Isaiah 38:19

KJV

The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I [do] this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.

KJV (with Strong's)

The living {H2416}, the living {H2416}, he shall praise {H3034} thee, as I do this day {H3117}: the father {H1} to the children {H1121} shall make known {H3045} thy truth {H571}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The living, the living - they can thank you, as I do today; fathers will make their children know about your faithfulness.

Berean Standard Bible

The living, only the living, can thank You, as I do today; fathers will tell their children about Your faithfulness.

American Standard Version

The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: The father to the children shall make known thy truth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 38:19 is a profound declaration from King Hezekiah's psalm of thanksgiving, penned after God miraculously extended his life. This verse powerfully articulates the primary purpose of continued existence: to actively praise God. It simultaneously underscores the vital intergenerational responsibility of parents to faithfully transmit divine truth and the knowledge of God's character and saving acts to their children, ensuring a living legacy of faith and worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Hezekiah's personal psalm of thanksgiving (Isaiah 38:9-20), which immediately follows the narrative of his miraculous recovery from a terminal illness. The prophet Isaiah had delivered a message from the Lord stating that Hezekiah would die (`/isaiah/38-1 "Isaiah 38:1 - Hezekiah's Fatal Illness"`). In deep distress, Hezekiah turned to the Lord in fervent prayer, reminding God of his faithful walk (`/isaiah/38-3 "Isaiah 38:3 - Hezekiah's Prayer"`). In response, God, through Isaiah, promised to add fifteen years to his life and deliver Jerusalem from the Assyrians (`/isaiah/38-5 "God's Promise of Healing"`). The psalm, therefore, is Hezekiah's heartfelt expression of gratitude, reflecting on the profound difference between the silence of the grave and the vibrant capacity for praise granted by renewed life. Verse 19 specifically encapsulates his commitment to use his extended life for God's glory and to ensure the continuation of God's praise through future generations.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Hezekiah reigned over Judah during a tumultuous period (c. 715-686 BC), marked by the growing threat of the Assyrian Empire. His illness occurred around the time of Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem, adding a layer of national anxiety to his personal crisis. In ancient Israelite thought, life was considered a supreme blessing from God, while death, particularly premature death, was often viewed as a sign of divine displeasure or a tragic end to one's ability to praise God in the land of the living. The grave (Sheol) was understood as a place of silence and inactivity, where direct praise of God ceased (`/psalms/6-5 "Psalm 6:5 - No Praise in Death"`). Therefore, Hezekiah's recovery was not merely a physical healing but a profound theological affirmation of God's power and faithfulness, restoring his capacity to fulfill his kingly and spiritual duties, including leading his people in worship and ensuring the continuity of God's covenant truth.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 38:19 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Isaiah and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights the **privilege and purpose of life**, emphasizing that the gift of continued existence is primarily for the active praise and worship of God. Hezekiah's personal experience underscores that life, unlike the silence of death, provides the arena for expressing gratitude and devotion to the Creator. Secondly, the verse powerfully articulates the theme of **intergenerational transmission of truth**. The mandate for "the father to the children" to make known God's truth reflects the ancient Israelite emphasis on passing down the covenant, God's laws, and His mighty acts from one generation to the next, as seen in the foundational commands of the Shema (`/deuteronomy/6-7 "Deuteronomy 6:7 - Teaching Children God's Commands"`). This ensures the continuity of faith and the preservation of God's redemptive history. Finally, Hezekiah's psalm, culminating in this verse, serves as a testament to **God's faithfulness and sovereign power** to deliver and restore, even in the face of death, reinforcing the theme of divine intervention and covenant loyalty throughout the book of Isaiah (`/isaiah/40-8 "The Enduring Word of God"`).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Living (Hebrew, _chay'_):** This word (H2416) derives from a root meaning "to be hot" and signifies being "alive," "fresh," or "strong." In this context, its emphatic repetition ("The living, the living") underscores the vibrant, active state of existence, contrasting sharply with the inertness of death. It refers to those who possess breath and vitality, capable of engaging in conscious activity, particularly the act of praise. Hezekiah emphasizes that only those who are `chay` can truly fulfill the purpose of praising God in the earthly realm.
* **Praise (Hebrew, _yâdâh'_):** The verb (H3034) literally means "to use (i.e., hold out) the hand." It is often used physically to throw or cast, but more significantly, it means "to revere or worship (with extended hands)" or "to confess" or "to give thanks." Hezekiah's use of `yâdâh` here implies a full-bodied, expressive act of thanksgiving and adoration, a public acknowledgment of God's goodness and power, particularly in light of his miraculous healing. It's a confession of God's saving work through his very life.
* **Truth (Hebrew, _ʼemeth'_):** This noun (H571) is contracted from the root `ʼâman` (to be firm, trustworthy). It denotes "stability," "certainty," "faithfulness," and "trustworthiness." In this verse, "thy truth" refers not merely to factual accuracy but to God's inherent reliability, His covenant faithfulness, and the dependable nature of His character and promises, especially as demonstrated in His saving acts like Hezekiah's healing. It is the dependable reality of God's being and His dealings with humanity that is to be transmitted.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I [do] this day:"** This opening clause is a powerful declaration of purpose. The emphatic repetition of "the living" highlights the unique capacity of those who are alive to engage in active worship and thanksgiving. Hezekiah, having been brought back from the brink of death, understands this privilege profoundly. His own restored life is a living testament to God's power, and he commits to using this renewed life for the explicit purpose of praising God. This praise is not merely a passive state but an active, ongoing expression of gratitude and adoration, mirroring the very praise he is offering in this psalm.
* **"the father to the children shall make known thy truth."** This second clause shifts from personal commitment to intergenerational responsibility. It establishes a divine mandate for the transmission of spiritual heritage. "The father" represents the current generation, specifically those entrusted with the knowledge and experience of God's faithfulness. "The children" are the future generations, who must receive this vital spiritual legacy. The phrase "shall make known" (from `yâdaʻ`, to know, to cause to know) implies active, intentional instruction and demonstration. The object of this teaching is "thy truth" (`ʼemeth`), encompassing God's reliable character, His covenant promises, and His mighty acts of salvation, as exemplified by Hezekiah's own deliverance. This ensures that the praises of God continue beyond a single lifetime.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices. **Repetition** is prominently featured in "The living, the living," which serves to emphasize the profound significance and unique capacity of those who are alive to praise God. This **Emphasis** creates a stark **Contrast** with the silence of the dead, highlighting life as the sphere of active worship. The phrase "as I [do] this day" functions as a **Simile** and a **Personal Testimony**, grounding the universal principle of praise in Hezekiah's immediate, lived experience of divine deliverance. Furthermore, the phrase "the father to the children" uses **Synecdoche**, where "father" represents the preceding generation and "children" the succeeding one, symbolizing the broader principle of **Intergenerational Transmission** of faith and truth. The entire verse, as part of Hezekiah's psalm, functions as a **Vow of Thanksgiving**, a solemn promise made to God in response to His gracious intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 38:19 powerfully articulates the core theological truth that human life, particularly life redeemed by God, is fundamentally purposed for His praise and the propagation of His truth. Hezekiah's experience underscores that God's acts of salvation are not merely for individual benefit but are meant to be proclaimed, serving as testimonies to His enduring faithfulness for all generations. This commitment to intergenerational teaching is a foundational principle of biblical faith, ensuring that the covenant relationship with God and the knowledge of His character are preserved and passed down, maintaining a living chain of worshipers. It highlights the dynamic nature of faith, which is both personally experienced and communally transmitted, thereby glorifying God through time.

