Isaiah 64:5 Meaning: 'Shall We Be Saved?'
You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, those who remember you in your ways. Behold, you were angry, and we sinned. We have been in sin for a long time. Shall we be saved?
Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.
Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou wast wroth, and we sinned: in them have we been of long time; and shall we be saved?
Thou hast met with the rejoicer And the doer of righteousness, In Thy ways they remember Thee, Lo, Thou hast been wroth when we sin, By them is continuance, and we are saved.
Thou meetest him that rejoiceth to do righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: (behold, thou wast wroth, and we have sinned:) in those is perpetuity, and we shall be saved.
Meaning in one sentence
Isaiah 64:5 asks a raw question: can a sinful people be saved by a holy God? The verse holds the tension between God's mercy and our failure.
Context
Isaiah 63 and 64 form a prayer from a people in exile. They remember the mighty things God did for their ancestors, and they long for Him to tear open the heavens and come down again. By the time we reach chapter 64, verse 5, the prayer has turned personal. The people recall that God meets those who delight in doing right and remember His ways. But they also confess their own sin. They admit that God was angry because of their rebellion, and they have stayed in that sin for a long time. Then comes the question that holds the whole prayer together: “Shall we be saved?” It is a question born of honesty about who they are and who God is.
Key Words
Three English phrases carry the weight of this verse. “You meet him”, the Hebrew verb (paga) often describes an encounter, even a meeting with God at the tent of meeting (Exodus 25:22). It suggests more than a distant glance; God draws near to a person on purpose. “Rejoices and does righteousness”, the joy comes first. The person is not forcing obedience but delights in it, like the Psalmist who says “delight yourself in Yahweh” (Psalm 37:4). “Remember you in your ways”, this is not mere memory. It is active attention, a life that keeps God's character in view while walking. Together these describe a relationship where God does not wait at a distance. He meets those whose hearts are turned toward Him with joy.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have read this verse with careful attention to its tension. Some Reformed commentators, like Matthew Henry, emphasize that the people appeal to God's own character: He has always been merciful to those who wait for Him, even when they have sinned. Wesley and the Methodist tradition see in the word “meetest” the picture of the father running to meet the prodigal son. Others, like Gill, point out that the rejoicing and working righteousness are not what earns God's meeting; they describe the posture of someone who already knows God's grace. Across traditions, the verse is seen as a plea that depends on God's faithful nature, not on human worthiness.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think this verse means God only draws near to people who already live perfect, joyful lives. If you are struggling with sin, you might stay away, waiting until you feel righteous enough. In fact, the people praying this verse are not pretending to be good. They confess openly: “Behold, you were angry, and we sinned.” Their honest confession is part of their meeting with God. The verse invites us to bring our failure into His presence, not to hide it.
Living This Out
This week, you might find yourself holding two truths at once: you want to walk with God, and you know you fall short. The urge is to pull away until you have done better. Instead, follow the example of this verse. Name your sin plainly, and then ask the question the verse asks: “Shall we be saved?” It is not a rhetorical question. It is a real cry to the God who meets people. You can bring your hope and your failure together in the same prayer, because He is the One who meets those who call on Him.
Main takeaway: God meets those who delight in Him, and He also meets the sinner who cries out, 'Shall we be saved?'
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God is happy when we do what is right. But sometimes we make mistakes. Even then, God wants us to come to Him and ask for help.
For ages 9, 12
Isaiah 64:5 shows us a question that can be hard to ask: if we have sinned, can God still save us? The people in the verse were honest about their mistakes, but they also remembered that God meets those who want to do right. That gives us hope. We do not have to hide our failures from God. We can tell Him the truth and trust that He will meet us in our need.
Questions People Ask
What does 'You meet him' mean in Isaiah 64:5?
The Hebrew word often refers to an intentional encounter, like when God met Moses at the tent of meeting. It means God draws near to a person who is actively seeking Him with joy and righteousness.
Does this verse say we have to be perfect before God meets us?
No. The people praying this verse were confessing their sin even as they remembered God's goodness. The verse holds both together: God meets those who delight in righteousness, and we confess that we have sinned. It is a plea for grace, not a claim of perfection.
Why do so many translations of this verse sound different?
The Hebrew text of the last part of this verse is very difficult. Some words may have been copied incorrectly over time. Because of this, scholars translate parts of the verse differently. But the main idea is clear: the people confess sin and ask to be saved.
How is this verse connected to the New Testament?
Some have compared the 'eye has not seen' wording in verse 4 to 1 Corinthians 2:9, though Paul may have been using a familiar idea rather than quoting directly. The deeper connection is the hope of salvation for sinners, which the New Testament ties to Jesus Christ.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study