Isaiah 64:9

KJV

Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we [are] all thy people.

KJV (with Strong's)

Be not wroth {H7107} very sore {H3966}, O LORD {H3068}, neither remember {H2142} iniquity {H5771} for ever {H5703}: behold, see {H5027}, we beseech thee, we are all thy people {H5971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Do not be so very angry, ADONAI! Don't remember crime forever. Look, please, we are all your people.

Berean Standard Bible

Do not be angry, O LORD, beyond measure; do not remember our iniquity forever. Oh, look upon us, we pray; we are all Your people!

American Standard Version

Be not wroth very sore, O Jehovah, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, look, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 64:9 is a profound and desperate plea from the prophet, speaking on behalf of a humbled and suffering Israel, to the sovereign Lord. It encapsulates a fervent cry for God to relent from His intense wrath and to cease the prolonged remembrance of their iniquity, grounding this impassioned appeal in the enduring covenant relationship that identifies them as "all thy people." This verse articulates a deep awareness of divine justice alongside an unwavering hope in God's mercy and His faithfulness to His chosen nation, even amidst their profound sin and desolation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a lengthy and poignant prayer of lament and confession that spans [Isaiah 63:7-64:12](/isaiah/63 "Isaiah 63-64 - A Prayer of Lament and Confession"). This prayer follows a section describing God's past acts of salvation and His present judgment, acknowledging the nation's rebellion and the resulting desolation of Jerusalem and the Temple. The preceding verses in chapter 64 vividly depict the people's longing for God to "rend the heavens" and come down, contrasting His past mighty deeds with their current state of spiritual and physical ruin. The plea in verse 9 serves as a direct address to God, acknowledging His righteous anger while appealing to His compassionate nature and their unique relationship as His covenant people. It is a pivot point where the people, having confessed their sin and recognized God's just judgment, now humbly implore His mercy and intervention.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prayer in Isaiah 63-64 is widely understood to reflect the period of the Babylonian exile or the immediate post-exilic era, when the Jewish people were experiencing the devastating consequences of their disobedience. Jerusalem lay in ruins, the Temple was destroyed, and the people were scattered and oppressed. This historical reality provides the backdrop for the "sore" wrath and the "iniquity" that God remembers "for ever"—referring to the prolonged period of divine judgment and the apparent abandonment. Culturally, the concept of a covenant relationship between a deity and a people was known in the ancient Near East, but Israel's covenant with Yahweh was unique in its moral demands and the intimate, familial language used to describe it. The appeal "we are all thy people" taps into this foundational identity, reminding God of His promises and His historical commitment to Israel, even when they had broken their side of the covenant. The lament tradition, common in the Psalms (e.g., [Psalm 79](/psalms/79 "Psalm 79 - A Lament over Jerusalem's Destruction") or [Psalm 80](/psalms/80 "Psalm 80 - A Prayer for Restoration")), provides a cultural framework for such a communal cry for divine intervention in times of national distress.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 64:9 powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes present throughout the book of Isaiah and the prophetic corpus. Firstly, it highlights the **holiness and justice of God**, acknowledging that His "sore" wrath and the remembrance of "iniquity" are righteous responses to Israel's rebellion (cf. [Isaiah 59:1-2](/isaiah/59-1 "Isaiah 59:1-2 - Sin Separates from God")). Secondly, it underscores the profound theme of **human sinfulness and corporate confession**, as the people collectively admit their guilt and the justness of their suffering. Thirdly, and most significantly, it emphasizes God's **covenant faithfulness and mercy**. Despite Israel's failures, the plea "we are all thy people" appeals to God's unchanging character and His enduring commitment to the covenant established with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (e.g., [Genesis 17:7](/genesis/17-7 "Genesis 17:7 - The Everlasting Covenant")). This theme of God's unmerited favor, even in the face of deserved judgment, is central. Finally, the verse implicitly carries a **hope for restoration and redemption**, rooted not in human merit but in God's compassionate nature and His ultimate desire to dwell with His people, a hope that permeates the latter half of Isaiah (e.g., [Isaiah 40:1-2](/isaiah/40-1 "Isaiah 40:1-2 - Comfort for God's People")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wroth (Hebrew, _qâtsaph'_):** This primitive root signifies "to crack off" or, figuratively, "to burst out in rage." It conveys an intense, boiling anger, emphasizing the depth and severity of God's righteous indignation. The use of this word here indicates that the people perceive God's current judgment as a profound and overwhelming expression of His wrath, not merely a mild displeasure.
