Isaiah 64:1

ISAIAH CHAPTER 64 The church's prayer continued, for the illustration of God's glory, Isaiah 64:1: with a confession of their sins, and complaint of their afflictions, Isaiah 64:6. Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens: either the earnest desire of the prophet, or the Jews strong wish, for the coming of the Messias: or rather, their cry to God for vengeance upon their adversaries, on consideration of the enemy's unmerciful dealing with them, and their insolent and opprobrious usage of God in his temple; partly expressing their haste and earnestness, and partly intimating that God would do it with violence and fury, implied in the word rending them, Psalms 18:6,7, &c., spoken after the manner of man, who, if he were shut up, must have room made for his coming forth. This God is said to do, when he puts forth some signal manifestation of his power, Psalms 144:5; a metaphor taken from men, that when they would resolutely and effectually help one in distress, break and fling open doors, and whatever may hinder coming to their relief. That the mountains might flow down; or melt, Psalms 68:1,2 Psalms 97:5 Micah 1:3,4; that all impediments might be removed out of the way: possibly an allusion to God's coming down upon Mount Sinai in those terrible flames of fire, Judges 5:4,5.