* [Psalm 78:4](/psalms/78-4 "Teaching Future Generations God's Deeds")
* [Deuteronomy 6:7](/deuteronomy/6-7 "Diligently Teaching Your Children")
* [Psalm 145:4](/psalms/145-4 "One Generation Declares God's Works to Another")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hezekiah's experience in Isaiah 38:19 offers timeless principles for believers today, reminding us that life itself is a sacred gift, not merely for self-fulfillment, but primarily as an opportunity to glorify God. His renewed life became a living testament to God's power and faithfulness, prompting him to commit to a life of praise and the diligent transmission of divine truth. This challenges us to consider how we are stewarding our own lives: Are we actively using our days to praise God, not just in formal worship, but in every aspect of our being? Do we recognize the profound privilege of being alive and capable of knowing and declaring God's character? Furthermore, the verse places a weighty responsibility on every generation to faithfully pass on the knowledge of God's truth, His character, and His saving acts to the next. This isn't just a duty for parents, but for all who have received God's truth, to mentor, teach, and live out a vibrant faith that inspires future generations to know and praise Him. Our lives, like Hezekiah's, should be living sermons, making known the enduring truth of God to a world in need.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways does my daily life reflect a commitment to praise God, as Hezekiah vowed?**
* **How am I actively participating in making God's "truth" known to the next generation, whether through family, church, or community?**
* **What specific "truth" about God, learned from my own experiences of His faithfulness, can I share with others today?**
* **If my life were extended, what would be my renewed purpose for God's glory?**

