Isaiah 64:1 kjv
Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,
Isaiah 64:1 nkjv
Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down! That the mountains might shake at Your presence?
Isaiah 64:1 niv
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you!
Isaiah 64:1 esv
Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence ?
Isaiah 64:1 nlt
Oh, that you would burst from the heavens and come down!
How the mountains would quake in your presence!
Isaiah 64 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 64:1 | "Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that mountains might tremble before you!" | Isa 64:1 |
| Psalm 18:9 | "He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet." | Ps 18:9 (God's powerful descent) |
| Psalm 144:5 | "Bow the heavens, O LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, and they will smoke!" | Ps 144:5 (Similar plea) |
| 2 Samuel 22:10 | "He bowed the heavens and came down; deep darkness was under his feet." | 2 Sam 22:10 (Parallel account) |
| Exodus 19:16, 18 | "On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain..." | Ex 19:16, 18 (God's descent on Sinai) |
| Psalm 97:4-5 | "His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth." | Ps 97:4-5 (God's powerful manifestation) |
| Habakkuk 3:3, 6 | "God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. ... He stood and bore the earth; he looked and made the nations tremble. Eternal mountains were scattered; the everlasting hills sank low..." | Hab 3:3, 6 (God's awesome appearance) |
| Psalm 77:16-18 | "When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; the very deep trembled. ... The clouds poured out water; the vapors sent out a sound; your arrows flashed here and there. The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind; the lightnings lit up the world..." | Ps 77:16-18 (Recalling God's past power) |
| Revelation 11:19 | "Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail." | Rev 11:19 (Heavenly manifestation) |
| Revelation 16:18 | "Then there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake, such as there has never been since the race of man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake." | Rev 16:18 (Earthly earthquake during judgment) |
| John 1:14 | "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." | John 1:14 (God dwelling among men) |
| Acts 2:1-4 | "When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there was a sound from heaven like a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were sitting. And appeared to them as divided tongues, as of fire..." | Acts 2:1-4 (The coming of the Holy Spirit) |
| Romans 1:19-20 | "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made." | Rom 1:19-20 (God's power seen in creation) |
| Romans 11:33-34 | "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" | Rom 11:33-34 (Awe at God's sovereignty) |
| Matthew 7:7 | "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." | Matt 7:7 (Encouragement to ask God) |
| Jeremiah 3:22 | "Return, O faithless children, I will heal your faithlessness. 'We will gladly come to you, for you are the LORD our God.'" | Jer 3:22 (Call for return) |
| Deuteronomy 30:3 | "then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and he will gather you again from among the peoples..." | Deut 30:3 (Promise of restoration) |
| Psalm 5:7 | "But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house; at your temple I will bow down in awe of you." | Ps 5:7 (Entering God's presence) |
| Nehemiah 1:3, 5 | "...I weep and mourn for days, and I continue fasting and praying before the LORD, my God. ... 'O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love..." | Neh 1:3, 5 (Confession and petition) |
| Zephaniah 1:7, 14-16 | "Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is near... The great day of the LORD is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the LORD is bitter, when the warrior cries aloud. A day of wrath is this day, a day of trouble and distress, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet blast and battle cry..." | Zeph 1:7, 14-16 (Day of the Lord imagery) |
Isaiah 64 verses
Isaiah 64 1 Meaning
This verse expresses a longing for God to manifest His powerful presence and intervention. It's a plea for God to reveal Himself as He did in the past, demonstrating His sovereignty and might to all nations.
Isaiah 64 1 Context
This chapter is a lament and prayer of the people of God. It follows a series of pronouncements of judgment against Israel due to their sin and unfaithfulness. The prophet, acting as a representative of the people, is acknowledging their sinfulness and the consequent suffering they have endured. They recognize that God has hidden His face from them because of their transgressions. This verse, Isaiah 64:1, is the beginning of a desperate plea for God to intervene powerfully, as He had done in the past. The historical context is one where the nation of Israel is in distress, likely reflecting a period after exile or during a time of national crisis, yearning for God's evident presence and deliverance. The reference to mountains trembling recalls God’s awesome displays of power, particularly at Mount Sinai.
