64:1¹ If only you would tear apart the sky and come down!
The mountains would tremble² before you!
64:2 As when fire ignites dry wood,
or fire makes water boil,
let your adversaries know who you are,³
and may the nations shake at your presence!
64:3 When you performed awesome deeds that took us by surprise,⁴
you came down and the mountains trembled⁵ before you.
64:4 Since ancient times no one has heard or perceived,⁶
no eye has seen any God besides you,
who intervenes for those who wait for him.
64:5 You assist⁷ those who delight in doing what is right,⁸
who observe your commandments.⁹
Look, you were angry because we violated them
continually and were evil.¹⁰
64:6 We are all like one who is unclean,
all our so-called “right acts” are like a menstrual rag in your sight.¹¹
We all wither like a leaf,
our sins carry us away like the wind.
64:7 No one invokes¹² your name,
or makes an effort¹³ to take hold of you.
For you have rejected us,¹⁴
and handed us over to our own sins.¹⁵
64:8 Yet¹⁶ LORD, you are our father.
We are the clay, and your are our potter,
we are all the product of your labor.¹⁷
64:9 LORD, do not be too angry!
Do not hold our sins against us continually!¹⁸
Take a good look at your people, at all of us!¹⁹
64:10 Your chosen²⁰ cities have become a desert;
Zion has become a desert,
Jerusalem is a desolate ruin.
64:11 Our holy temple, our pride and joy,²¹
the place where our ancestors praised you,
has been burned with fire;
all our prized possessions have been destroyed.²²
64:12 In light of all this,²³ how can you still hold back, LORD?
How can you be silent and continue to humiliate us?