Isaiah 63

1 dyed. Rather, “crimsoned” (R.V. marg.).

2 wine-fat. Or, “wine-vat,” into which the grapes were put to be trodden with the feet, whilst the juice flowed off into a reservoir. A person so employed would naturally be splashed with the red juice, and thus resemble one who was covered with blood.

3 alone. As the Messiah is here taking “vengeance” on His foes, and “their blood,” not His own, is “sprinkled on His garments,” this passage cannot refer, as sometimes understood, to His bearing alone the guilt of man, in which He could not have expected any human help.

6 and make them drunk, etc. i.e., made them drink to the full the cup of wrath.

7. This verse begins a new section, in which the prophet breaks out into thanksgiving and prayer. In Luther’s version it begins the sixty-fourth chapter.

8. Children [that] will not lie. Rather, “Children that will not be false to Me.”

9 the angel of His presence. See note on Gen. xvi. 7; and comp. Exod. iii. 21 with xiv. 19.

He bare them. See note on xl. 11.

10 vexed His holy Spirit. See Exod. xxiii. 20, 21; Psa. lxxviii. 17, 40; cvi. 43; 1 Cor. x. 9.

11. Then he remembered the days of old. The word “he” refers to Israel, who remembers the past, and uses it as a plea for renewed mercy: see li. 9, 10.

12. That led [them] by the right hand of Moses, etc. Rather, as R.V., “That caused His glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses,” ready to uphold him.

14 a beast. Rather, “cattle.” This comparison appears to be drawn from the custom of cattle descending from their summer pastures in the mountain to their permanent home in the valley. The passage refers to the end rather than the course of God’s leadings. He brought them into valleys with green pastures and still waters; i.e., into the “rest” of Canaan.

15. The sounding (“yearning,” R.V.) of Thy bowels. That is, “Where is Thy former pity for Thy people in their distress?” In Hebrew phraseology the “bowels” are spoken of as the seat of the tender emotions. We should say, “the longing of Thy heart.”

16. Doubtless. Or, “For” (R.V.). The plea is, the Fatherhood of God.

17. Why hast Thou made us to err from Thy ways? See note on Exod. iv. 21. It cannot be supposed that God exerts any positive influence to harden the hearts of men; but He may, because of their wickedness, withhold from them His grace, and leave them to pursue their own ways. Israel pleads that it has been put into such a position.