### FAQ

**Why is "the living" repeated twice?**

Answer: The repetition of "the living, the living" (`chay, chay` in Hebrew) is a literary device known as **reduplication** or **emphasis**. It serves to intensify the meaning and highlight the profound contrast between the state of being alive and the state of death (Sheol), where praise was traditionally believed to cease (`/psalms/115-17 "The Dead Do Not Praise the Lord"`). Hezekiah, having faced imminent death, underscores with great passion that only those who possess life and breath can actively and consciously engage in praising God. It emphasizes the preciousness and unique privilege of life as the arena for worship and thanksgiving.

**What does "thy truth" specifically refer to in this context?**

Answer: "Thy truth" (Hebrew: `ʼemeth`) in Isaiah 38:19 refers to more than just factual accuracy. It encompasses God's **faithfulness, reliability, steadfastness, and covenant loyalty**. In Hezekiah's context, it specifically points to God's demonstrated truthfulness in keeping His promises and intervening powerfully, as evidenced by his miraculous healing and the extension of his life (`/isaiah/38-5 "God's Promise to Hezekiah"`). It is the dependable reality of God's character and His saving acts that Hezekiah commits to make known to future generations, ensuring that His mighty deeds and His trustworthy nature are never forgotten.

**Does "the father to the children" imply that only biological fathers are responsible for passing on truth?**

Answer: While the phrase literally refers to the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society, the principle extends beyond biological fatherhood. "The father to the children" represents the **intergenerational transmission of faith and knowledge**. In a broader sense, it signifies the responsibility of the preceding generation (spiritual elders, mentors, parents, and the community of faith) to diligently teach and model God's truth to the succeeding generation. This is a communal responsibility for all believers, echoing the broader biblical mandate to instruct and disciple (`/deuteronomy/4-9 "Teach Your Children and Grandchildren"` and `/matthew/28-19 "The Great Commission"`).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 38:19, born from Hezekiah's deliverance from death, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Hezekiah's restored life allowed him to continue praising God and transmitting His truth, but his life, like all human lives, was finite. Christ, however, is the very embodiment of "the living" who perpetually praises God. His resurrection from the dead (`/romans/6-9 "Christ's Resurrection"`), unlike Hezekiah's temporary reprieve, conquered death definitively, establishing Him as the source of eternal life. Through His atoning work, believers are granted new life in Him (`/ephesians/2-5 "Made Alive with Christ"`), a life that is not merely extended but transformed and eternal, enabling them to offer continuous, Spirit-empowered praise to God (`/hebrews/13-15 "A Sacrifice of Praise"`). Furthermore, Jesus Christ is the ultimate "truth" (`/john/14-6 "Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life"`), the full revelation of God's character and faithfulness. The mandate for "the father to the children shall make known thy truth" is perfectly fulfilled in the Great Commission, where the Church, as the family of God, is commanded to go and make disciples, teaching them all that Christ commanded (`/matthew/28-19 "The Great Commission"`). Thus, Hezekiah's personal vow becomes a prophetic echo of the Church's mission: to live in Christ, praise God eternally, and faithfully transmit the truth of the Gospel to every generation until Christ's return.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 6:7

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Psalms 119:175

¶ Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.

Deuteronomy 4:9

Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;

Psalms 78:3

Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

Psalms 78:6

That the generation to come might know [them, even] the children [which] should be born; [who] should arise and declare [them] to their children:

Exodus 12:26

And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?

Exodus 12:27

That ye shall say, It [is] the sacrifice of the LORD'S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.