Isaiah 64:5

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou meetest {H6293} him that rejoiceth {H7797} and worketh {H6213} righteousness {H6664}, those that remember {H2142} thee in thy ways {H1870}: behold, thou art wroth {H7107}; for we have sinned {H2398}: in those is continuance {H5769}, and we shall be saved {H3467}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You favored those who were glad to do justice, those who remembered you in your ways. When you were angry, we kept sinning; but if we keep your ancient ways, we will be saved.

Berean Standard Bible

You welcome those who gladly do right, who remember Your ways. Surely You were angry, for we sinned. How can we be saved if we remain in our sins?

American Standard Version

Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou wast wroth, and we sinned: in them have we been of long time; and shall we be saved?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 64:5 presents a poignant lament and confession from a people acutely aware of their sin and God's righteous displeasure, yet simultaneously clinging to the enduring hope found in His unchanging character. The prophet contrasts God's readiness to meet and bless those who joyfully pursue righteousness and remember His ways with the nation's pervasive unfaithfulness, which has justly provoked divine wrath. Despite this stark reality of human failure, the verse culminates in a profound affirmation of salvation, rooted not in human merit, but in the eternal, steadfast nature of God's righteous principles and His unwavering faithfulness, providing a secure foundation for continued hope and ultimate deliverance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within a communal prayer of lament and confession that spans [Isaiah 63:7-64:12](/isaiah/63-7-64-12 "Isaiah 63:7-64:12 - A Prayer of Lament and Confession"). Following a powerful recollection of God's past acts of salvation and judgment for Israel, the prophet Isaiah, speaking on behalf of a distressed and possibly exiled community, pours out the nation's heart before God. The prayer acknowledges God's righteous anger due to their persistent rebellion but appeals to His compassionate nature and covenant promises. [Isaiah 64:1-4](/isaiah/64-1-4 "Isaiah 64:1-4 - A Fervent Plea for Divine Intervention") expresses a fervent longing for God to "rend the heavens and come down," demonstrating His power as He did in ancient times. Verse 5 then immediately shifts to a deeper, corporate confession, starkly contrasting God's holy character with their own unworthiness and sin, thereby setting the theological stage for the subsequent desperate plea for restoration and mercy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The broader context of Isaiah 40-66 addresses a post-exilic or late exilic period, where the people of Judah are grappling with the devastating consequences of their disobedience, including the destruction of Jerusalem, the temple, and their exile to Babylon. This era was marked by national humiliation, spiritual despondency, and a profound sense of abandonment by God. The prayer in [Isaiah 64](/isaiah/64 "Isaiah 64 - A Prayer for Restoration") reflects the deep theological tension of a people who knew God's covenant faithfulness yet experienced His severe judgment. Culturally, the act of communal lament and confession was a vital spiritual practice in ancient Israel, serving as a means of acknowledging corporate sin, appealing to divine mercy, and seeking restoration within the covenant relationship. The anthropomorphic language of God "meeting" or "being wroth" reflects the deeply personal and relational understanding of God prevalent in ancient Israelite thought, where divine actions were directly tied to human obedience or disobedience.
* **Key Themes:** [Isaiah 64:5](/isaiah/64-5 "Isaiah 64:5 - God's Character and Human Sin") powerfully articulates several core themes prevalent throughout Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. It highlights the **divine standard of righteousness** and God's favorable disposition towards those who genuinely pursue it, echoing calls for justice and righteousness found in passages like [Isaiah 1:16-17](/isaiah/1-16-17 "Isaiah 1:16-17 - Wash Yourselves Clean"). Conversely, it underscores the **gravity of human sin** and its inevitable consequence: divine wrath, a theme consistently present when Israel deviates from God's covenant, as seen in the warnings of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Most significantly, the verse introduces the profound theme of **hope rooted in God's enduring character**. Despite the stark acknowledgment of sin and wrath, the concluding phrase "in those is continuance, and we shall be saved" points to the eternal nature of God's ways and His unchanging faithfulness as the sole basis for salvation, even when humanity fails. This resonates with the broader message of God's ultimate plan for restoration and redemption, culminating in the promise of a new heaven and new earth in [Isaiah 65-66](/isaiah/65 "Isaiah 65-66 - New Heavens and New Earth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Meetest (Hebrew, _pâgaʻ'_):** From H6293, meaning "to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity; come (betwixt), cause to entreat, fall (upon), make intercession, intercessor, intreat, lay, light (upon), meet (together), pray, reach, run." In this context, it conveys God's active, intentional, and positive engagement with those who live righteously. It suggests a welcoming encounter, indicating divine favor and responsiveness to their actions and character.
* **Sinned (Hebrew, _châṭâʼ'_):** From H2398, a primitive root meaning "properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn." This powerful word encapsulates the human failure to meet God's holy standard, to "miss the mark" of His righteous demands. It highlights the inherent rebellion, moral deviation, and spiritual deficiency that separates humanity from God and justly provokes His wrath.
