Old Testament
Isaiah 63:15
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Look down from heaven and see from your holy and glorious dwelling: where is your zeal and your strength, the stirring of your heart and your mercies toward me? Are they restrained?
Compare translations
Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?
What Isaiah 63:15 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Isaiah 63:15, the speaker is calling out to God, asking Him to look down from heaven and observe the situation on earth. The speaker is in distress and feels abandoned, questioning where God's passion and strength are in their time of need. The terms 'zeal' and 'strength' reflect a longing for God's active involvement and support. The phrase 'the stirring of your heart' suggests a desire for God's compassion and mercy to be evident. The speaker feels that these qualities may be restrained or absent, leading to a sense of despair. This verse captures a deep yearning for divine intervention and a reminder of God's holiness and glory, emphasizing the relationship between humanity and the divine. It highlights the emotional struggle of feeling distant from God while seeking reassurance of His love and power.
How to apply Isaiah 63:15 to your life
When facing difficult times, it's important to express our feelings to God, just as the speaker does in this verse. We can seek His presence and remind ourselves of His mercy and strength, trusting that He hears our cries and will respond in His timing.
Curated for this public verse page. Isaiah Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Daniel's story: Faithful at the King's Table (Daniel 1:1–21)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Daniel
Photo: Bukvoed, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 4.0. Source. Location: Burj Beitin, Beitin, Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Bethel
Where Jacob dreamed of a stairway to heaven and met God.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Isaiah 63:15
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Isaiah 63:15
Related Bible verses
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Isaiah
- Author
- Isaiah the prophet
- Written
- Around 700 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah and the surrounding nations
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Isaiah 63:15 mean?
Isaiah 63:15 expresses a deep yearning for God's presence during times of distress. The speaker is asking God to look down from heaven and show His mercy and strength, feeling abandoned and questioning why these qualities seem absent.
What is the meaning of 'zeal' in Isaiah 63:15?
In Isaiah 63:15, 'zeal' refers to God's passionate commitment and active involvement in the lives of His people. The speaker is longing for God’s fervor and support during a time of need.
What does 'the stirring of your heart' mean in Isaiah 63:15?
'The stirring of your heart' in Isaiah 63:15 signifies a desire for God's compassion and emotional response to human suffering. The speaker is seeking reassurance that God cares and is moved by their plight.
How can I apply Isaiah 63:15 to my life?
You can apply Isaiah 63:15 by openly expressing your feelings to God during tough times. This verse encourages you to seek God's presence and trust in His mercy and strength, knowing that He hears your cries.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.