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Isaiah 38:20

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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 {H3068} was ready to save {H3467} me: therefore we will sing my songs {H5058} to the stringed instruments {H5059} all the days {H3117} of our life {H2416} in the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}.

ADONAI is ready to save me; hence we will make our stringed instruments sound all the days of our life in the house of ADONAI."

The LORD will save me; we will play songs on stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the house of the LORD.

Jehovah isreadyto save me: Therefore we will sing my songs with stringed instruments All the days of our life in the house of Jehovah.

Commentary

Isaiah 38:20 is a heartfelt declaration of King Hezekiah's gratitude and renewed commitment to God following his miraculous recovery from a life-threatening illness. It beautifully encapsulates the joy and devotion that spring from experiencing divine intervention.

Context

This verse is part of a "writing" or psalm of thanksgiving composed by King Hezekiah after the LORD extended his life. In the preceding verses of Isaiah chapter 38, Hezekiah had been informed by the prophet Isaiah that he would die from his sickness. Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed fervently to God, weeping bitterly (Isaiah 38:2-3). God heard his prayer and, through Isaiah, promised to add fifteen years to his life (Isaiah 38:5) and deliver Jerusalem from the Assyrians. This verse, therefore, is a direct response to God's compassionate and powerful act of divine deliverance from the brink of death.

Key Themes

  • Divine Deliverance and Salvation: The core message is God's power and willingness to save. Hezekiah attributes his recovery entirely to the LORD's action, declaring, "The LORD was ready to save me." This highlights God's sovereignty over life and death.
  • Heartfelt Gratitude and Worship: Hezekiah's immediate response to salvation is a vow of perpetual praise. His commitment to "sing my songs to the stringed instruments" signifies joyful, musical worship as a natural outflow of a grateful heart.
  • Lifelong Devotion: The phrase "all the days of our life in the house of the LORD" emphasizes a commitment to continuous worship and service. It's not a temporary thank-you but a lifelong dedication to God's presence and glory in the Temple.
  • Testimony and Example: Hezekiah's song serves as a powerful testimony to God's faithfulness, encouraging others to trust in the LORD during their own times of distress.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "The LORD [was ready] to save me" includes "was ready" in brackets, indicating it's an addition by the translators for clarity. The Hebrew, YHWH l'hoshi'ani (יהוה להושיעני), literally means "The LORD to save me" or "The LORD saves me," conveying the immediate and active nature of God's saving power. The term "stringed instruments" translates the Hebrew neginoth (נְגִינוֹת), which refers to instruments like harps or lyres, commonly used in temple worship and for accompanying psalms. This underscores the vibrant, musical nature of Hezekiah's promised worship.

Practical Application

Hezekiah's experience and subsequent vow offer profound lessons for believers today:

  • Remember God's Deliverance: Just as Hezekiah remembered God's saving act, we are called to reflect on God's faithfulness in our own lives, whether it's deliverance from illness, despair, or spiritual bondage. This act of remembrance fosters gratitude (Psalm 103:2).
  • Express Gratitude Through Worship: True gratitude leads to action. Hezekiah's commitment to "sing my songs" reminds us to express our thanks to God actively, through praise, worship, and testimony, using our gifts and resources.
  • Commit to Lifelong Devotion: His vow to worship "all the days of our life in the house of the LORD" challenges us to live a life of consistent devotion, not just in times of crisis or celebration, but every day. Our "house of the LORD" can be our local church community, our personal prayer space, or simply living in continuous awareness of God's presence.

This verse stands as a powerful reminder that when God delivers, our natural and proper response is a life dedicated to His praise and glory.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 116:2 (4 votes)

    Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon [him] as long as I live.

  • Psalms 150:4 (3 votes)

    Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

  • Psalms 145:2 (3 votes)

    Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

  • Psalms 116:17 (2 votes)

    I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.

  • Psalms 116:19 (2 votes)

    In the courts of the LORD'S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

  • Psalms 68:25 (2 votes)

    The singers went before, the players on instruments [followed] after; among [them were] the damsels playing with timbrels.

  • Psalms 33:2 (2 votes)

    Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery [and] an instrument of ten strings.