Isaiah 63

Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? Who is this who is glorious in his clothing, marching in the greatness of his strength? “It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”

Why is your clothing red, and your garments like him who treads in the wine vat?

“I have trodden the wine press alone. Of the peoples, no one was with me. Yes, I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath. Their lifeblood is sprinkled on my garments, and I have stained all my clothing.

For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redeemed has come.

I looked, and there was no one to help; and I wondered that there was no one to uphold. Therefore my own arm brought salvation to me. My own wrath upheld me.

I trod down the peoples in my anger and made them drunk in my wrath. I poured their lifeblood out on the earth.”

I will tell of the loving kindnesses of the LORD and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has given to us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he has given to them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.

For he said, “Surely, they are my people, children who will not deal falsely;” so he became their Savior.

In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and in his pity he redeemed them. He bore them, and carried them all the days of old.

But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. Therefore he turned and became their enemy, and he himself fought against them.

Then he remembered the days of old, Moses and his people, saying, “Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put his Holy Spirit among them?”

Who caused his glorious arm to be at Moses’ right hand? Who divided the waters before them, to make himself an everlasting name?

Who led them through the depths, like a horse in the wilderness, so that they didn’t stumble?

As the livestock that go down into the valley, the LORD’s Spirit caused them to rest. So you led your people to make yourself a glorious name.

Look down from heaven, and see from the habitation of your holiness and of your glory. Where are your zeal and your mighty acts? The yearning of your heart and your compassion is restrained toward me.

For you are our Father, though Abraham doesn’t know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us. You, LORD, are our Father. Our Redeemer from everlasting is your name.

O LORD, why do you make us wander from your ways, and harden our heart from your fear? Return for your servants’ sake, the tribes of your inheritance.

Your holy people possessed it but a little while. Our adversaries have trodden down your sanctuary.

We have become like those over whom you never ruled, like those who were not called by your name.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter presents a majestic and solemn vision of divine judgment and covenantal mercy, centering on the figure of the Lord coming from Edom, garments stained from treading the winepress of wrath. The passage moves from a scene of solitary judgment to a communal lament, where the prophet recalls God’s past redemption and current absence, expressing grief over Israel’s suffering and spiritual desolation. It forms a pivotal moment in Isaiah’s final section, where the themes of judgment on the nations and the hope for restoration converge.

Flow.

The chapter opens with a theophany: a warrior-like figure from Edom, clothed in crimson, identified as the righteous Savior executing judgment (vv. 1–3).
The imagery of treading the winepress alone emphasizes God’s exclusive role in executing vengeance, prompted by the absence of human intercession (vv. 4–6).
The tone shifts abruptly to praise, recalling God’s mercies to Israel in the exodus and wilderness, grounded in covenantal love and God’s presence (vv. 7–14).
The passage concludes in lament: the people acknowledge their rebellion, mourn God’s hiddenness, and cry for mercy, claiming identity in God’s fatherhood and redemption despite national ruin (vv. 15–19).

Connections.
Following chapter 62, which promises Zion’s restoration and the Lord’s public defense of his people, chapter 63 reveals the deeper basis for that salvation: divine intervention in judgment against oppressors. The violent imagery contrasts with the peace foreseen in the previous chapter, showing that redemption requires the defeat of enemies. Yet the lament at the end disrupts the triumph, leading into the penitent plea of chapter 64, which continues the intercession begun here. The unresolved tension—God as both Savior and adversary—prepares the way for the call for renewal and the promise of a new heavens and earth in chapter 65 and beyond.

What it teaches.
The chapter teaches that God’s saving work is inseparable from his holy judgment. He acts alone to crush wickedness because no human can stand before his wrath (WCF 3.7; CD I.14), yet he is also the covenant Lord who pities his people and carried them in former days (HC LD 10). His grief over rebellion (v. 10) does not erase his identity as Father and Redeemer (WCF 7.1), even when he must contend with his people. The reference to the Holy Spirit grieved (v. 10) affirms God’s personal presence in redemption (BC art. 11), while the cry for God to “rend the heavens” (echoed in ch. 64) reflects the longing for divine intervention that only sovereign mercy can fulfill (HC LD 9).

Apply.
When the world’s violence and God’s silence weigh heavy, remember that the same hands that struck down evil once bore your sin and now hold you in covenant love.

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