Here we have the contrasted confession of every sinner in whose heart the Lord begins

His work. The word righteousness is in the plural, meaning in Hebrew, all the very best

and holiest of thoughts and deeds. The words "filthy rags" more literally, are "fading

coverings". Look further on, "we all do fade as a leaf" not the same word, but a similar

The allusion to Gen. 3: seems very clear. There, the guilty man and woman sought

to make a covering of fig leaves, fading coverings, but the Lord made them coats of skin,

a coat which involved the sacrifice of the animal first. This is the lesson, our good works

will not stand, they fade; we ourselves are similar, we fade, unless we are covered with

the robe of righteousness (Isa. 53: 10, 11), we shall perish.  Isa. 64: is primarily the

heart confession of the elect remnant of Israel, who are beginning to realize their sin and

that they are without hope; to such the Lord Jesus comes when He comes again, they

look on Him Whom they pierced and mourn for Him (Zech. 12: 10) and are converted.

Rom. 10: 1-3 shows their boast; Rom. 10: 4 shows their righteousness.

This chapter continues on from chapter 11: where we have the list of those examples

who walked by faith. Sonship here in this world of sin, and in our present condition,

entails not only that our Heavenly Father supplies our need, but that also we are corrected

and checked, else we shall become spiritually unruly and undisciplined. No chastisement

seems pleasant here and now, but we are directed to see beyond, to the fruit,

Righteousness and Peace, these are their practical outcome. "The wicked are not in

trouble as other men are" yet when we, like Asaph, "go into the sanctuary" we can

understand their end. How contrasted with the end of the children of God it is, instead of

Peace and Righteousness there is nothing but darkness and death. May we count it a

mark of love when we feel the Father's hand.