* **Remember (Hebrew, _zâkar'_):** While literally meaning "to mark (so as to be recognized)" or "to remember," in this context, it carries the implication of God *acting* on the basis of past actions. To ask God not to "remember iniquity for ever" is not to suggest He literally forgets, but rather that He would cease to hold their sins against them in an active, punitive sense, thereby ending the period of judgment and restoring favor. It's a plea for the cessation of consequences, not the erasure of memory.
* **Iniquity (Hebrew, _ʻâvôn'_):** This term denotes "perversity" or "moral evil," encompassing fault, mischief, and sin. Crucially, it also refers to the "punishment (of iniquity)." Thus, the plea against God remembering "iniquity for ever" is a cry for an end to both the ongoing consequences of their sin and the divine judgment that stems from it. It acknowledges the deep moral corruption that led to their current suffering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Be not wroth very sore, O LORD,"**: This opening clause is a direct, urgent supplication to God. The people acknowledge the intensity of God's anger ("very sore") and plead for its mitigation. It reveals their understanding that their suffering is a direct result of divine displeasure, but also expresses a desperate hope that this wrath is not permanent.
* **"neither remember iniquity for ever:"**: This continues the plea, asking God to cease the active, punitive remembrance of their sins. It's a cry for an end to the prolonged period of judgment and a desire for God to move beyond their past transgressions to a state of forgiveness and reconciliation. The phrase "for ever" highlights the perceived unending nature of their suffering and their longing for its conclusion.
* **"behold, see, we beseech thee, we [are] all thy people."**: This final clause provides the foundational argument for their plea. The double imperative "behold, see" serves to draw God's attention to their plight and their identity. The phrase "we beseech thee" underscores the humility and earnestness of their request. Most importantly, the declaration "we are all thy people" is a powerful appeal to God's covenant faithfulness. Despite their sin, they remind God of their unique relationship with Him, implying that His honor and promises are bound up with their restoration.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the depiction of God as experiencing "wrath" and "remembering" or "forgetting" iniquity, attributing human emotions and actions to the divine to make His dealings relatable. The phrase "Be not wroth very sore" is a form of **supplication** or **lament**, a direct, heartfelt appeal to God for mercy. The repetition of "behold, see" acts as an **imperative for attention**, urgently calling God's focus to their desperate situation. The entire verse functions as a **plea based on covenant**, where the people's identity as "thy people" serves as the ultimate ground for their petition, appealing to God's character and His historical relationship with Israel. There's also an element of **hyperbole** in "for ever," emphasizing the perceived endlessness of their suffering and their desperate desire for its cessation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This poignant plea in Isaiah 64:9 resonates deeply with the broader biblical narrative concerning God's justice, mercy, and covenant faithfulness. It underscores the truth that while God is righteous in His judgment of sin, His ultimate character is one of compassion and a desire for reconciliation with His people. The tension between divine wrath and divine mercy is a recurring theme, often resolved by God's own initiative to forgive and restore based on His covenant promises, not human merit. This verse serves as a model for how a repentant people, acknowledging their guilt, can still appeal to God's unchanging nature and His prior commitments. It anticipates the New Covenant promise of complete forgiveness and the removal of remembered sin.

