Isaiah 38:3

KJV

And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done [that which is] good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

KJV (with Strong's)

And said {H559}, Remember {H2142} now, O LORD {H3068}, I beseech {H577} thee, how I have walked {H1980} before {H6440} thee in truth {H571} and with a perfect {H8003} heart {H3820}, and have done {H6213} that which is good {H2896} in thy sight {H5869}. And Hezekiah {H2396} wept {H1058}{H1065} sore {H1419}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"I plead with you, ADONAI, remember now how I have lived before you truly and wholeheartedly, and how I have done what you see as good." And he cried bitter tears.

Berean Standard Bible

saying, “Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what was good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

American Standard Version

and said, Remember now, O Jehovah, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 38:3 records King Hezekiah's fervent and tearful prayer to the Lord in the face of a terminal illness. Having received a divine pronouncement of death, Hezekiah appeals to God's memory of his faithful and sincere walk, his integrity, and his righteous deeds performed in God's sight. His profound sorrow, expressed through weeping, underscores the depth of his plea for divine mercy and intervention. This verse encapsulates a pivotal moment of human desperation met with a heartfelt appeal to divine character and past faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an immediate and direct response to the prophetic word delivered by Isaiah in [Isaiah 38:1](/isaiah/38-1 "Isaiah 38:1 - Hezekiah's Sickness and Isaiah's Prophecy"), where the king is told to "Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live." Instead of passively accepting this decree, Hezekiah turns his face to the wall, a posture of intense private prayer, and pours out his heart to God. His prayer is followed by God's swift response through Isaiah, granting him an extension of life and deliverance from Assyria ([Isaiah 38:4-6](/isaiah/38-4 "Isaiah 38:4-6 - God's Answer to Hezekiah's Prayer")). This personal narrative is strategically placed within a larger section of Isaiah that deals with God's sovereignty over nations and His covenant faithfulness to Judah, particularly in the face of the Assyrian threat.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Hezekiah reigned over Judah from approximately 715-686 BC, a period marked by significant political and religious upheaval. The Assyrian Empire was at its zenith, posing an existential threat to Judah. Just prior to this illness, Jerusalem had been miraculously delivered from the siege of Sennacherib's Assyrian army ([Isaiah 37](/isaiah/37 "Isaiah 37 - Deliverance from Sennacherib")). Hezekiah himself was known as one of Judah's most righteous kings, undertaking extensive religious reforms by destroying idols and restoring proper worship of Yahweh ([2 Kings 18:3-6](/2_kings/18-3 "2 Kings 18:3-6 - Hezekiah's Righteous Reign")). In the ancient Near East, a king's health was often seen as intrinsically linked to the well-being of his nation, and a premature death could signify divine displeasure or leave the kingdom vulnerable without a clear successor. Hezekiah's desperate plea for life, therefore, carried not only personal but also national implications, especially since he had not yet had a son (Manasseh, his successor, was born after this event).

