A prayer for mercy after judgment

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?

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Israel remembers the Lord’s saving acts, confesses its sin, and asks God to return in mercy. The people appeal to his fatherly care, his power, and his name, because their land, city, and temple lie in ruin.

This prayer begins by remembering what the Lord had done for Israel. He had shown compassion, led his people, and carried them like a father carries his children. But Israel rebelled and grieved his holy Spirit. So the people now look back with sorrow and ask the Lord to act again.

They do not claim they deserve help. They ask because God is their Father, their Maker, and their King. They ask him to look down from heaven and return for the sake of his servants. They also admit that God’s judgment has fallen on them. Their city is ruined, and the temple has been burned.

The prayer becomes even more urgent in chapter 64. The people cry out for God to tear open the heavens and come down in power. They remember that no God is like him, and that he helps those who wait for him. At the same time, they confess that their sins are many and that even their righteous acts are unclean before him. They cannot save themselves.

So the prayer ends where it should: with humility, repentance, and hope in God’s mercy. He is the potter, and his people are the clay. He has judged them, but he can also reshape and restore them.

• God is faithful and compassionate.
• God’s people had rebelled and sinned against him.
• Judgment on sin is real and serious.
• The people cannot appeal to their own righteousness.
• God is Father, Maker, and Potter, so he can restore what he has judged.

• Do not treat sin lightly.
• Do not trust outward righteousness as a way to earn God’s favor.
• Confess sin honestly.
• Appeal to God’s mercy rather than personal merit.
• Hope in God’s power to restore his people.

The prayer stands in Israel’s covenant history. It recalls the exodus, wilderness care, rebellion, and judgment. It also looks ahead to the Lord acting again for his people, because restoration must come from his mercy, not from Israel’s merit.

When God’s people are in trouble, this passage teaches them how to pray: remember his past mercy, confess sin plainly, and ask for mercy on the basis of his character. It also warns that corporate sin matters and that God may discipline his people severely. Yet discipline is not the last word, because the Lord can still restore.

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