terrible things {H3372} which we looked {H6960} not for, thou camest down {H3381}, the mountains {H2022} flowed down {H2151} at thy presence {H6440}.

When you did tremendous things that we were not expecting, we wished that you would come down, so that the mountains would shake at your presence!

When You did awesome works that we did not expect, You came down, and the mountains trembled at Your presence.

When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains quaked at thy presence.

Context

Isaiah 64 is a powerful prayer of confession and supplication from the prophet Isaiah, speaking on behalf of a deeply distressed Israel. The people acknowledge their sin and separation from God, yet they long for His dramatic intervention. This verse is a fervent plea for God to act as He has in the past, when His presence was so overwhelming that it caused mountains to tremble and melt. It reflects a desperate yearning for God to "rend the heavens and come down," bringing about a new deliverance for His people who are suffering under the consequences of their unfaithfulness and foreign oppression.

Key Themes

  • Divine Intervention and Theophany: The core message is a fervent appeal for God's direct and visible intervention. The phrase "thou camest down" echoes historical accounts of God's descent, particularly at Mount Sinai, where His presence caused the mountain to smoke and quake. This is a prayer for a similar, awe-inspiring display of divine power to manifest in their present circumstances.
  • God's Overwhelming Power: "The mountains flowed down at thy presence" is vivid, hyperbolic imagery emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty and the irresistible force of His presence. Even the most stable and imposing elements of creation cannot stand before Him. It speaks to a power that can reshape the very landscape and overcome any obstacle.
  • Unexpected and Awe-Inspiring Acts: The "terrible things [which] we looked not for" highlights God's tendency to act in ways that are beyond human expectation, often with a mix of dread and wonder. These are not merely difficult or bad things, but *nora'ot* (Hebrew), deeds that inspire terror and awe, often associated with judgment against enemies or miraculous deliverance for His people. Psalm 65:5 also speaks of God answering by terrible things in righteousness.
  • Longing for Revival: Underlying this plea is a deep desire for national spiritual revival and restoration. The people are asking God to break through their spiritual stagnation and the oppression they face, just as He did in ancient times, demonstrating His unique power and faithfulness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "terrible things" is nora'ot (נוֹרָאוֹת), derived from the root yare (יָרֵא), meaning "to fear" or "to be in awe." It describes actions that inspire profound fear, dread, or reverence. These are not simply negative or difficult events, but actions that evoke a sense of the sublime and terrifying power of God, often in the context of His judgments or miraculous interventions. This word emphasizes the overwhelming and awe-inspiring nature of God's acts, underscoring that His power is beyond human comprehension and control.

Practical Application

Isaiah 64:3 offers several timeless applications for believers today:

  • Praying for God's Intervention: Like the Israelites, we are called to pray boldly for God to intervene in challenging situations, whether personal, communal, or global. We can ask Him to "come down" and display His power, even when circumstances seem insurmountable or solutions are not apparent.
  • Trusting God's Unpredictable Ways: God often works in ways we "looked not for." This verse encourages us to trust His sovereign plan, even when His methods are unexpected or seem overwhelming. His interventions might be "terrible" in their power, but they are always for His righteous purposes and ultimate glory.
  • Remembering God's Past Faithfulness: The prayer draws on God's historical acts of power. This reminds us to recall and meditate on God's past faithfulness and mighty deeds, which strengthens our faith and hope for His future interventions in our lives and in the world.
  • Cultivating Awe: The imagery of mountains flowing reminds us of the immense and incomparable power of God. It encourages a posture of humility and awe before the Creator, recognizing that nothing is impossible for Him and that His presence can transform any reality.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Habakkuk 3:3

    ¶ God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.

  • Psalms 65:5

    [By] terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; [who art] the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off [upon] the sea:

  • Psalms 65:6

    ¶ Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; [being] girded with power:

  • Psalms 66:5

    Come and see the works of God: [he is] terrible [in his] doing toward the children of men.

  • Psalms 66:3

    Say unto God, How terrible [art thou in] thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.

  • Psalms 106:22

    Wondrous works in the land of Ham, [and] terrible things by the Red sea.

  • Deuteronomy 10:21

    He [is] thy praise, and he [is] thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.

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