The living, the living - An emphatic or intensive form of expression, as in Isaiah 38:11, Isaiah 38:17. Nothing would express his idea but a repetition of the word, as if the heart was full of it.The father to the children - One generation of the living to another. The father shall have so deep a sense of the goodness of God that he shall desire to make it known to his children, and to perpetuate the memory of it in the earth. read more
The Lord was ready to save me - He was prompt, quick to save me. He did not hesitate or delay.Therefore we will sing my songs - That is, my family and nation. The song of Hezekiah was designed evidently not as a mere record, but to be used in celebrating the praises of God, and probably in a public manner in the temple. The restoration of the monarch was a fit occasion for public rejoicing; and it is probable that this ode was composed to be used by the company of singers that were employed... read more
For Isaiah had said - In the parallel place in Kings the statement in these two verses is introduced before the account of the miracle on the sun-dial, and before the account of his recovery 2 Kings 20:7-8. The order in which it is introduced, however, is not material.Let them take a lump of figs - The word used here (דבלה debēlâh) denotes “a round cake” of dried figs pressed together in a mass 1 Samuel 25:18. Figs were thus pressed together for preservation, and for convenience of... read more
Hezekiah also had said - What evidence or proof have I that I shall be restored, and permitted to go to the temple? The miracle on the sun-dial was performed in answer to this request, and as a demonstration that he should yet be permitted to visit the temple of God (see the note at Isaiah 38:7). read more
A.M. 3292. B.C. 712. In this chapter we have the sickness of Hezekiah, and the sentence of death which he received from Isaiah , vv1. His prayer in his sickness, Isaiah 38:2 , Isaiah 38:3 . The answer of peace which God gave to that prayer, assuring him that he should recover, and live yet fifteen years; and that, for a sign thereof, the sun should go back ten degrees, Isaiah 38:4-8 . Hezekiah’s thanksgiving for his recovery, Isaiah 38:9-20 . The means he was enjoined to use in order to... read more
Isaiah 38:1-8. In those days was Hezekiah sick See notes on 2 Kings 20:1-11. read more
Isaiah 38:9. Grotius is of opinion that this song was dictated by Isaiah. But it is more probable, as Hezekiah was a truly pious man, and inspired by the Holy Spirit, that he was moved thereby to write this form of thanksgiving, both as a testimony of his own gratitude to God, and for the instruction of future ages. read more
Isaiah 38:10-11. I said Within myself; I concluded, in the cutting off of my days When my days were cut off by the sentence of God, related Isaiah 38:1; I shall go to the gates of the grave I perceive that I must die without any hopes of prevention. The grave is called man’s long home, Ecclesiastes 12:5; and the house appointed for all living, Job 30:23; and death opens the gates of this house. I am deprived of the residue of my years Which I might have lived according to the common... read more
Isaiah 38:12. Mine age is departed The time of my life is expired; and is removed as a shepherd’s tent Which is easily and speedily removed: I have cut off Namely, by my sins, provoking God to do it; or, I have concluded, and declare that my life is, or will be, soon cut off: for men are often said, in the Scriptures, to do those things that they only declare and pronounce to be done; like a weaver my life Who cutteth off the web from the loom, either when it is finished, or before,... read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 38:18
For the grave cannot praise thee - The Hebrew word here is sheol. It is put by metonymy here for those who are in the grave, that is, for the dead. The word ‘praise’ here refers evidently to the public and solemn celebration of the goodness of God. It is clear, I think, that Hezekiah had a belief in a future state, or that he expected to dwell with ‘the inhabitants of the land of silence’ Isaiah 38:11 when he died. But he did not regard that state as one adapted to the celebration of the public... read more