Matthew Poole and continuators on Isaiah 64

1 O That thou would'st rent the heavens , that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence.

Either the earnest desire of the Prophet, or the Jews strong wish for the coming of the Messias: Or rather, their cry to God for vengeance upon their Adversaries, on consideration of the Enemies unmerciful dealing with them, and their insolent and opprobrious usage of God in his Temple; partly expressing their hast and earnestness, and partly intimating, that God would do it with violence and sury, implied in the word Renting them, Psal. 18. 6, 7, &c. spoken after the manner of man, who, if he were shut up, must have room made for his coming forth: This God is said to do, when he puts forth some signal manifestation of his Power, Psal. 144. 5. a Metaphor taken from men, that, when they would resolutely and effectually help one in distress, break, and fling open doors, and whatever may hinder coming to their relief.

Or, melt, Psal. 68. 1, 2. & 97. 5. Micah 1. 3, 4. that all impediments might be removed out of the way; possibly an allusion to God's coming down upon Mount Sinai in those terrible flames of fire, Iudg. 5. 4, 5.

Marginal references: Amos 9. 5. Micah 1. 4.

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.

Come with such Zeal for thy People, that the solid Mountains may be no more before thy breath, than Metal, that runs, or Water, that boils by the force of a vehement fire; and thus, for the most part, when God will take vengeance of his Enemies, the Scripture expresseth him coming with fire.

Thy Power known, that thine Enemies, and Persecu[illegible: 1+ letters]ors of thy Church may know thy Power, and that thy Name may be dreaded among them; his Name put for his Power, Psal. 106. 8.

Not the Babylonians onely, but the Nations round about.

Marginal references: Heb. the [illegible: 1 word] o[illegible: 1+ letters] [illegible: 1 word].

3 When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for , thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.

This may relate to what he did among the Egyptians, though it be not recorded, and afterward in the Wilderness.

viz. Our Forefathers, of whose Race we are, before we expected them; or, such things as we could never expect.

q. d. Seeing thou hast made the Mountains thus to melt, thou canst do the same again: This may allude either, 1. To those showers of Rain that fell with that terrible Thunder and Lightning, and so ran violently down those Mountains, and the adja[illegible: 1+ letters]nt, as is usual in such Tempests: Or rather, 2. The running along of the fire upon the ground, Exod. 9. 23, 24. It is possible it may allude to those Mountains, that do cast forth sulphoreous matter, running down into the Valleys and Sea, like melted streams of fire. And Kings, Princes, and Potentates, may also metaphorically be understood by these Mountains.

Marginal references: Exo. 34. 10. Judg. 5. 4, 5. Psal. 63. 8. Hab. 3. 3.

4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen , O God, besides thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

Whereas there are but three waies, whereby men ordinarily come to the knowledge of a thing, viz. by the Ear, either our own hearing, or by hear▪ [illegible: 1+ letters]ay; and by the Eye, and by Reason, which the Apostle add[illegible: 1+ letters], where he [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] this [illegible: 1 word], 1 [illegible: 1 word] 2. 9. two of them are mentioned [illegible: 1 word].

[illegible: 1 word] reference either to the Gods that do them, [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] God could do like thee: Or, to [illegible: 1 word] done [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word], could do such th[illegible: 1+ letters]s as were never [illegible: 1+ letters]een, [illegible: 1+ letters]r [illegible: 1 word] of, he [illegible: 1 word] to [illegible: 1 word] terrible things mentioned in the former [illegible: 1 word]. It seems to be clear by comparing this with D[illegible: 1+ letters]ut. 4. 31, 32, 33, 34, 35. [illegible: 1 word] to be [illegible: 1+ letters]estrained to these, but to be applied to all the wonderful works, that God at all times wrought for his People: And thus they are a Plea with God, that they might well [illegible: 1 word] such things from him now, that had done such wonderful things for their Fathers of old.

The Apostle hath it, that [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] ▪ 1 [illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1+ letters]. 9. T[illegible: 1+ letters] shew that none can wait on him, that [illegible: 1 word] him [illegible: 1 word]; s[illegible: 1+ letters] all that [illegible: 1 word] him will wait on him. This may be tak[illegible: 1+ letters]n with reference both to the state of Grace and Glory, those incom[illegible: 1+ letters]hensible things that are exhibited through Christ in the [illegible: 1 word] of [illegible: 1 word] Gospel, as well as the good things of this▪ [illegible: 1 word] life, which the Proph[illegible: 1+ letters] may here literally aim at, it being not unusual for the Prophets in mentioning these temporal things to point at spiritual, especially being things that do so well suit with each other.

Marginal references: Psal. 31. 19. 1 Cor. 2▪ 9.; Or, [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1+ letters] God b[illegible: 1+ letters]des thee▪ which doth so for him, &c.

5 Thou meetest him that rejoyceth, and worketh righteousness , those that remember thee in thy ways . behold, thou art wroth, for we have sinned : in tho[illegible: 1+ letters]e is continuance n, and we shall be saved .