Isaiah 64 1 Word analysis
- Oh, that (
lū-lāh(לוּ־לָהּ)): This is an interjection expressing a strong wish or desire. It conveys a deep yearning and a sigh of longing. - you (
’attâhy(אַתָּה)): Refers directly to God. - would rend (
tiftæḥ(תִּפְתַּח)): The root ispātaḥ(פָּתַח), meaning to open. In this context, it signifies a violent opening, like tearing apart. - the heavens (
haš-šāmáyim(הַשָּׁמַיִם)): Refers to the sky, the dwelling place of God. The plural form is common in Hebrew for heavens. - and come down (
wə-têrêd(וְתֵרֵד)): Meaning to descend or go down. It implies a tangible, visible descent of God’s presence. - that (
mi-lə-pānêyka(מִלְּפָנֶיךָ)): Literally "from before you." This phrase emphasizes that the trembling of the mountains is a direct result of God’s proximity or presence. - mountains (
hārîm(הָרִים)): Refers to the high places of the earth. - might tremble (
yîrrâḏû(יִרְעֲדוּ)): From the rootrâ‘aḏ(רָעַד), meaning to tremble, shake, or quake. It suggests an involuntary reaction of fear or awe in the face of God's power.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down": This is a powerful expression of a desperate need for God's active intervention. The people aren't just asking for God to hear them; they want a dramatic, awe-inspiring manifestation of His presence and power. It recalls the fearsome glory displayed at Mount Sinai, where the very mountain shook under God's presence (Exodus 19:18). This is a plea for God to break through the separation caused by sin and to visibly show His might.
- "that mountains might tremble before you!": This clause emphasizes the immense power and majesty of God. The mountains, often symbols of strength and permanence, are depicted as reacting with trembling in His presence. It underscores that nothing in creation can stand unmoved before the sovereign God. This is a recognition of God's absolute authority over all things.
Isaiah 64 1 Bonus section
This verse speaks to the doctrine of God's sovereignty and His intimate involvement in His creation. The imagery of God "coming down" also foreshadows the incarnation, where God Himself descended into humanity in the person of Jesus Christ, becoming flesh and dwelling among us (John 1:14). The shattering of the heavens and the trembling of mountains are echoes of God's dramatic manifestations throughout salvation history, demonstrating His holiness and power, which instills awe and reverence. It serves as a reminder that God's ultimate desire is for relationship and for His glory to be made known throughout the earth. The call for God to rend the heavens is echoed in Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane when He said, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done!" (Luke 22:42). While Isaiah's prayer is a plea for God's presence in judgment and salvation for Israel, it reflects the larger theme of God’s desire to overcome the separation caused by sin and to establish His kingdom.
Isaiah 64 1 Commentary
Isaiah 64:1 is a profound cry of desperation from a people experiencing the consequences of sin and distance from God. The prophet uses vivid imagery of a cosmic disturbance – the heavens being torn open and mountains trembling – to articulate the desperate need for God's powerful, tangible intervention. It's not just a theological longing but an emotional plea for a demonstration of divine power that will both deliver them and confirm His supremacy to all nations. This verse reflects a fundamental truth about the human condition: an innate yearning for God’s manifest presence in times of distress and a recognition of His supreme, awe-inspiring authority. It anticipates a future where God's power will be overtly displayed, culminating in His kingdom.
- Practical Usage Example: In personal prayer, this verse can inspire a plea for God to powerfully break through personal challenges or spiritual dryness, to make His presence deeply felt. It encourages believers to ask God for His strong hand to be seen in their lives and circumstances, reminding them that God is capable of causing even the greatest obstacles to "tremble."