Isaiah 63

The Lord Comes in Judgment

1 Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with bright red clothes. This One dressed in glory, walking with powerful strength, “It is Me, speaking in righteousness, powerful to save.”

2 Why are Your clothes so red, like Someone who has been stomping grapes,

3 “I stomped the winepress alone; no one from the nations was with Me. I crushed them in My anger and trampled them in My fury. Their blood splattered My clothes and stained all My garments.”

4 “For the day of vengeance was in My heart, and the year to redeem My people had come.”

5 “I looked, but there was no one to help. I was shocked, no one supported Me. So My own arm brought salvation, and My wrath sustained Me.”

6 “I crushed the nations in My anger, made them drunk with My wrath, and poured out their blood on the ground.”

The Lord’s Kindness Remembered

7 I will remember the Lord’s mercy, the Lord’s praises, the great things He has done for us. His goodness to Israel, his compassion and faithful love.

8 He said, “Surely they are My people, children who will not betray Me.” So He became their Savior.

9 In all their suffering, He suffered with them. The Angel of His presence rescued them. In His love and compassion, He redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Israel Rebels

10 But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned against them and became their enemy. He fought against them.

11 Then they remembered the days of old. Moses and his people: “Where is the One who brought them up from the sea with the shepherds of His flock, where is the One who put His Holy Spirit among them?”

12 The One who led Moses by the right hand with His glorious power, who split the waters before them to make for Himself an everlasting name,

13 Who led them through the depths like a horse in open country so they would not stumble,

14 Like cattle going down into the valley, the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest. In the same way, You led Your people to make Yourself a glorious name.

A Desperate Prayer

15 Look down from heaven and see from Your holy and glorious home. Where is Your zeal and power, your deep compassion is being held back from us.

16 For You are our Father. Even if Abraham does not know us and Israel does not recognize us. You, Lord, are our Father; our Redeemer from ancient times is Your name.

17 Lord, why do You let us stray from Your ways, why let our hearts get hard so we do not fear You, return for the sake of Your servants. The tribes that belong to You.

18 For a short time your holy people possessed the land, but our enemies trampled Your sanctuary.

19 We have become like those you never ruled over, like people who were not called by Your name.