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.
Isaiah 38:3 nkjv
and said, "Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
Isaiah 38:3 niv
"Remember, LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
Isaiah 38:3 esv
and said, "Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
Isaiah 38:3 nlt
"Remember, O LORD, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you." Then he broke down and wept bitterly.
Isaiah 38 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 38:1 | "In those days Hezekiah was smitten with a deadly illness..." | Contextual beginning of the account |
| 2 Kings 20:1 | "In those days Hezekiah was sick unto death..." | Parallel account, emphasizes sickness |
| 2 Chronicles 32:24 | "In those days Hezekiah was sick and nigh unto death..." | Parallel account, highlights state |
| Isaiah 38:3 | "I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart..." | Hezekiah's plea, basis of his appeal |
| Psalm 51:6 | "Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts..." | Emphasizes the value of inner truth |
| Romans 12:1 | "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice..." | Connects supplication with God's mercy |
| Philippians 4:6 | "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." | Principle of prayer and supplication |
| 1 John 1:9 | "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." | Foundation for approaching God |
| Jeremiah 29:13 | "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." | Seeking God with full devotion |
| Matthew 7:7 | "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:" | Encouragement to ask God |
| Psalm 119:69 | "The proud have forged lies against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart." | Declaration of obedience |
| Deuteronomy 18:13 | "Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God." | Divine standard for humanity |
| Genesis 17:1 | "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect." | God's command for blamelessness |
| Job 1:8 | "And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?" | Example of a righteous man |
| Psalm 73:13 | "Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency." | Reflects on uprightness |
| Hebrews 12:15 | "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God..." | Warning against falling away |
| Acts 23:1 | "And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." | Paul's testimony of integrity |
| 1 Corinthians 4:4 | "For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord." | Humility in self-assessment |
| Psalm 26:2 | "Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart." | Request for divine scrutiny |
| John 8:29 | "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him." | Jesus' testimony of pleasing God |
| Isaiah 26:3-4 | "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." | Promises to those who trust God |
Isaiah 38 verses
Isaiah 38 3 Meaning
Hezekiah, upon hearing of his impending death, turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, pleading for a reprieve from his illness and a restoration to health, remembering his devotion and integrity before God.
Isaiah 38 3 Context
This verse is found within the narrative of Hezekiah's illness and recovery, as recorded in both 2 Kings 20 and 2 Chronicles 32. Isaiah the prophet delivered God's message that Hezekiah would die. This pronouncement prompted Hezekiah's profound and heartfelt prayer. The chapter immediately precedes Hezekiah's recovery, the sign of the sun's dial moving backward, and the subsequent birth of Manasseh. The historical context is Hezekiah's reign in Judah, a period of religious reform and political instability, especially with the threat of the Assyrian empire. Hezekiah's personal faith and his leadership's impact are central to this narrative. The culture emphasized seeking divine intervention during times of crisis, and adherence to covenant obligations was seen as a basis for God's favor.
Isaiah 38 3 Word Analysis
- "and hezekiah": introduces the subject, Hezekiah, king of Judah.
- Hezekiah (חִזְקִיָּהוּ - Chizkiyahu): Hebrew name meaning "Yahweh strengthens." This name itself is a declaration of faith.
- "turned his face": signifies a deliberate and earnest focus of attention and desire towards a particular object or person. It's a posture of profound engagement.
- Related to the concept of seeking God's face, which implies a desire for His presence and favor.
- "unto the wall": indicates Hezekiah turned his face towards the wall in his chamber, not ignoring God but withdrawing to pray privately and intensely, in a place of intimate devotion. It is an act of humbling himself before God in a secluded space.
- "and prayed": from the Hebrew "wayyitpallel" (וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל), meaning to intercede, to entreat, to pray. It denotes a serious, earnest petition.
- "unto the LORD": directly addressing Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This signifies a personal and direct relationship with the Divine.
- "and said": introduces the direct speech of Hezekiah's prayer.
- "remember": Hebrew "zakhoreh na" (זָכְרָה־נָא). This is a polite but urgent plea, a request to recall His past dealings and covenant promises. It’s not that God forgets, but it’s an appeal to His faithfulness.
- "O LORD": reiteration of addressing Yahweh.
- "how I have walked": refers to his conduct, his lifestyle, and his behavior over time.
- "before thee": emphasizes that his actions were done in God's presence and with accountability to Him. It highlights a life lived under divine observation.
- "in truth": Hebrew "be'emet" (בֶּאֱמֶת), meaning with sincerity, faithfulness, reliability, and reality. It speaks to an unfeigned heart.
- "and with a perfect heart": Hebrew "uwev levav shalem" (וּבְלֵבָב שָׁלֵם).
- "heart" (levav/lev): the seat of a person's will, mind, emotions, and understanding; the inner self.
- "perfect" (shalem): meaning whole, complete, undivided, sincere, without fault or flaw. It implies an undivided loyalty and commitment to God, not sinless perfection, but a sincere, devoted, and uncompromised heart towards God.
Words/Groups Analysis:
- "turned his face unto the wall, and prayed unto the LORD": This sequence paints a picture of deep introspection and concentrated prayer. It's a deliberate turning away from the earthly circumstances and turning towards God in supplication.
- "remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart": This phrase encapsulates Hezekiah's appeal to God based on his faithful conduct. He is grounding his plea in his known devotion and sincerity, asking God to consider his righteous walk in their relationship. This is not self-justification but a basis for appealing to God's covenant faithfulness and mercy, recognizing that God delights in those who walk before Him in integrity.
Isaiah 38 3 Bonus Section
Hezekiah's plea, "remember how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart," resonates with the concept of seeking a good report from God, similar to David's cry in Psalm 26:1-2: "Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart." This underscores that a life lived in conscious awareness of God's presence and characterized by devotion is a valid basis for appeal in times of trouble, not as merit for salvation, but as an expression of covenant relationship. It highlights that God values integrity and a sincere heart, not mere outward piety. Furthermore, this prayer prefigures Christ's prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane where He commends Himself to the Father, "Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt" (Mark 14:36). While Hezekiah pleads for his life based on his past, Christ submits to the Father's will in His suffering. Both are profound examples of seeking God in extremis, rooted in relationship and submission to His divine plan.
Isaiah 38 3 Commentary
Hezekiah's prayer in Isaiah 38:3 is a model of sincere petition rooted in his faithful relationship with God. Facing imminent death, his instinct is not to question God, but to pour out his heart in remembrance of his life. He asks God to recall his walk of "truth" and "perfect heart." This doesn't imply Hezekiah was sinless, but that his overarching intention and orientation were towards God with integrity and undivided devotion. He is appealing to God based on the covenant God had made with Israel, a covenant that promised blessings for obedience. His plea is an act of faith, acknowledging God's sovereignty and His responsive nature to those who truly seek Him with their whole being. The power of this prayer lies in its authenticity and its grounding in a life lived with God's presence always in mind. It is an invitation for God to consider the consistent, earnest effort Hezekiah made to live according to His will.