Isaiah 63:7--64:12

A Prayer for Divine Intervention

63:7 I will tell of the faithful acts of the Lord,

of the Lord’s praiseworthy deeds.

I will tell about all the Lord did for us,

the many good things he did for the family of Israel,

because of his compassion and great faithfulness.

63:8 He said, “Certainly they will be my people,

children who are not disloyal.”

He became their deliverer.

63:9 Through all that they suffered, he suffered too.

The messenger sent from his very presence delivered them.

In his love and mercy he protected them;

he lifted them up and carried them throughout ancient times.

63:10 But they rebelled and offended his holy Spirit,

so he turned into an enemy

and fought against them.

63:11 His people remembered the ancient times.

Where is the one who brought them up out of the sea,

along with the shepherd of his flock?

Where is the one who placed his holy Spirit among them,

63:12 the one who made his majestic power available to Moses,

who divided the water before them,

gaining for himself a lasting reputation,

63:13 who led them through the deep water?

Like a horse running on flat land they did not stumble.

63:14 Like an animal that goes down into a valley to graze,

so the Spirit of the Lord granted them rest.

In this way you guided your people,

gaining for yourself an honored reputation.

63:15 Look down from heaven and take notice,

from your holy, majestic palace!

Where are your zeal and power?

Do not hold back your tender compassion!

63:16 For you are our father,

though Abraham does not know us

and Israel does not recognize us.

You, Lord, are our father;

you have been called our protector from ancient times.

63:17 Why, Lord, do you make us stray from your ways,

and make our minds stubborn so that we do not obey you?

Return for the sake of your servants,

the tribes of your inheritance!

63:18 For a short time your special nation possessed a land,

but then our adversaries knocked down your holy sanctuary.

63:19 We existed from ancient times,

but you did not rule over them,

they were not your subjects.

64:1 (63:19b) If only you would tear apart the sky and come down!

The mountains would tremble before you!

64:2 (64:1) As when fire ignites dry wood,

or fire makes water boil,

let your adversaries know who you are,

and may the nations shake at your presence!

64:3 When you performed awesome deeds that took us by surprise,

you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.

64:4 Since ancient times no one has heard or perceived,

no eye has seen any God besides you,

who intervenes for those who wait for him.

64:5 You assist those who delight in doing what is right,

who observe your commandments.

Look, you were angry because we violated them continually.

How then can we be saved?

64:6 We are all like one who is unclean,

all our so-called righteous acts are like a menstrual rag in your sight.

We all wither like a leaf;

our sins carry us away like the wind.

64:7 No one invokes your name,

or makes an effort to take hold of you.

For you have rejected us

and handed us over to our own sins.

64:8 Yet, Lord, you are our father.

We are the clay, and you are our potter;

we are all the product of your labor.

64:9 Lord, do not be too angry!

Do not hold our sins against us continually!

Take a good look at your people, at all of us!

64:10 Your chosen cities have become a desert;

Zion has become a desert,

Jerusalem is a desolate ruin.

64:11 Our holy temple, our pride and joy,

the place where our ancestors praised you,

has been burned with fire;

all our prized possessions have been destroyed.

64:12 In light of all this, how can you still hold back, Lord?

How can you be silent and continue to humiliate us?