Charles Ellicott Commentary Isaiah 64:1

"Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might quake at thy presence," — Isaiah 64:1 (ASV)

Oh that thou wouldest rend ... —The division of chapters hinders the English reader from seeing that this is really a continuation of the prayer of Isaiah 63:15-19. The prophet asks that Jehovah may not only “look down” from heaven, but may rend, as it were, the dark clouds that hide the light of His countenance from His people, and that the mountains might tremble at His presence. (Exodus 19:18.)