* **Continuance (Hebrew, _ʻôwlâm'_):** From H5769, meaning "properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially with prepositional prefix) always." This term signifies eternity, everlastingness, or a very long, indefinite duration. Here, it refers to the eternal, unchanging nature of God's character, His ways, and His covenant faithfulness. It is the enduring quality of God's being that provides the stable, immutable foundation for hope and salvation, even in the face of human transience and pervasive sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, [those that] remember thee in thy ways:"** This opening clause describes God's active and favorable response to a specific kind of person. It is not merely about external conformity but an internal disposition of joy (H7797, _sûws_) in doing what is right (H6213, _ʻâsâh_ righteousness, H6664, _tsedeq_). The phrase "remember thee in thy ways" (H2142, _zâkar_ H1870, _derek_) implies more than intellectual recall; it signifies active obedience, living in accordance with God's established paths, commands, and character, and a deep, abiding relationship. God is portrayed as welcoming and engaging with such individuals.
* **"behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned:"** This marks a sharp and immediate contrast, a pivot from divine favor to human failure. The prophet shifts from describing God's ideal interaction with the righteous to confessing the nation's profound and pervasive sinfulness (H2398, _châṭâʼ_), which has justly provoked God's righteous anger (H7107, _qâtsaph_). The interjection "behold" serves as an exclamation, emphasizing the stark and undeniable reality of their fallen state and the just consequence of divine wrath. This is a corporate confession, acknowledging collective guilt and culpability.
* **"in those is continuance, and we shall be saved."** This concluding clause offers a profound statement of hope and the theological anchor of the verse. "In those" refers back to God's "ways" or His enduring character and righteous principles, which stand in stark contrast to human transience and sin. The word "continuance" (H5769, _ʻôwlâm_) signifies eternity or everlastingness, implying that God's nature, His righteous standards, and His covenant faithfulness are eternal and unchanging. It is because of this unchanging, eternal foundation—God's steadfastness and His commitment to His own righteous character—that salvation (H3467, _yâshaʻ_) is possible, even for a sinful people. Salvation is thus rooted not in human merit or performance, but in the enduring, immutable nature of God Himself.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 64:5 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Contrast**, which sharply juxtaposes God's favorable disposition towards the righteous with His just wrath against the sinful. This highlights the immense chasm between human failing and God's holy standard. **Parallelism** is evident in the description of the righteous: "rejoiceth and worketh righteousness" and "remember thee in thy ways," both phrases describing a holistic, joyful, and obedient walk with God. The use of **Pathos** is strong in the corporate confession "for we have sinned," evoking a deep sense of shared guilt, humility, and desperation before a holy God. Finally, the verse culminates in a powerful statement of **Hope**, which is profoundly grounded in the eternal and unchanging nature of God's ways, serving as a beacon of light and assurance amidst the darkness of acknowledged sin and divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 64:5 encapsulates a core theological tension: the absolute holiness and righteousness of God contrasted with the pervasive sinfulness of humanity. It affirms that God is not indifferent to human conduct; He actively engages with and blesses those who joyfully pursue His ways, yet His justice demands a response to sin. Crucially, the verse pivots from despair to hope, asserting that the possibility of salvation is not contingent on fleeting human goodness but on the eternal, unchanging nature of God's character and His righteous principles. This foundational truth—that God's essence provides the ultimate ground for redemption—is a cornerstone of biblical theology, demonstrating His steadfast love and faithfulness even in judgment, and pointing to a salvation that is ultimately rooted in His own being.
* [Psalm 145:17](/psalm/145-17 "Psalm 145:17 - The Lord is Righteous in All His Ways")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - The Lord's Mercies Never Cease")
* [Romans 3:23-24](/romans/3-23-24 "Romans 3:23-24 - All Have Sinned, Justified by Grace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 64:5 serves as a profound mirror for self-examination and a wellspring of enduring hope. It calls us to an honest assessment of our lives, recognizing that true righteousness is not merely external adherence to rules but a joyful embrace of God's ways, rooted in a heart that remembers and delights in Him. When we inevitably fall short, as the prophet confesses on behalf of the nation, the verse compels us to acknowledge our sin and the just displeasure it provokes in a holy God. Yet, it does not leave us in despair. Instead, it directs our gaze to the eternal and unchanging character of God. Our hope for salvation, forgiveness, and restoration rests solely on His enduring faithfulness, His righteous ways, and His covenant love, not on our own fleeting merits or inconsistent obedience. This liberating truth should humble us, drive us to sincere repentance, and fill us with unwavering confidence in His power to save. It also challenges us to actively pursue a life that reflects His character, finding genuine joy in obedience and living as those who truly remember Him in all our ways, knowing that our ultimate security is in His eternal nature.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I genuinely "rejoice and work righteousness," and where do I find myself struggling to do so with joy or consistency?**
* **How does the acknowledgment of God's wrath against sin deepen my understanding of His holiness and my profound need for His grace?**
* **Where do I tend to place my hope for salvation, forgiveness, or personal transformation—in my own efforts and achievements, or in the "continuance" (eternal nature) of God's ways and character?**
* **What does it mean practically to "remember God in His ways" in my daily life, beyond mere intellectual recall, and how can I cultivate a deeper delight in His paths?**

