Isaiah 38:13
I reckoned till morning, that as a Lyon so will hee breake all my bones: from day euen to night wilt thou make an end of me. Isaiah 38:13 (KJV)
Hezekiah’s prayer recorded in Isaiah 38 comes at a moment when the king was gravely ill and had just received a prophetic word from Isaiah that he would die. In response, Hezekiah turned to the Lord with a heartfelt petition for mercy and for a sign that his life would be extended. The verse is part of the larger song of thanksgiving (Isaiah 38:9‑20) that Hezekiah composed after God granted him additional years of life.
The vivid imagery of a lion breaking bones and the phrase “from day even to night” convey the intensity of his physical suffering and the unrelenting nature of his distress. While some readers note that this wording does not correspond exactly to the more commonly referenced wording of Isaiah 38:13 in the KJV, the metaphor powerfully expresses a sense of impending doom, vulnerability, and fear that accompanies severe illness.
Hezekiah’s words are a cry for help, an appeal to God’s compassion, and a declaration of trust in divine intervention. He asks God to remember his faithfulness, to grant him additional years, and to provide a sign of continued existence. This expression of distress is coupled with an acknowledgment of God’s deliverance and mercy, demonstrating that even amid deep anguish, the believer can turn raw emotion into worship.
The passage invites believers to bring their deepest fears and pains before the Lord, trusting that He can provide comfort, guidance, and, when possible, healing. It reminds us that in moments of great difficulty we may openly share our struggles while maintaining faith in God’s faithfulness. Hezekiah’s example underscores the importance of seeking God’s help, expressing honest emotion, and holding onto hope, even when circumstances appear hopeless.
Overall, this verse and its surrounding context highlight the human experience of suffering, the universal longing for divine rescue, and the biblical promise that God hears the cries of those who turn to Him in sincere faith.
