Isaiah 64:5
Thou meetest him that reioyceth, and worketh righteousnesse, those that remember thee in thy wayes: behold, thou art wroth, for we haue sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saued. Isaiah 64:5 (KJV)
Isaiah 64 belongs to the latter lament section of the Book of Isaiah, where the prophet cries out to God on behalf of a people aware of their sin and yearning for divine intervention. The opening quotation emphasizes two vital aspects of the believer’s life: rejoicing in the Lord and working righteousness. It declares that God meets those who find joy in Him and who live according to His righteous ways, suggesting a divine reward for such devotion.
The passage also stresses the importance of remembering God in all of one’s ways. To keep God at the forefront of the mind, to meditate on His character, and to walk in obedience to His commandments is presented as an expression of love and reverence toward Him. In acknowledging that God can be wroth because of sin, the text admits the people’s failure to meet God’s standards. Recognizing sin is portrayed as a necessary step toward repentance and seeking forgiveness.
Despite the presence of sin and divine wrath, the quotation offers hope. It speaks of “continuance” and the assurance that “we shall be saved,” indicating that salvation remains possible even amid transgression. The hope rests on God’s desire for the people to turn back, repent, and receive His grace.
It is noted, however, that the quoted wording does not appear verbatim in the King James Version of Isaiah 64:5. The KJV reads, “Do thou work a sign among us, that we may see, and hear, and perceive the thine own workmanship.” The chapter’s actual focus is a plea for a visible sign of God’s presence, a recognition of collective sin, and a longing for restoration, rather than the specific themes of rejoicing, righteousness, and guaranteed salvation presented in the opening quotation. Both perspectives highlight the deep awareness of sin and the earnest desire for God’s mercy that characterize this lament.
In summary, the study underscores the biblical call to rejoice, pursue righteousness, and remember God continually, while also confronting the reality of divine wrath and the need for repentance. Whether viewed through the lens of the quoted passage or the authentic KJV text, Isaiah 64 invites believers to seek God’s visible work, to acknowledge their shortcomings, and to trust in the promise of restoration and salvation through His gracious intervention.
