John Gill 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 refrain yourself for these things, O Lord ? &c.] From delivering us out of our troubles and miseries, and taking vengeance on our enemies, and showing your zeal for your own glory; or, as Kimchi paraphrases it, ``how canst thou contain thyself for these things, and not have mercy?''

how canst thou bear to see Judea, and all its cities, a wilderness; Jerusalem, and the temple of it, in ruins?

Will you hold your peace? or, "be silent"; and not plead your own cause, and the cause of your people?

and afflict us very sore ? exceedingly, even to extremity; or for ever, as the Targum, thinking it long, as well as heavy.

Jerom observes, that the Jews say these words in their synagogues every day; which show that they look upon this prophecy to respect their present case.