John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 64:12

"Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O Jehovah? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?" — Isaiah 64:12 (ASV)

Will you restrain yourself for these things, O Jehovah? The people strengthen themselves by assured confidence that God will not permit his glory to be trampled underfoot, though men provoke him by innumerable transgressions. This can yield no consolation of any kind to hypocrites but relates solely to those who are moved by a true sense of the mercy of God. Such persons believe and are fully persuaded, though death threaten them, that God will nevertheless have regard to his own glory, and will at least be gracious to the remnant, that the seed may not perish.

And will you afflict us beyond measure? He shows that it is impossible for God not to be mindful of his mercy; for he cannot deny himself (2 Timothy 2:13). But our salvation is connected with his glory. This ought to be carefully observed; for, after having spoken of the glory of God, he adds, You will not afflict us beyond measure. The Lord will therefore restrain his chastisements; for his glory, which he cannot disregard, is deeply involved in our deliverance from death. To this prayer, therefore, let us resort whenever we are attacked by our enemies; not in the manner of hypocrites (who haughtily boast of the glory of God, of which they have no experience whatever), but with repentance and faith, that we may actually obtain the fruit of that glory.

CHAPTER 65.