Isaiah 38:20
The LORD will save me, and we will play my music on stringed instruments all the days of our lives, at the house of the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse isn't just about personal gratitude; it's about restoring worship itself. Hezekiah isn't just planning to sing his song; he's declaring he and "we" will play "my songs" on instruments, signaling the recommitment of this music back to God's house after a period of spiritual neglect.
King Hezekiah has just received a death sentence from God, confirmed by a sign from heaven. After crying out to God in his distress, he's granted a miraculous fifteen extra years of life. This verse is Hezekiah's heartfelt response, a song of thanksgiving not just for his own life, but for the ongoing faithfulness of the Lord to his people. He's declaring his intention to publicly praise God in the Temple with music, a practice he helped restore.
Hezekiah faced a dire situation, certain he was about to die. But God’s rescue wasn’t delayed. What does this say about God’s timing and willingness to save?
The verse opens with a powerful declaration: "The LORD will save me." Some translations render this closer to, "The LORD is ready to save me," or "The LORD came to my rescue." This isn't just a passive hope; it's a recognition of God's active, prompt intervention. When Hezekiah was at the brink, God didn't hesitate. This reflects God's character as a "present help in time of need" (Psalm 46:1).
This isn't to say God always intervenes instantly in every situation. But for Hezekiah, the deliverance was swift and decisive, turning him from certain death back to life. It highlights God's power and His heart to rescue those who cry out to Him.
Hezekiah doesn't just want to sing alone; he envisions a communal, ongoing celebration. What does this tell us about the purpose of expressing our gratitude to God?
The heart of this passage is the resolve: "we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our lives, at the house of the LORD." This isn't just a private moment of thanks. Hezekiah includes "we" – likely his family, his court, or even the Levitical musicians. The songs are personal ("my songs") but intended for a corporate setting.
This points to the importance of public worship. Hezekiah, especially after being restored, wants to join in the temple's daily praise, using musical instruments. This wasn't just about making noise; it was about structured, joyful, ongoing worship that honored God publicly. The restoration of the temple's music ministry, which had been neglected, was a significant act for Hezekiah, showing how central praise was to his faith and his kingdom's spiritual health.
Understand the original words
bayit · Hebrew Noun
The central place of worship for the people of Israel where God’s presence uniquely dwelt. It represents the meeting place between heaven and earth and the location for communal praise and sacrifice.
This song, composed in a moment of dire illness and miraculous recovery, wasn't just a private expression of relief; it was intended as a liturgical piece to be sung in the Temple, proclaiming God's saving power to all of Judah.
c. 715 BC
Hezekiah becomes King of Judah
Hezekiah ascends to the throne of Judah, inheriting a kingdom that had seen religious and political reforms under his grandfather, Joash, but also periods of decline. He would later face the mighty Assyrian Empire.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, conquering many cities and besieking Jerusalem. This was a time of immense fear and pressure on Hezekiah and the people of Judah.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Hezekiah's Illness and Isaiah's Prophecy
King Hezekiah falls gravely ill, near death. The prophet Isaiah tells him to set his house in order, for he will die. Hezekiah prays and weeps, and Isaiah is sent back with a message of fifteen more years of life, with a sign involving the sun's shadow.
c. 701 BC
Hezekiah's Song of Thanksgiving
After his miraculous recovery, King Hezekiah composes a profound song of praise and thanksgiving to the LORD, reflecting on his near-death experience and God's faithfulness.
This Psalm is a direct parallel to Hezekiah's experience, recounting a similar story of being delivered from the brink of death and resolving to praise God publicly and continuously.
Psalm 118:17-19This passage expresses a similar desire to not die but live to declare the works of the LORD, also intending to do so within the 'gates of the LORD's house', echoing Hezekiah's commitment.
2 Chronicles 29:25-30This passage describes Hezekiah re-establishing the temple worship with music and singing after a period of neglect, providing the historical context for his vow to use music in God's house.
Habakkuk 3:17-19Though Habakkuk's situation was different, his song of praise despite devastating loss shows a profound trust and resolution to rejoice in the LORD, similar to Hezekiah's determination to sing even amidst his recovery.
barnesIsaiah 38:20: "The LORD was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD."
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…
gillIsaiah 38:20: "The LORD was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD."
The Lord was ready to save me,.... Or, "the Lord to save me (y)"; he was at hand to save him; he was both able and willing to save him; he was a present help in time of need; he arose for his help, and that right early; he very quickly delivered him out of his distress; he, who one day expected death every moment, was the next day in the t…
This verse isn't just about personal gratitude; it's about restoring worship itself. Hezekiah isn't just planning to sing his song; he's declaring he and "we" will play "my songs" on instruments, signaling the recommitment of this music back to God's house after a period of spiritual neglect.
King Hezekiah has just received a death sentence from God, confirmed by a sign from heaven. After crying out to God in his distress, he's granted a miraculous fifteen extra years of life. This verse is Hezekiah's heartfelt response, a song of thanksgiving not just for his own life, but for the ongoing faithfulness of the Lord to his people. He's declaring his intention to publicly praise God in the Temple with music, a practice he helped restore.
King Hezekiah has just received a death sentence from God, confirmed by a sign from heaven. After crying out to God in his distress, he's granted a miraculous fifteen extra years of life. This verse is Hezekiah's heartfelt response, a song of thanksgiving not just for his own life, but for the ongoing faithfulness of the Lord to his people. He's declaring his intention to publicly praise God in the Temple with music, a practice he helped restore.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Isaiah 38:20 is available in the Sola app.
Post-701 BC
Reinstitution of Temple Worship
Following his recovery and deliverance, Hezekiah actively promoted religious reforms, including the re-establishment and organization of temple worship, likely enhancing the role of music and singing in the daily services.
"The LORD will save me, and we will play my music on stringed instruments all the days of our lives, at the house of the LORD." — This verse isn't just about personal gratitude; it's about restoring worship itself. Hezekiah isn't just planning to sing his song; he's declaring he and "we" will play "my songs" on instruments, sig…
