Isaiah 38:16 kjv
O LORD, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live.
Isaiah 38:16 nkjv
O Lord, by these things men live; And in all these things is the life of my spirit; So You will restore me and make me live.
Isaiah 38:16 niv
Lord, by such things people live; and my spirit finds life in them too. You restored me to health and let me live.
Isaiah 38:16 esv
O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these is the life of my spirit. Oh restore me to health and make me live!
Isaiah 38:16 nlt
Lord, your discipline is good,
for it leads to life and health.
You restore my health
and allow me to live!
Isaiah 38 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 38:16 | O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live. | Isaiah 38:16 |
| Psalm 119:50 | This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. | Psalm 119:50 (Comfort/Life) |
| Psalm 50:15 | And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. | Psalm 50:15 (Calling/Deliver) |
| 2 Corinthians 1:3 | Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; | 2 Cor 1:3 (God of Comfort) |
| Philippians 4:11 | Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. | Phil 4:11 (Contentment) |
| Romans 8:28 | And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. | Rom 8:28 (All things work for good) |
| James 1:2 | My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; | James 1:2 (Joy in Trials) |
| Isaiah 26:3-4 | Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: | Isa 26:3-4 (Peace/Trust) |
| Psalm 30:5 | For his anger is but for a moment; his favour is with life: weeping may endure for night, but joy cometh in the morning. | Psa 30:5 (Weeping/Joy) |
| Psalm 145:8 | The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. | Psa 145:8 (Gracious/Mercy) |
| Exodus 15:2 | The LORD is my strength and my song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. | Exod 15:2 (Strength/Song/Salvation) |
| Hebrews 13:15 | By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. | Heb 13:15 (Sacrifice of Praise) |
| 1 Corinthians 10:13 | There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. | 1 Cor 10:13 (Faithfulness) |
| 2 Samuel 7:28 | And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant: | 2 Sam 7:28 (God's words are true) |
| Psalm 118:17 | I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. | Psa 118:17 (Live/Declare Works) |
| Matthew 6:25 | Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? | Matt 6:25 (Life valued) |
| 1 Peter 5:7 | Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. | 1 Pet 5:7 (Casting cares) |
| Psalm 42:5 | Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. | Psa 42:5 (Hope/Praise) |
| Isaiah 12:2 | Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is my salvation. | Isa 12:2 (Salvation/Trust/Strength) |
| Lamentations 3:21-24 | This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. | Lam 3:21-24 (Mercies/Faithfulness/Hope) |
| John 6:63 | It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. | John 6:63 (Spirit/Life) |
| Psalm 23:1 | The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. | Psa 23:1 (The Lord provides) |
Isaiah 38 verses
Isaiah 38 16 Meaning
This verse is a powerful expression of the prophet Isaiah's heartfelt prayer and affirmation of faith during a time of severe illness, likely King Hezekiah's. He declares that he has been "afflicted" and that his "spirit rejoiceth in the salvation and mercy of the Lord," acknowledging his temporary suffering while focusing on the Lord's deliverance. He chooses to sing, specifically "of thy faithfulness." This is a confession that even in affliction, God's faithfulness is the primary reality and the source of true joy and renewed song.
Isaiah 38 16 Context
Isaiah 38 records a significant event in the life of King Hezekiah of Judah. Hezekiah is diagnosed with a fatal illness. The prophet Isaiah delivers a message of impending death. In response, Hezekiah turns his face to the wall, prays fervently, and weeps bitterly. God hears his prayer, and Isaiah is sent back with a message that his life will be extended by fifteen years, with a sign to confirm this promise. Chapters 38 and 39 are often seen as an intercalation, recounting this personal divine intervention. This particular verse comes after God’s promise of healing and the miraculous sign of the sun dial. It's a personal reflection of Hezekiah (or potentially Isaiah, representing Hezekiah’s perspective after the divine intervention) acknowledging his fragile mortality and his deep dependence on God's life-giving power and faithfulness for recovery. The immediate historical context is a mortal illness and God's supernatural intervention. The broader context is God’s covenant with Israel and his sovereign power over life and death.
Isaiah 38 16 Word Analysis
- O Lord (adonay): A title of respect and sovereignty, indicating the speaker’s submission to God’s authority.
- by these things (bə-‘ēlla): Refers to the "living things" or means of life, perhaps encompassing sustenance, health, and the tangible provisions of God. The Septuagint renders this as "in these things shall be the whole circulation of my years."
- men live (’en-šê-mā-yîm): Life; to be alive, to survive, to live on. This is about the duration and quality of earthly existence.
- and in all these things (wə-və-kɔl-’ēlla): Emphasizes the comprehensiveness of God's provision for life. Every aspect of living is dependent on Him.
- is the life (qô-wɔm): To be made alive, to revive, to stand up again. The animating spirit that God imparts.
- of my spirit (rûḥî): The inner being, the vital force, the innermost self, including intellect and emotion. This signifies a spiritual as well as physical renewal.
- so wilt thou recover me (kên ‘ē·ṯ-ṯər-pa-’ē-nî): You will heal me. A direct statement of confidence in God’s ability to restore health.
- and make me to live (wə-tô-hî-yên-nî): And cause me to live. It goes beyond mere healing to a restored vitality, a living again. The word ‘to live’ here can also mean to enjoy the blessings of life or to remain in the land of the living.
Isaiah 38 16 Bonus Section
This verse underscores a crucial theological point: human life is entirely dependent on God. It is not merely granted at birth but sustained moment by moment by His sustaining power and faithful provision. The declaration "O Lord, by these things men live" is a broad statement of dependence. When interpreted through a New Testament lens, "these things" find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25) and through whom believers are spiritually restored and given eternal life. The assurance of recovery and living again is a prophetic glimpse of the ultimate redemption and resurrection promised to those who trust in God. The choice to focus on singing of God's faithfulness, even in distress, highlights a resilient faith that transcends temporal circumstances, echoing the practice of praise and thanksgiving as commanded throughout Scripture.
Isaiah 38 16 Commentary
The verse is a profound acknowledgment of life's ultimate source: God. Despite facing death, the psalmist expresses a conviction that life itself, in all its aspects, originates from and is sustained by the Lord. This isn't just a physical recovery being anticipated, but a spiritual revitalization. The emphasis is on the faithful, life-giving power of God as the foundation for existence. It is a testimony that true life and health are not merely biological functions but divine gifts, renewed by God’s mercy. Even in affliction, the inner spirit finds its true life by clinging to God's promises and character, specifically His faithfulness. This anticipates the ultimate "life more abundantly" found in Christ.