Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, reigned as the king of Judah during a pivotal period in the nation's history, approximately from 715 to 686 BC. Known for his religious reforms and efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh, Hezekiah is celebrated for his faithfulness and reliance on God, particularly during times of national crisis. One of the most profound expressions of his faith is found in his psalm of thanksgiving, recorded in the book of Isaiah.

Context of the Psalm

Hezekiah's psalm of thanksgiving is situated within the narrative of his illness and miraculous recovery. In Isaiah 38, we learn that Hezekiah became mortally ill, and the prophet Isaiah delivered a message from the Lord, instructing him to set his house in order, for he would not recover. In response, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed earnestly to the Lord, reminding God of his faithfulness and wholehearted devotion. Moved by his prayer, God extended Hezekiah's life by fifteen years and provided a sign of His promise by causing the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz to move backward.

The Psalm of Thanksgiving

Hezekiah's psalm, found in Isaiah 38:9-20, is a heartfelt expression of gratitude and reflection on his experience of deliverance. The psalm begins with a somber reflection on the brink of death:

"I said, 'In the prime of my life I must go through the gates of Sheol; I am deprived of the remainder of my years.'" (Isaiah 38:10)

Hezekiah vividly describes the despair he felt, likening his life to a tent being pulled up and a weaver cutting him from the loom. Yet, in the midst of his lament, there is a turning point where he acknowledges God's intervention:

"But what can I say? He has spoken to me, and He Himself has done this. I will walk humbly all my years because of this anguish of my soul." (Isaiah 38:15)

The psalm transitions into a declaration of praise and thanksgiving, recognizing God's deliverance and the restoration of life:

"Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In Your love You kept me from the pit of destruction; You have put all my sins behind Your back." (Isaiah 38:17)

Hezekiah acknowledges that it is the living who praise God, emphasizing the importance of proclaiming God's faithfulness to future generations:

"The living, only the living can thank You, as I do today; fathers will tell their children about Your faithfulness." (Isaiah 38:19)

Significance

Hezekiah's psalm of thanksgiving is a testament to his deep personal relationship with God and his understanding of divine sovereignty. It reflects a profound theological insight that suffering and deliverance are both within God's providential care. The psalm serves as an enduring reminder of the power of prayer, the mercy of God, and the importance of gratitude and testimony in the life of a believer. Through his words, Hezekiah not only celebrates his own healing but also encourages the faithful to trust in God's promises and to declare His goodness to all generations.Isaiah 38:9-22
The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness:
Nave's Topical Index

Hezekiah, the Praying King
... Judah was sorely pressed by the Assyrians, and, humanly ... to do with the recovery of
this praying king. ... Hezekiah meets the occasion and covers the answer to his ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/vi hezekiah the praying king.htm

The Poetical Books.
... which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, copied out ... the Old Testament saints; it
refers to Hezekiah and the ... nor can any blandishments of the king disturb her ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter vii the poetical books.htm

A Short Essay Toward the Improvement of Psalmody:
... mete out the Vally of Succoth; Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine, Ephraim also is
the Strength of mine Head, Judah is my ... Moreover Hezekiah the King and the ...
/.../a short essay toward the improvement of psalmody/a short essay toward the.htm

Questions.
... 29. Who reigned after Hezekiah? 30. ... 31. Who was the last King of Judah? 32. ... 42. What
prophecy was fulfilled by Judea having an Edomite king? "Gen. xlix.10. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

Psalms
... ii., xviii., cx.; (f) yearning for the Messianic King, lxxxix., cxxxii ... Isaiah
38:9, the writing of Hezekiah). ... when he was in the wilderness of Judah," simply on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/psalms.htm

The Works of John Cassian.
... Chapter X. An instance showing how King Hezekiah was overthrown by the dart of
vainglory. ... Chapter XXI. The instance of Joash, King of Judah, showing what ...
//christianbookshelf.org/cassian/the works of john cassian /

Matt. I. 1
... And to Hezekiah He saith, "I will defend this city, for ... in admiration; the one as
a prophet and a king, the other ... for one to be of the tribe of Judah, but not ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily ii matt i 1.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... he was to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem ... Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah did both
sometimes bring trouble (2 ... run to meet another,"to shew the king of Babylon ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

Manner of Covenanting.
... In the first year of his reign, Hezekiah declared, "Now it is ... and presenting an
animating example, the kingdom of Judah, with Asa their king, "sware unto ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ii manner of covenanting.htm

What Messiah did the Jews Expect?
... Jacob had leaned, and which, through Judah, had passed ... the promises having been
fulfilled in King Hezekiah (Sanh ... dead, and Messiah, sitting on His throne, would ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v what messiah did.htm

Who was Hezekiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Sennacherib in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What was Nehushtan? | GotQuestions.org

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