Isaiah 63:7-16

Common English Bible

Prayer of yearning

⁷I will recount the Lord’s faithful acts;
    I will sing the Lord’s praises,
    because of all the Lord did for us,
    for God’s great favor toward the house of Israel.
    God treated them compassionately
    and with deep affection.
⁸God said, “Truly, they are my people,
    children who won’t do what is wrong.”
    God became their savior.
⁹During all their distress, God also was distressed,
    so a messenger who served him saved them.
In love and mercy God redeemed them,
    lifting and carrying them throughout earlier times.
¹⁰But they rebelled,
    and made God’s holy spirit terribly sad,
    so that he turned into their enemy—
    he fought against them!

¹¹Then they remembered earlier times,
    when he rescued his people.^[a]
Where was the one who drew them up from the sea,
    the shepherd^[b] of the flock?
Where was the one who put within them his holy spirit;
¹²    the one who guided Moses’ strong hand
    with his glorious arm;
    who split the water for them
    to create an enduring reputation for himself,
¹³    and who guided them through the depths?
    Like a horse in the desert, they didn’t stumble.
¹⁴Like cattle descending to the valley,
    the Lord’s spirit brought them to rest.
In this way you led your people
    and made for yourself a glorious reputation.

¹⁵Look down from heaven and see,
    from your holy and glorious perch.
Where are your energy and your might,
    your concern and your pity?
    Don’t hold back!^[c]
¹⁶You are surely our father,
    even though Abraham doesn’t know us,
    and Israel doesn’t recognize us.
You, Lord, are our father;
    your reputation since long ago is that of our redeemer.