* [Psalm 103:10-12](/psalms/103-10 "Psalm 103:10-12 - God's Mercy and Forgiveness") - "He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."
* [Jeremiah 31:34](/jeremiah/31-34 "Jeremiah 31:34 - God Forgets Sins in the New Covenant") - "And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord's Compassionate Character") - "And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 64:9 offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today, highlighting the pathway to restoration through humble confession and an appeal to God's character. It teaches us that even when we are deeply aware of our failings and the just consequences of our sin, we can still approach God with confidence, not based on our own righteousness, but on His enduring mercy and His covenant promises. Our identity as "His people," whether ancient Israel or the church today, forms the bedrock of our hope. This verse encourages us to be brutally honest about our sin, to acknowledge the pain and discipline that may come from it, but never to lose sight of God's willingness to forgive and restore. It reminds us that divine discipline is not punitive in the sense of eternal condemnation for believers, but rather redemptive, designed to draw us back into closer fellowship with Him. Our God is not one who delights in perpetual wrath, but one who desires reconciliation and wholeness for those who are called by His name.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you need to humbly confess sin and ask God to "not remember iniquity for ever"?**
* **How does your understanding of being "God's people" (or a child of God) empower your prayers for mercy and forgiveness, even when you feel unworthy?**
* **How can you maintain hope in God's restorative power during times of personal or communal discipline and suffering?**
* **What does this verse teach you about the balance between God's justice and His mercy in His dealings with humanity?**

### FAQ
**Does "remember iniquity for ever" mean God literally forgets our sins?**

Answer: No, the phrase "remember iniquity for ever" is an anthropomorphism, a way of describing God's actions in human terms. It doesn't mean God literally has a faulty memory. Rather, it's a plea for God to cease *acting* on the basis of their past sins, to end the period of judgment and punishment, and to restore His favor. In a theological sense, when God "remembers" sin, it implies a continued reckoning or holding a grudge. When He promises to "remember no more," as in [Jeremiah 31:34](/jeremiah/31-34 "Jeremiah 31:34 - God Forgets Sins in the New Covenant"), it means He will no longer bring those sins to account or allow them to hinder His relationship with His people. For believers in Christ, this is fulfilled through the New Covenant, where sins are truly forgiven and removed (cf. [Hebrews 8:12](/hebrews/8-12 "Hebrews 8:12 - Sins Remembered No More")).

**What does "we are all thy people" signify in this context?**

Answer: This declaration is a powerful appeal to God's covenant faithfulness and the unique relationship He established with Israel. It reminds God that despite their rebellion and the justness of His wrath, they still belong to Him by virtue of His divine election and covenant promises (cf. [Deuteronomy 7:6](/deuteronomy/7-6 "Deuteronomy 7:6 - Israel, God's Holy People")). It's a humble yet firm assertion of their identity, appealing to God's honor and commitment to His chosen nation. It implies that God's reputation is intertwined with the fate of His people, and that His mercy is consistent with His character as a covenant-keeping God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 64:9 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The desperate plea for God to "not be wroth very sore" and "neither remember iniquity for ever" is answered definitively through the atoning work of the Lamb of God. Humanity's "iniquity" was fully borne by Christ on the cross, where He became sin for us (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), thereby absorbing the "very sore" wrath of God that our sins deserved. Through His sacrifice, God's righteous anger against sin was satisfied, and the barrier of iniquity was removed. Now, under the New Covenant, God indeed remembers the sins of His people no more (cf. [Hebrews 10:17](/hebrews/10-17 "Hebrews 10:17 - Sins and Lawless Deeds Remembered No More")). The declaration "we are all thy people" takes on a new and glorious dimension for believers in Christ, who are now adopted into God's family through faith (cf. [Galatians 3:26](/galatians/3-26 "Galatians 3:26 - Children of God Through Faith")). We approach God not based on our own merit or even our covenant identity alone, but through the perfect mediation of Jesus, our great High Priest, enabling us to draw near with confidence to the throne of grace (cf. [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")). In Christ, the plea for mercy is eternally granted, and our identity as God's beloved people is secured, not by our performance, but by His finished work.

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

Psalms 74:1

¶ Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast [us] off for ever? [why] doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?

Psalms 74:2

Remember thy congregation, [which] thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, [which] thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.

Micah 7:18

Who [is] a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth [in] mercy.

Micah 7:20

Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, [and] the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.

Psalms 79:13

So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.

Isaiah 43:25

I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Psalms 38:1

¶ A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.