Isaiah 64

This Chapter beginneth in the middle of a verse, according to the distinctions in the Hebrew.

Isaiah 64:1

wouldest rent] Considering the indignities, and outrages against thee, and thy people, chap. LXII. 18.

come down] Psal. XVIII. 9,—16.

Isaiah 64:3

terrible things] Of old, on the behalf of thy people, Ps. LXXVIII. and CV. and CVI. Nehem. IX. Exod, III. 8.

welooked not for] Were then unexpected, or beyond expectation.

mountains flowed down] Judg. V. 5. Psal. XLVII. 5. Deut. IV. 11. Exod. XIV. 3, 9. Hab. III. 3,—15.

Isaiah 64:4

For since the beginning of the world] This brought in, as in the person of Gods people, to intimate that they wanted not some good ground to solicite God to do for them, as they here desire, in their present distresse; because they knew him to be such a God, as was able to do, had done, and would do such things for his people that rested and rerelied upon him, as no humane eye, or eare had ever either seene, or heard, or any other God was ever known to have done, or was able to do, chap. LXVI. 8. The Apostle, 1 Cor. II. 9. seemeth to have made use of the Prophets words in this verse, applying them to his present discourse; as he doth those other of the Psalmist, XIX. 4. in that place of Rom. X. 18.

that waiteth for him] 1 Cor. II. 9. that love him. And those that wait for him, do love him.

Isaiah 64:5

For thou] A continuation of their commemoration of Gods dealings for, and with, his people in times past.

meetest] Or, didst meet, was wont to meet. As, Luke XV. 2c. Psal. XXI. 2, 3.

him that rejoyceth, and worketh righteousnesse] Him that rejoyceth to work righteousnesse, and delights in well-doing, Deut. XXVIII. 47. Psal. II. 11. and XXXVII. 4. and LXVIII. 3. and CXII. 1. and ch. LVIII 13.

in thy wayes] Of Providence; and of precepts and direction.

in those is continuance, and we shall be saved] In those thy wayes. Or, in our sinnes; and shall we be saved? interrogatively: importing the cleane contrary. Or, in those righteous works, and by their being with and among us, is our continuance, and meanes of being saved.

Isaiah 64:6

But we] And so none of us fit to intercede. We not like those; ver. 4, 5. Psal. CVI. 23. Those are now all gone, 7. Jer. V. 1. Mic. VII. 2. Psal. XII. 1.

our righteousnesses are as filthy rags] So noting out, not the defects and defilements, the inbred vitiosities of meere infirmities; in all the best works, even of the best, and in the best maner performed; But the vile and abominable practices which had so highly incensed the Lord against his people. And the most righteous among us, for all our outward semblances of holinesse and righteousnesse, are indeed no better then such, Micah VII. 4. 2. Sam. XXIII. 6. 7.

Isaiah 64:7

None] So few, as are drowned in the multitude.

Isaiah 64:8

hold of thee] To stay thee with us; or bring thee back unto us.

Isaiah 64:9

But now] A pathetical imploration of Gods favour and mercie.

thy people] thy peculiar people] Chap. LXIII. 19. Deut. V. 3. and XXIX. 10,—15.

Isaiah 64:11

Our holy and our beautiful house] Chap. LX. 7. and LVI. 7. and LXXXIV. 1, 2.

Burnt] 2 Kings XXV. 9. Lam I. 7, 10.

Isaiah 64:12

refraine thy self] Canst thou endure to see them, and be still, and suffer them?