Isaiah 63

1marching in his great strength?

2Why are your clothes so red,as if you have been treading out grapes?

3“I have been treading the winepress alone;no one was there to help me.In my anger I have trampled my enemiesas if they were grapes.In my fury I have trampled my foes.Their blood has stained my clothes.

4For the time has come for me to avenge my people,to ransom them from their oppressors.

5I was amazed to see that no one intervenedto help the oppressed.So I myself stepped in to save them with my strong arm,and my wrath sustained me.

6I crushed the nations in my angerand made them stagger and fall to the ground,spilling their blood upon the earth.”

Praise for Deliverance

7[will tell of the LORD’s unfailing love.Iwill praise the LORD for all he has done.Iwill rejoice in his great goodness to Israel,which he has granted according to his mercy and love.

8He said, “They are my very own people.Surely they will not betray me again.”And he became their Savior.

9Inall their suffering he also suffered,and he personally* rescued them.Inhis love and mercy he redeemed them.He lifted them up and carried themthrough all the years.

10But they rebelled against himand grieved his Holy Spirit.So he became their enemyand fought against them.

11Then they remembered those days of oldwhen Moses led his people out of Egypt.They cried out, “Where is the one who brought Israel through the sea,with Moses as their shepherd?Where is the one who sent his Holy Spiritto be among his people?

12Where is the one whose power was displayedwhen Moses lifted up his hand—the one who divided the sea before them,making himself famous forever?

13Where is the one who led them through the bottom of the sea?They were like fine stallionsracing through the desert, never stumbling.

14As with cattle going down into a peaceful valley,the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest.You led your people, LORD,and gained a magnificent reputation.”

Prayer for Mercy and Pardon

1515 LORD, look down from heaven;look from your holy, glorious home, and see us.Where is the passion and the mightyou used to show on our behalf?Where are your mercy and compassion now?

16Surely you are still our Father!Even if Abraham and Jacob* would disown us,LORD, you would still be our Father.You are our Redeemer from ages past.

17LORD, why have you allowed us to turn from your path?Why have you given us stubborn hearts so we no longer fear you?Return and help us, for we are your servants,the tribes that are your special possession.

18How briefly your holy people possessed your holy place,and now our enemies have destroyed it.

19Sometimes it seems as though we never belonged to you,as though we had never been known as your people.

6 4 1*Oh, that you would burst from the heavens and come down!How the mountains would quake in your presence!2* As fire causes wood to burnand water to boil,your coming would make the nations tremble.