Isaiah 64:3

“When thou didst terrible things, which we looked not for, thou camest down, &c.] Referring to the wonderful things God did in Egypt, at the Red sea, and in the wilderness, and particularly at Mount Sinai, things that were unexpected, and not looked for; then the Lord came down, and made visible displays of his power and presence, especially on Mount Sinai; (see <021918>Exodus 19:18): the mountains flowed down at thy presence; not Sinai only, but others also; Kimchi says Seir and Paran; (<070504>Judges 5:4,5 <196807>Psalm 68:7,8 <350303> Habakkuk 3:3,6).”

“When--Supply from Isa 64:2, "As when." terrible things-- (Psa 65:5). we looked not for--far exceeding the expectation of any of our nation; unparalleled before (Exo 34:10; Psa 68:8). camest down--on Mount Sinai. mountains flowed--Repeated from Isa 64:1; they pray God to do the very same things for Israel now as in former ages. GESENIUS, instead of "flowed" here, and "flow" in Isa 64:1, translates from a different Hebrew root, "quake . . . quaked"; but "fire" melts and causes to flow, rather than to quake (Isa 64:2).”

“When thou didst terrible things - In delivering the people from Egypt, and in conducting them to the promised land. Which we looked not for - Which we had never before witnessed, and which we had no right to expect. Thou camest down - As on Mount Sinai. The mountains flowed down - (See the notes above). The reference is to the manifestations of smoke and fire when Yahweh descended on Mount Sinai (see Exodus 19:18). return to 'Top of Page'”

“Terrible things - This may relate to what he did among the Egyptians, tho' it be not recorded, and afterward in the wilderness. Looked not for - Such things as we could never expect. Mountains - Kings, princes, and potentates, may metaphorically be understood by these mountains. Isaiah 64:4”

“thou didst: Exo 34:10; Deu 4:34, Deu 10:21; Jdg 5:4, Jdg 5:5; Sa2 7:23; Psa 65:6, Psa 66:3, Psa 66:5, Psa 68:8; Psa 76:12, Psa 105:27-36, Psa 106:22 the mountains: Isa 64:1; Hab 3:3, Hab 3:6 Isaiah 64:4”

“The following clause gives the reason for this; ו being very frequently the logical equivalent for kı̄ (e.g., Isa 3:7 and Isa 38:15). The justification of this wish, which is forced from them by the existing misery, is found in the incomparable acts of Jehovah for the good of His own people, which are to be seen in a long series of historical events. Isa 64:3 (4.). "For from olden time men have not heard, nor perceived, nor hath an eye seen, a God beside Thee, who acted on behalf of him that waiteth for Him." No ear, no eye has ever been able to perceive the existence of a God who acted like Jehovah, i.e., really interposed on behalf of those who set their hopes upon Him. This is the…”