Or, wast w[illegible: 1+ letters]t to meet: Or, thou preventest him ch. 65. 24. and Psal. 21. 2, 3. as the Father the Prodigal.

[illegible: 1+ letters]iz. That rejoyce to work Righteousness, the same thing expressed by two words, by a figure called Hendiadis.

An amplification of the former words, q. d. To walk in thy w[illegible: 1+ letters]s, whether of Providence, Prece[illegible: 1+ letters]t, or Counsel, by vertue of the Covenant they have with [illegible: 1 word].

Or, greatly angry, for, or because we have sinned, and provoked thee to wrath thereby, 1 King. 8. 46. i. e. to those that work Righteousness: in for to.

[illegible: 1+ letters]iz. In so doing, in working. Righteousness. Or as some by way of Interrogation; in those, i. e. In o[illegible: 1+ letters]r sins i[illegible: 1+ letters] continuance, and shall we be saved? Or in those viz. Works of Righteousness, in keeping in them is our continuance, and means to be saved; or thou continuest to shew mercy, and or therefore we shall be saved. The meaning of the place is to comfort the go[illegible: 1+ letters]y, that though they may have provoked God by their sins, [illegible: 1+ letters]et looking upon the ways of God's former proceedings (in which he still continues being unhcangeable) they may find hopes of Salv[illegible: 1+ letters]ion, and this is that which is amplified in the three following [illegible: 1 word].

Marginal references: Chap. 26. 8.

6 But we are all as an unclean thing , and all our righteousnesses are as filthy raggs , and we all do fade as a leaf , and our iniquities, as the wind, have taken us away .

he alludes, either to things unclean under the Ceremonial [illegible: 1+ letters]aw, wherein the Leprosy was found, and was to be burnt, Lev. 13. 55. or rather to Persons unclean. They compare their present state with the former. q. d. Formerly there were some that [illegible: 1+ letters]eared thee, and walked uprightly before thee, and were in thy s[illegible: 1+ letters]vour; but now we are all as one polluted mass, nothing of good le[illegible: 1+ letters]t in us by reason of an universal d[illegible: 1+ letters]generacy, Isa 1. 4. 6.

This according to the most Commentators, refers either to the observances of the [illegible: 1+ letters]ites, and Ceremonies of the Law, wherein they thought their Righteousnesses did much consist; or to the best work, and actions that can be performed by us; or to our natural, universal d[illegible: 1+ letters]pravities: but the best Interpre[illegible: 1+ letters]ers▪ and such as aim at the peculiar sense of the place, refer it to the gross provocations that this people were guilty of, causing God to cast them out of their habitations, or else, to their Persons. i. e. the most righteous among us, and being plural, it raiseth it up to the highest degree, the Scripture frequently putting the Abstract for the Concrete as wisdoms for the greatest wisdom, Prov. 9. 1. and many the like instances formerly given, so that the meaning is, the very best of us all are no better, then the uncleanest things or Persons, see Mich. 7. 2, 3, 4. and the rather because he lived about the time of Isaiah,

A cloath made up of [illegible: 1 word], or such as come from a putrid so[illegible: 1+ letters]e. or are defiled with the m[illegible: 1+ letters]nstruous blood of a woman, the LXX. as a rag of one that sits down, possibly alluding to Rachel. Gen. 31. 34▪ 35. or what ever may be most filthy.

Blown off the tree, and so withers▪

Carried [illegible: 1+ letters]s awa[illegible: 1+ letters] to Ba[illegible: 1+ letters]ylon from our habitations as leaves hurried away by a boisterous wind; our iniquities have been the pro[illegible: 1+ letters]uring cause.

Marginal references: P[illegible: 1+ letters] ▪ [illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1 word], [illegible: 1+ letters].

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 .

Or yet, there is none. i. [illegible: 1+ letters]. Few, Psa. 14. 3. they are not to be discerned among the multitude.

Such as call upon thee as they ought, [illegible: 1 word] Iacob▪ and Mo[illegible: 1+ letters]es, and David, &c. did, which often prevents the [illegible: 1 word] of a state, or kingdom, it points out the universal Apostacy of the [illegible: 1+ letters]ast times of the Jewish state, for which they were cut off.

Either to stay thee from departing from us, see L[illegible: 1+ letters]k. 24. 28, 29. or to fetch thee back, when departed, Ier. 12. 7. or it is an Allegorical allusion to one struck down and still smitten, but never stirs to lay hold on the arm, that smites him, ch. 27. 5. it notes their great s[illegible: 1+ letters]oathfulness, and carelesness▪ and some refer it to their lukewarmness, and dead heartedness relying upon their priviledges before they went into [illegible: 1 word], and so a [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] their approaching Judgments.

Or [illegible: 1 word] ▪ so the [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] ▪ Iob 5. 21. Psa. 75. 2.

