1.
Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,
Oh, &c. Figure of speech Euche. Isaiah 6 4 is joined to Isaiah 6 3 by the Massoretic pointing.
flow down = quake. The reference is to Sinai in these verses. Compare Psalms 68:7 , Psalms 68:8 . Judges 5:4 , Judges 5:5 .
2.
As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!
melting. The Hebrew word occurs only here, and is plural.
Thy name. See note on Psalms 20:1 .
3.
When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.
When Thou didst terrible things. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 34:10 , same word).
4.
For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
since the beginning of the world = from of old.
men have not heard. Quoted in 1 Corinthians 2:9 . Compare Psa 3:19 .
nor. So, some codices, with two early printed editions, Syriac, and Vulgate. But others read "have not perceived".
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
hath prepared = could work, or will do.
him that waiteth = the man who waited.
5.
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.
Thou meetest him = Thou didst meet him. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 32:1 ). App-92 .
that rejoiceth = who was rejoicing, &c.
art wroth = wert, or wast wroth.
sinned. Hebrew. chata . App-44 .
those is continuance = those [ways of Thine] is continuance. Same word as "since the beginning" in Isaiah 64:4 . Compare Isaiah 63:9 , Isaiah 63:11 , Isaiah 63:16 , Isaiah 63:19 .
6.
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
7.
And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.
hast hid = hadst hidden. Compare Isaiah 45:15 ; Isaiah 53:3 ; Isaiah 54:8 ; Isaiah 57:17 ; Isaiah 59:2 . Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 31:17 , Deuteronomy 31:18 , Deuteronomy 31:20 ). App-92 .
8.
But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
now. A special various reading, called Sevir ( App-34 ), with some codices, two early printed editions, and Aramaean, read "Thou".
Thou art our Father. See note on Isaiah 63:16 .
hand. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "hands" (plural)
9.
Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.
Be not, &c. Continue not to be, &c.
remember = continue not to remember.
10.
Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.
holy. See note on Exodus 3:6 .
desolation . Referring to the time of Matthew 23:38 ; Matthew 24:2 .
11.
Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste.
praised. See note on "shall not", &c. (Isaiah 13:10 ).
is burned up with fire. This prayer is proleptic; and is said now by anticipation of the then (and now still future) day of Israel's repentance and return to Jehovah.
pleasant things = goodly places, or vessels. Same word as in 2 Chronicles 36:19 .
12.
Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O LORD? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?
refrain Thyself: i.e. refuse to give way in compassion, &c. Compare Genesis 43:1 ; Genesis 45:1 .Genesis 42:14 ; Gen 63:15 .