Israel’s Prayer

15 Look down from heaven and see(A)
from your lofty home—holy and beautiful.
Where is your zeal and your might?
Your yearning[a] and your compassion
are withheld from me.
16 Yet you are our Father,
even though Abraham does not know us
and Israel doesn’t recognize us.
You, Lord, are our Father;
your name is Our Redeemer(B)
from Ancient Times.
17 Why, Lord, do you make us stray from your ways?
You harden our hearts so we do not fear[b] you.(C)
Return, because of your servants,
the tribes of your heritage.
18 Your holy people had a possession[c]
for a little while,
but our enemies have trampled down
your sanctuary.(D)
19 We have become like those you never ruled,
like those who did not bear your name.(E)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 63:15 Lit The agitation of your inward parts
  2. 63:17 Lit our heart from fearing
  3. 63:18 Or Your people possessed your holy place

A Prayer of Penitence

15 Look down from heaven and see,
    from your holy and glorious habitation.
Where are your zeal and your might?
    Your great pity and your compassion are withheld from me.(A)
16 For 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.(B)
17 Why, O Lord, do you let us stray from your ways
    and let our heart harden, so that we do not fear you?
Turn back for the sake of your servants,
    the tribes that are your heritage.(C)
18 Your holy people took possession for a little while,
    but now our adversaries have trampled down your sanctuary.(D)
19 We have long been like those whom you do not rule,
    like those not called by your name.(E)

Read full chapter