* **Key Themes:** [Isaiah 38:3](/isaiah/38-3 "Isaiah 38:3 - Hezekiah's Prayer") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah and the broader Old Testament. It highlights the **power of prayer**, demonstrating that even a seemingly final divine word can be met with earnest supplication that moves God to compassion and a change of decree. The king's appeal to his past faithfulness underscores the theme of **covenant loyalty and divine remembrance**, where God acknowledges and responds to the integrity of His servants. It also touches upon the theme of **human vulnerability and dependence on God**, even for powerful kings. Furthermore, the "perfect heart" theme resonates with the call for **wholehearted devotion** found throughout the Mosaic Law and prophetic literature, distinguishing true worship from mere ritual or hypocrisy. Hezekiah's tears reveal the raw human experience of **lament and sorrow** in the face of death, a common motif in biblical expressions of faith ([Psalm 6:6](/psalms/6-6 "Psalm 6:6 - Weeping in Lament") and [Psalm 56:8](/psalms/56-8 "Psalm 56:8 - God Collects Tears")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Remember (Hebrew, _zâkar'_):** This primitive root means "to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention." Hezekiah is not suggesting God has forgotten, but rather appealing to God's covenant faithfulness and His character as one who honors integrity. It is a plea for God to act based on His own nature and His established relationship with His servant, bringing Hezekiah's past devotion to the forefront of divine consideration.
* **Perfect (Hebrew, _shâlêm'_):** From the root meaning "complete," this adjective describes something "whole, complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly." When applied to the heart, as here, it does not imply sinless perfection but rather undivided, sincere, and unreserved devotion to God. It signifies integrity, wholeness of purpose, and single-minded loyalty, contrasting with a double-minded or hypocritical heart. Hezekiah asserts that his service to God has been genuine and without compromise.
* **Wept (Hebrew, _bâkâh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to weep; generally to bemoan." This word, coupled with "sore" (Hebrew, _gâdôwl'_ - great, mighty), emphasizes the intensity and depth of Hezekiah's emotional distress. His tears are not a sign of weakness but a raw, uninhibited expression of anguish and desperation, a common and accepted form of lament in the ancient world and throughout biblical narratives. It underscores the sincerity and urgency of his prayer.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee,"**: Hezekiah immediately responds to Isaiah's pronouncement by turning to God in prayer. The phrase "Remember now" is not a command but a humble, earnest plea, acknowledging God's sovereignty and appealing to His character. "I beseech thee" (Hebrew, _ʼânnâʼ'_) is an interjection expressing supplication, akin to "Oh now!" or "Please!" It sets a tone of desperate yet respectful entreaty.
* **"how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart,"**: This is the core of Hezekiah's appeal. To "walk before thee" (Hebrew, _hâlak pânîym'_) means to live one's life consciously in God's presence, according to His will and commands, implying consistent obedience and accountability. "In truth" (Hebrew, _ʼemeth'_) signifies faithfulness, reliability, and integrity. "With a perfect heart" (Hebrew, _shâlêm lêb'_) emphasizes his wholehearted, undivided devotion to God, distinguishing his reign from many predecessors who tolerated idolatry. He is not claiming sinless perfection, but a life characterized by genuine, sincere commitment to God's ways.
* **"and have done [that which is] good in thy sight."**: This clause further specifies the nature of his "walk." "Good" (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_) in this context refers to actions that are pleasing, right, and morally upright in God's estimation. Hezekiah points to his deeds—his reforms, his trust in God during the Assyrian crisis, and his general righteous governance—as evidence of his sincere devotion. He appeals to God's omniscience, stating that his actions were performed with God as his witness and judge.
* **"And Hezekiah wept sore."**: This final phrase is a powerful descriptor of Hezekiah's emotional state. "Wept sore" (Hebrew, _bâkâh bâkâh gâdôwl'_) indicates intense, bitter weeping. It is a raw expression of his profound anguish and distress over the impending death sentence. His tears underscore the gravity of his situation and the sincerity of his plea, adding a deeply human element to his otherwise theological argument.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Supplication** is the overarching form, as Hezekiah pours out his heart to God. His prayer is a direct **appeal to divine memory and character**, implicitly reminding God of His covenant promises to those who walk uprightly. The phrase "walked before thee" is an **idiom** for living in God's presence and according to His will, a common biblical expression of obedience and accountability. "Perfect heart" serves as a **metonymy** for a life of complete and undivided devotion, where the heart represents the seat of one's will, affections, and moral character. The vivid description "wept sore" is an example of **pathos**, evoking deep sympathy for the king's distress and highlighting the intensity of his emotional state. The entire prayer functions as a **lament**, a common genre in the Psalms, where an individual expresses sorrow and appeals to God in a time of crisis.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hezekiah's prayer in [Isaiah 38:3](/isaiah/38-3 "Isaiah 38:3 - Hezekiah's Earnest Prayer") stands as a profound testament to the efficacy of earnest prayer and God's responsiveness to the cries of His faithful. It underscores the biblical principle that while God's decrees are sovereign, they can sometimes be conditional or open to intercession, especially when met with genuine repentance or sincere appeal to a life of devotion. This passage highlights the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where faithfulness is recognized and remembered by the Divine. It also teaches that true righteousness is characterized by integrity of heart and actions that are pleasing in God's sight, not merely outward conformity.

