1Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendour, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? ‘It is I, proclaiming victory, mighty to save.’2Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress?3‘I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no-one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing.4It was for me the day of vengeance; the year for me to redeem had come.5I looked, but there was no-one to help, I was appalled that no-one gave support; so my own arm achieved salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me.6I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground.’
Praise and prayer
7I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us – yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.8He said, ‘Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me’; and so he became their Saviour.9In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them.[1] In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.10Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.11Then his people recalled[2] the days of old, the days of Moses and his people – where is he who brought them through the sea, with the shepherd of his flock? Where is he who set his Holy Spirit among them,12who sent his glorious arm of power to be at Moses’ right hand, who divided the waters before them, to gain for himself everlasting renown,13who led them through the depths? Like a horse in open country, they did not stumble;14like cattle that go down to the plain, they were given rest by the Spirit of the Lord. This is how you guided your people to make for yourself a glorious name.15Look down from heaven and see, from your lofty throne, holy and glorious. Where are your zeal and your might? Your tenderness and compassion are withheld from us.16But you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us; you, Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.17Why, Lord, do you make us wander from your ways and harden our hearts so we do not revere you? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes that are your inheritance.18For a little while your people possessed your holy place, but now our enemies have trampled down your sanctuary.19We are yours from of old; but you have not ruled over them, they have not been called[3] by your name.
Isaiah 63
English Standard Version
The Lord’s Day of Vengeance
1Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.” (Ps 68:7; Isa 34:6)2Why is your apparel red, and your garments like his who treads in the winepress? (La 1:15; Re 14:20; Re 19:13; Re 19:15)3“I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with me; I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their lifeblood[1] spattered on my garments, and stained all my apparel. (Isa 59:16; Joe 3:13)4For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and my year of redemption[2] had come. (Isa 34:8)5I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled, but there was no one to uphold; so my own arm brought me salvation, and my wrath upheld me. (Isa 59:16)6I trampled down the peoples in my anger; I made them drunk in my wrath, and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.” (Isa 49:26)
The Lord’s Mercy Remembered
7I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. (Ps 145:7)8For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely.” And he became their Savior.9In all their affliction he was afflicted,[3] and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. (De 7:7; De 32:10; Jud 10:16; Eze 16:5)10But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them. (Ex 15:24; Nu 14:11; Ps 78:17; Ps 78:40; Ps 78:56; Ps 95:9; Eze 20:8; Ac 7:51; Eph 4:30)11Then he remembered the days of old, of Moses and his people.[4] Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put in the midst of them his Holy Spirit, (Ex 14:19; Ps 77:11)12who caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to make for himself an everlasting name, (Ex 14:21; Jos 3:16; 2Sa 7:23; Ne 9:10)13who led them through the depths? Like a horse in the desert, they did not stumble.14Like livestock that go down into the valley, the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest. So you led your people, to make for yourself a glorious name. (Nu 10:33; Isa 63:12)
Prayer for Mercy
15Look down from heaven and see, from your holy and beautiful[5] habitation. Where are your zeal and your might? The stirring of your inner parts and your compassion are held back from me. (De 26:15; Ps 33:14; Isa 59:17; Zec 1:14)16For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name. (De 32:6; Isa 43:14; Isa 64:8)17O Lord, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our heart, so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage. (Ps 90:13; Isa 6:10; Joh 12:40)18Your holy people held possession for a little while;[6] our adversaries have trampled down your sanctuary. (De 4:25; Isa 64:11)19We have become like those over whom you have never ruled, like those who are not called by your name. (Jer 14:8)