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
Isaiah 38:17. Behold, for peace I had great bitterness “When I perceived and feared no evil, and seemed to enjoy my usual health, then this terrible evil came upon me.” The Hebrew, however, לשׁלום מר לו מר , may be properly rendered, Behold my grievous anguish is turned into ease; or, My great bitterness was unto peace, that is, became the occasion of my safety and comfort, for it drove me to prayer, and prayer prevailed with God for a gracious answer, and the prolonging of my life. ... read more
Isaiah 38:18-20 . For the grave cannot praise thee The dead cannot be instruments of promoting thy glory among men upon earth, or of making thy goodness known to others, which I desire and determine to do. They cannot hope for thy truth Cannot expect nor receive the accomplishment of thy promised goodness in this world. The living, &c., shall praise thee They are especially obliged to do it, and they only have the privilege of doing it among men on earth. The father to the... read more
Isaiah 38:21-22. For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs See note on 2 Kings 20:7. Hezekiah also had said Or, for Hezekiah had said; What is the sign that I shall go up Namely, within three days, as is more fully related 2Ki 20:5 ; 2 Kings 20:8; to the house of the Lord? For thither he designed to go first, partly that he might pay his vows and thanksgivings to God, and partly that he might engage the people to praise God with him and for him. read more
Hezekiah’s illness and recovery (38:1-22)The events recorded in Chapters 38 and 39 probably happened before those of the previous chapters. Hezekiah was about to die (38:1), but in answer to his prayer God gave him an extension of life. It seems that the reason for preserving Hezekiah’s life was to enable him to bring Judah through the time of conflict with Assyria (2-6). God gave Hezekiah a miraculous sign to confirm that this extension of life was according to the divine will (7-8).Hezekiah... read more
pit of corruption. = pit or corruption. behind Thy back. Sins unforgiven are said to be "before His face" (Psalms 109:14 , Psalms 109:15 .Jeremiah 16:17 . Hosea 7:2 ). Compare Micah 7:19 . Hence the "happinesses" of Psalms 32:1 , Psa 32:16 . read more
the grave. Hebrew. Sheol . App-35 . Put here by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), for those who are in it. not. Note the Ellipsis of the second negative. See note on Genesis 2:6 , and 1 Kings 2:9 . Compare for the teaching Psalms 6:5 ; Psalms 30:9 ; Psalms 88:10 , Psalms 88:12 .Ecclesiastes 9:10 . celebrate. See note on "shall not give their light" (Isaiah 13:10 ). they. Some codices read "and they". 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