* [Psalm 51:17](/psalms/51-17 "Psalm 51:17 - A Broken and Contrite Heart")
* [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "James 5:16 - The Prayer of a Righteous Person")
* [2 Chronicles 32:24](/2_chronicles/32-24 "2 Chronicles 32:24 - Hezekiah's Prayer and God's Response")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hezekiah's raw and heartfelt prayer offers a powerful model for believers facing their own moments of crisis and despair. It reminds us that even when faced with what seems like a definitive and dire pronouncement, our first and most vital response should be to turn to the Lord in earnest prayer. Hezekiah did not resign himself to fate but actively engaged with God, appealing to his relationship and past faithfulness. This does not suggest we can manipulate God, but rather that a life lived in sincere devotion to Him builds a foundation of trust and intimacy upon which we can confidently lay our deepest fears and desires. His weeping also validates the expression of profound sorrow and vulnerability before God, reminding us that our tears are not unnoticed but are heard and held by a compassionate Father. We are invited to bring our whole selves—our integrity, our pain, our desperation—before the One who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Hezekiah's immediate response to the news of his impending death challenge or affirm your own approach to crisis?**
* **What does it mean for you to "walk before the Lord in truth and with a perfect heart" in your daily life?**
* **In what ways do you allow yourself to express raw emotion, like Hezekiah's weeping, in your prayers to God?**

### FAQ
**Did Hezekiah's "good deeds" earn him more life from God?**

Answer: No, Hezekiah's actions did not *earn* him salvation or manipulate God. Rather, his appeal was based on his *relationship* with God, characterized by a life of sincere devotion and obedience ("walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart"). In the Old Testament, God often responded to the faithfulness of His covenant people with blessings and mercy, not as a reward for merit-based salvation, but as an affirmation of the covenant relationship. Hezekiah's prayer was a humble, desperate plea from a heart genuinely committed to Yahweh, and God, in His sovereign compassion and faithfulness to His covenant, chose to extend his life ([Isaiah 38:5](/isaiah/38-5 "God's Promise to Hezekiah")). It demonstrates God's responsiveness to the prayers of the righteous, not a transactional exchange.

**What does "perfect heart" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "perfect heart" (Hebrew: _shâlêm lêb'_) does not imply sinless perfection, which is unattainable for humans ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "All Have Sinned")). Instead, it signifies a heart that is "whole," "complete," or "undivided" in its devotion and loyalty to God. It speaks to sincerity, integrity, and single-minded commitment, contrasting with a double-minded or hypocritical heart. Hezekiah's heart was entirely given over to the worship of Yahweh, as evidenced by his extensive religious reforms and his consistent trust in God during times of national crisis ([2 Kings 18:3-7](/2_kings/18-3 "Hezekiah's Reforms and Trust in God")). It means his allegiance was pure and uncompromised.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hezekiah's appeal to his own righteousness and God's response to his weeping foreshadow the ultimate and perfect intercession of Jesus Christ. While Hezekiah appealed to his imperfect, though sincere, walk, Christ lived a life of absolute and unblemished righteousness, truly walking "in truth and with a perfect heart" in the sight of God ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")). He needed no extension of life for himself but willingly laid down His life as the perfect sacrifice for humanity's sin ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "Jesus Lays Down His Life")). Hezekiah's tears were for his own life; Christ's tears were shed for the sins and suffering of humanity, even weeping over Jerusalem's unbelief ([Luke 19:41](/luke/19-41 "Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")) and in the Garden of Gethsemane in agony for the cup He was about to drink ([Luke 22:44](/luke/22-44 "Jesus' Anguish in Gethsemane")). Unlike Hezekiah, whose life was extended for a mere fifteen years, Christ's resurrection secured eternal life for all who believe, conquering death definitively ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "Victory Over Death")). Through His perfect life, atoning death, and powerful resurrection, Christ became the ultimate means by which God remembers His covenant and extends grace, not based on our imperfect works, but on His perfect work on the cross, granting us a new and eternal life in Him ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Newness of Life in Christ")).

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

Hebrews 6:10

For God [is] not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Hebrews 5:7

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Psalms 18:20

¶ The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.

Psalms 18:27

For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.

Nehemiah 13:14

Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.

2 Chronicles 31:20

And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought [that which was] good and right and truth before the LORD his God.

2 Chronicles 31:21

And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did [it] with all his heart, and prospered.