Bible Glide

Isaiah 64

Isaiah 64 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Isaiah 64 is a heartfelt prayer from a broken people asking God to act, show mercy, and remember His covenant care. It moves from longing for God's power to honest confession of sin and sorrow over destroyed holy places. The chapter holds together awe, repentance, and hope.

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What happens in Isaiah 64?

The chapter begins with a plea for God to tear open the heavens and reveal His power in unmistakable ways. It remembers that no one is like the LORD, who works for those who wait for Him. The prayer then turns to confession: the people admit their sin, uncleanness, and inability to save themselves. They appeal to God as Father and Potter, asking Him not to remain angry forever. The chapter closes with grief over the ruined cities and temple, and a final question asking whether God will still act.

Isaiah 64 follows a larger prayer for mercy that began in the previous chapter and continues the voice of a suffering community. It comes late in the book, where judgment, exile, and hope for restoration stand side by side. The chapter gathers the people's confession and their appeal for God to remember them as His own.

Themes to notice

  • God's powerThe prayer asks for a clear display of God's presence and strength among the nations.
  • ConfessionThe people admit their sin, uncleanness, and need for mercy instead of self-righteousness.
  • Father and potterIsrael appeals to God as the one who shapes, corrects, and restores His people.

Questions for Isaiah 64

  • What does this prayer reveal about how the people understand God's power and presence?
  • Why does the chapter move from awe to confession before asking for restoration?
  • What does it mean for the people to call God Father and Potter in this situation?

Read the full text of Isaiah 64 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Isaiah 64

A Prayer for God’s Power

1If only You would rend the heavens and come down,

so that mountains would quake at Your presence,

2as fire kindles the brushwood

and causes the water to boil,

to make Your name known to Your enemies,

so that the nations will tremble at Your presence!

3When You did awesome works that we did not expect,

You came down, and the mountains trembled at Your presence.

4From ancient times no one has heard,

no ear has perceived,

no eye has seen any God besides You,

who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.

5You welcome those who gladly do right,

who remember Your ways.

Surely You were angry, for we sinned.

How can we be saved if we remain in our sins?

6Each of us has become like something unclean,

and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;

we all wither like a leaf,

and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.

7No one calls on Your name

or strives to take hold of You.

For You have hidden Your face from us

and delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.

8But now, O LORD, You are our Father;

we are the clay, and You are the potter;

we are all the work of Your hand.

9Do not be angry, O LORD, beyond measure;

do not remember our iniquity forever.

Oh, look upon us, we pray;

we are all Your people!

10Your holy cities have become a wilderness.

Zion has become a wasteland and Jerusalem a desolation.

11Our holy and beautiful temple,

where our fathers praised You,

has been burned with fire,

and all that was dear to us lies in ruins.

12After all this, O LORD,

will You restrain Yourself?

Will You keep silent

and afflict us beyond measure?

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