Isaiah 38:13 - Hezekiah's Song of Thanksgiving

Audio Bible

Context

Hezekiah's Song of Thanksgiving
…12My dwelling has been picked up and removed from me like a shepherd’s tent. I have rolled up my life like a weaver; He cuts me off from the loom; from day until night You make an end of me. 13I composed myself until the morning. Like a lion He breaks all my bones; from day until night You make an end of me. 14I chirp like a swallow or crane; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weak as I look upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my security.”…

Cross References

Psalm 30:5
For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.Job 7:4
When I lie down I think: ‘When will I get up?’ But the night drags on, and I toss and turn until dawn.Lamentations 3:3
Indeed, He keeps turning His hand against me all day long.Psalm 102:11
My days are like lengthening shadows, and I wither away like grass.Job 10:20-22
Are my days not few? Withdraw from me, that I may have a little comfort, / before I go—never to return—to a land of darkness and gloom, / to a land of utter darkness, of deep shadow and disorder, where even the light is like darkness.”Psalm 39:13
Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may again be cheered before I depart and am no more.”2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.Psalm 90:6
in the morning it springs up new, but by evening it fades and withers.Job 17:11
My days have passed; my plans are broken off—even the desires of my heart.2 Corinthians 5:1-4
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. / For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, / because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. ...Psalm 6:6
I am weary from groaning; all night I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.Job 14:6
look away from him and let him rest, so he can enjoy his day as a hired hand.1 Peter 1:24
For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,Psalm 103:15-16
As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field; / when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more.Job 7:7
Remember that my life is but a breath. My eyes will never again see happiness.

1 Kings 13:24-26
And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase…

1 Kings 20:36
Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him.

Job 10:16,17
For it increaseth. Thou huntest me as a fierce lion: and again thou shewest thyself marvellous upon me…

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Isaiah 38

I composed myself until the morning.
This phrase reflects a period of waiting and introspection. In the context of Isaiah 38, King Hezekiah is recovering from a severe illness. The act of composing oneself suggests a deliberate effort to remain calm and hopeful despite dire circumstances. Biblically, morning often symbolizes new beginnings or divine intervention (Psalm 30:5). Hezekiah's patience and trust in God during his illness can be seen as a model of faith, reminiscent of other biblical figures who waited on the Lord, such as David (Psalm 27:14).

Like a lion He breaks all my bones;
The imagery of a lion breaking bones conveys intense suffering and the feeling of being overpowered by a force much stronger than oneself. In ancient Near Eastern culture, lions were symbols of strength and ferocity. This metaphor highlights the severity of Hezekiah's affliction, suggesting that it felt as though God Himself was the source of his suffering. This can be compared to Job's lamentations, where he also feels crushed by divine affliction (Job 10:16). The lion imagery is also used in other scriptures to describe God's judgment or the power of enemies (Hosea 5:14).

from day until night You make an end of me.
This phrase emphasizes the relentless nature of Hezekiah's suffering, suggesting that it was continuous and unyielding. The transition from day to night signifies a complete cycle, indicating that Hezekiah felt overwhelmed by his condition at all times. The use of "You" directly addresses God, acknowledging His sovereignty even in times of distress. This reflects a common biblical theme where individuals recognize God's hand in their trials, as seen in the Psalms (Psalm 88:1-18). The phrase also foreshadows the ultimate deliverance and restoration that God provides, aligning with the broader narrative of redemption found throughout scripture.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Hezekiah
The king of Judah who is the speaker in this passage. Hezekiah was known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to restore proper worship in Judah.

2. Isaiah
The prophet who delivered God's messages to Hezekiah, including the prophecy of his illness and recovery.

3. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, where Hezekiah reigned and where these events took place.

4. God
The sovereign Lord who is both the source of Hezekiah's affliction and his deliverance.

5. Hezekiah's Illness
A significant event where Hezekiah was struck with a terminal illness, leading to his prayer and eventual healing by God.

Teaching Points

The Reality of Human Frailty
Hezekiah's experience reminds us of our vulnerability and the inevitability of suffering in life. It calls us to rely on God in times of distress.

God's Sovereignty in Suffering
The imagery of God as a lion breaking bones highlights His control over our circumstances. We must trust in His purposes, even when they are painful.

The Power of Prayer
Hezekiah's response to his illness was to pray fervently. This teaches us the importance of turning to God in prayer during our trials.

Hope in God's Deliverance
Despite the dire situation, Hezekiah's account ends with healing and restoration, encouraging us to have hope in God's ability to deliver us.

The Importance of Patience and Endurance
Hezekiah's calming himself until morning illustrates the need for patience and endurance as we wait for God's intervention.

(13) I reckoned till morning . . .--Better, I quieted myself, as in Psalm 131:2. He threw himself into the calm submission of the weaned child; yet when the morning came there was a fresh access of suffering. Life had been prolonged, contrary to his expectations; but it was only for renewed agony. Surely that would end his sufferings.

Verse 13. - I reckoned till morning, etc.; i.e. "I lay thinking till the morning, that God would crush me as a lion crushes his prey - I expected him all day long to make an end of me." Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

I composed myself
שִׁוִּ֤יתִי (šiw·wî·ṯî)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7737: To level, equalize, to resemble, to adjust

until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the morning.
בֹּ֙קֶר֙ (bō·qer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning

Like a lion
כָּֽאֲרִ֔י (kā·’ă·rî)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 738: A lion

He breaks
יְשַׁבֵּ֖ר (yə·šab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7665: To break, break in pieces

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

my bones;
עַצְמוֹתָ֑י (‘aṣ·mō·w·ṯāy)
Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6106: A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame

from day
מִיּ֥וֹם (mî·yō·wm)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

night
לַ֖יְלָה (lay·lāh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity

You make an end of me.
תַּשְׁלִימֵֽנִי׃ (taš·lî·mê·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 7999: To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate

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Isaiah 38:13 Catholic BibleOT Prophets: Isaiah 38:13 I waited patiently until morning (Isa Isi Is)