We all are the work of thy hand] Three MSS. (two of them ancient) and the Septuagint read h�[m maaseh, the work, without the conjunction w vau prefixed. And for �dy yadecha, thy hand, the Bodleian, and two others MSS., the Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate read �ydy yadeycha, thy hands, in the plural number. - L.

Is. 64:1-5 They desire that God would manifest himself to them and for them, so that all may see it. This is applicable to the second comin of Christ, when the Lord himself shall descend from heaven. They plea what God had used to do, and had declared his gracious purpose to do for his people. They need not fear being disappointed of it, for it is sure; or disappointed in it, for it is sufficient. The happiness of his people is bound up in what God has designed for them, and is preparin for them, and preparing them for; what he has done or will do. Can we believe this, and then think any thing too great to expect from his truth, power, and love? It is spiritual and cannot be comprehended by human understanding. It is ever ready. See what communion there is between a gracious God and a gracious soul. We must make conscience of doing our duty in every thing the Lord our God requires. Thou meetes him; this speaks his freeness and forwardness in doing them good Though God has been angry with us for our sins, and justly, yet his anger has soon ended; but in his favour is life, which goes on an continues, and on that we depend for our salvation.

Is. 64:6-12 The people of God, in affliction, confess and bewail their sins, owning themselves unworthy of his mercy. Sin is that abominabl thing which the Lord hates. Our deeds, whatever they may seem to be, i we think to merit by them at God's hand, are as rags, and will no cover us; filthy rags, and will but defile us. Even our few good work in which there is real excellence, as fruits of the Spirit, are s defective and defiled as done by us, that they need to be washed in the fountain open for sin and uncleanness. It bodes ill when prayer is kep back. To pray, is by faith to take hold of the promises the Lord ha made of his good-will to us, and to plead them; to take hold of him earnestly begging him not to leave us; or soliciting his return. The brought their troubles upon themselves by their own folly. Sinners ar blasted, and then carried away, by the wind of their own iniquity; i withers and then ruins them. When they made themselves as an unclea thing, no wonder that God loathed them. Foolish and careless as we are poor and despised, yet still Thou art our Father. It is the wrath of Father we are under, who will be reconciled; and the relief our cas requires is expected only from him. They refer themselves to God. The do not say, "Lord, rebuke us not," for that may be necessary; but, "No in thy displeasure." They state their lamentable condition. See what ruin sin brings upon a people; and an outward profession of holines will be no defence against it. God's people presume not to tell his what he shall say, but their prayer is, Speak for the comfort an relief of thy people. How few call upon the Lord with their whol hearts, or stir themselves to lay hold upon him! God may delay for time to answer our prayers, but he will, in the end, answer those wh call on his name and hope in his mercy __________________________________________________________________

Original Hebrew