Or m[illegible: 1+ letters]lted; our sins [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] fire of thy wrath, that we are melted with it.

[illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] of our iniquities. i. e. Either, in the place of our iniquities, the land wherein they were Committed, or, into the hands of our iniquities to be punished by them, and as it were [illegible: 1 word] ▪ or melted down, or our strength exhausted by them, as wax before the fire, Lev. 26. 39. Ezek. 33. 10. or, as we translate it, our iniquities being the procuring cause of it.

Marginal references: Hos. 7. 7.; Heb. [illegible: 1 word].

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 .

An argument, or pathetical plea for pity; or, notwithstanding all this thou art our Father both by Creation, and by Adoption, therefore pity us thy Children.

A Metonymy of the matter, clay for the vessels made of clay: Or, we are clay, pointing at our Original matter: Or, it may relate to their state, that God framed into a Body Civil and Ecclesiastical out of a confused multitude; they plead at the same time their own frailty, why they would be pitied, and God's Covenant-interest in them, why he should pity them

Another argument of the same nature with the former, Psal. 138. 8. not onely as men, but as a Body of men made thy peculiar People.

Marginal references: Ch. 29. 16. & 4[illegible: 1+ letters]. 9. [illegible: 1 word]. 1[illegible: 1+ letters]. 6. Rom. 9. 20, 21.

9 Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever : behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people .

viz. Thou hast been angry with us a long time▪ be not so for ever, but deal with us, as may best consist with a Father's bowels▪ It hath reference bo[illegible: 1+ letters]h [illegible: 1+ letters]o Quantity and Time, that it might not be very great, no[illegible: 1+ letters] of long durance. See on Psal. 79. 8.

Thy peculiar People, Chap. 63 19. Another argument to back the former Petition, Psal. 28. 9. Though we are very bad in our selves, and very badly handled by our Enemies, thou sufferest in our sufferings, for thou hast no people in Cov[illegible: 1+ letters]nant but us, and wilt thou no[illegible: 1+ letters] leave thy self a People in the world?

Marginal references: Psal. 79. 8.

10 Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation .

Either Sion, and [illegible: 1 word], being th[illegible: 1+ letters] Cities they instance in, q. d. Thy holy Cities, viz. S[illegible: 1+ letters]on, and [illegible: 1 word]: Or rather, other Cities also in the Land of [illegible: 1 word], besides those two, called H[illegible: 1+ letters]ly; Either, 1. Because they were built upon God's [illegible: 1+ letters]nheritance, Chap. 63 17. Or, 2. Because they were inhabited by the I[illegible: 1+ letters]ws, who were an holy People, Deu. 7. 6. Da[illegible: 1+ letters]. 12. 7. Or, 3. Because God had his Synagogues in them▪ Psal. 74. 8. For all which reasons also they are called Thy Cities.

Utterly wa[illegible: 1+ letters]t, not on[illegible: 1+ letters]ly the ordinary Cities, but even Ierus[illegible: 1+ letters]lem, and Sion themselves, the one called the upper [illegible: 1 word], or, the City of David, because it was built upon Mount Sion; the other the [illegible: 1 word] City, because it lay under the Hill of Sion in the Valley; he particularizeth Sion and [illegible: 1 word], though he had mentioned the other Cities before, because the chiefest of the Cities, it being usual notwithstanding the mentioning of generals, in which all the particulars, or individuals, are included to name the particular again; as, and from the [illegible: 1 word] of [illegible: 1 word], Psal. 18. title.

11 Our holy and our beautiful house , where our fathers praised thee, is burnt up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid wast.

The Temple, Ch[illegible: 1+ letters]p. 6[illegible: 1+ letters]. 7. q. a. Not onely our Cities, and our Principal Cities, but [illegible: 1 word] our [illegible: 1 word], which we thought sacred, and inviolable, in which we have glori[illegible: 1+ letters]d▪ because it was Thin[illegible: 1+ letters], and our Father's, and Ours, the place where thy holy service was performed, and thy Glory and Presence was [illegible: 1 word].

Not [illegible: 1 word] to mention themselves, they had be[illegible: 1+ letters]n so every way abominable, but their [illegible: 1 word].

The King's [illegible: 1 word], and the houses of the Nobles and other p[illegible: 1+ letters]ces of State and Magnificence, 2 King. 25. 9. Lam. 1. 7, 10. Or, their Sy[illegible: 1+ letters]agogues: Or, those stately pieces about the Temple.

12 Wilt thou refrain thy self for these things , O LORD? Wilt thou hold thy peace , and afflict us very sore ?

viz That are done by the [illegible: 1 word], do none of these things move thee to take venge[illegible: 1+ letters]nce on them?

Wilt thou be as one that regards not? Wilt thou be still and suffer them?

See vers. 9. For these our sins, or for these our sufferings, shall we feel the smart of it, that have done no such things? but have been sufferers under the Babylonians, to which God answers in the next Chapter.