### FAQ
**Does "Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness" imply that salvation is earned by good works?**

Answer: No, this verse does not teach salvation by works. Instead, it describes God's favorable disposition towards those who genuinely live in accordance with His character and commands. The prophet is contrasting God's ideal relationship with a righteous people with the current reality of Israel's sin. The phrase "rejoiceth and worketh righteousness" describes a life of joyful obedience, which is a *response* to God's grace and a fruit of a right relationship with Him, not a *means* of earning salvation. The latter part of the verse, "for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved," clarifies that salvation is ultimately rooted in God's eternal nature and faithfulness, not in human merit. It highlights that even when humans fail, God's unchanging character provides the basis for redemption. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching that salvation is by grace through faith, as powerfully articulated in [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 64:5 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The verse describes God meeting those who "rejoice and work righteousness" and "remember Him in His ways." Jesus perfectly embodied this ideal, living a life of absolute righteousness and joyful obedience to the Father, always doing what pleased Him ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Does What Pleases the Father")). He is the only one who truly "worked righteousness" without blemish, and in Him, God found perfect delight. Furthermore, the confession "for we have sinned" points directly to the universal human condition that necessitated Christ's atoning work. He became the perfect sacrifice, bearing the wrath of God for our sins on the cross, thus satisfying divine justice and making propitiation for our transgressions ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ's Propitiation for Sins")). Most significantly, the hope "in those is continuance, and we shall be saved" finds its anchor in Christ. The "continuance" refers to the eternal, unchanging nature of God's righteous ways, which are perfectly revealed and upheld in Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Our salvation is not based on our own fleeting righteousness, but on the eternal righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to us by faith ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His death and resurrection, Christ ensures that God's righteous character, which demands judgment for sin, also provides the eternal basis for our deliverance and reconciliation, making salvation eternally secure for all who believe in Him ([Hebrews 5:9](/hebrews/5-9 "Hebrews 5:9 - Christ, the Source of Eternal Salvation")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Philippians 3:13

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Philippians 3:15

¶ Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Acts 10:35

But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Exodus 25:22

And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which [are] upon the ark of the testimony, of all [things] which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

Isaiah 63:10

But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, [and] he fought against them.

Exodus 29:42

[This shall be] a continual burnt offering throughout your generations [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.