Isaiah 38:20

Isaiah 38:20 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

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

Bible in Basic English BBE

O Lord, quickly be my saviour; so we will make my songs to corded instruments all the days of our lives in the house of the Lord.

Free Bible Version FBV

The Lord saved me! We will sing my songs with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the Lord's Temple.”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

The Lord was ready to saue me: therefore we will sing my song, all the dayes of our life in the House of the Lord.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Like myself to-day — a father to sons Doth make known of Thy faithfulness, O Jehovah — to save me: And my songs we sing all days of our lives In the house of Jehovah.'

World English Bible WEB

The LORD will save me. Therefore we will sing my songs with stringed instruments all the days of our life in the LORD’s house.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

O Lord, save me, and we will sing our psalms all the days of our life in the house of the Lord.

Translation for Translators T4T

I know that Yahweh will fully heal me, so I will sing to praise him while others praise him playing musical instruments; I will do that every day of my life, in the temple of Yahweh.”

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights

God & Jesus

Holy Spirit

Divine Actions

Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 38:20

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Isaiah 38:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB יְהוָ֖ה לְ/הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑/נִי וּ/נְגִנוֹתַ֧י נְנַגֵּ֛ן כָּל יְמֵ֥י חַיֵּ֖י/נוּ עַל בֵּ֥ית יְהוָֽה

יְהוָ֖ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

לְ/הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑/נִי yâshaʻ H3467 to save Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff

וּ/נְגִנוֹתַ֧י nᵉgîynâh H5058 music Conj | N-fp

נְנַגֵּ֛ן nâgan H5059 to play V-Piel-Imperf-1cp

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

יְמֵ֥י yôwm H3117 day N-mp

חַיֵּ֖י/נוּ chay H2416 alive N-mp | Suff

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

בֵּ֥ית bayith H1004 place N-ms

יְהוָֽה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 38:20

יְהוָ֖ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

לְ/הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑/נִי yâshaʻ H3467 "to save" Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff

Means to save or be delivered, used in the Bible to describe being freed from danger or trouble, like in battle or from moral struggles, as seen in the Psalms and Proverbs.

Definition: 1) to save, be saved, be delivered 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be liberated, be saved, be delivered 1a2) to be saved (in battle), be victorious 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to save, deliver 1b2) to save from moral troubles 1b3) to give victory to

Usage: Occurs in 198 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save(-iour), get victory. See also: Exodus 2:17; Psalms 55:17; Psalms 3:8.

וּ/נְגִנוֹתַ֧י nᵉgîynâh H5058 "music" Conj | N-fp

This word refers to music or song, especially instrumental music played on a stringed instrument. In the Bible, it is used to describe the music played by musicians or the songs sung by worshipers.

Definition: 1) music, song, taunt song 1a) music (of stringed instrument) 1b) song 1b1) taunting or mocking song

Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: stringed instrument, musick, Neginoth (plural), song. See also: Job 30:9; Psalms 69:13; Psalms 4:1.

נְנַגֵּ֛ן nâgan H5059 "to play" V-Piel-Imperf-1cp

This word means to play a musical instrument, especially a stringed one. In the Bible, it is used to describe musicians who play instruments, such as harps or lyres, to make music or sing songs.

Definition: 1) to play or strike strings, play a stringed instrument 1a) (Qal) 1a1) player (participle) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to play 1b1a) player, minstrel (participle)

Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: player on instruments, sing to the stringed instruments, melody, ministrel, play(-er, -ing). See also: 1 Samuel 16:16; 2 Kings 3:15; Psalms 33:3.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

יְמֵ֥י yôwm H3117 "day" N-mp

The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.

Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow

Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.

חַיֵּ֖י/נוּ chay H2416 "alive" N-mp | Suff

In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.

Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)

Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.

עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

בֵּ֥ית bayith H1004 "place" N-ms

The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.

Definition: nm place, origin, between

Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.

יְהוָֽה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

Study Notes — Isaiah 38:20

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Isaiah 38:20 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 38:20
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 38:20
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 38:20
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 38:20
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 38:20
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 38:20
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 38:20
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 38:20
Sermons on Isaiah 38:20

Context — Hezekiah’s Song of Thanksgiving

18For Sheol cannot thank You; Death cannot praise You. Those who descend to the Pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness. 19The living, only the living, can thank You, as I do today; fathers will tell their children about Your faithfulness.

20The LORD will save me; we will play songs on stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the house of the LORD.

21Now Isaiah had said, “Prepare a lump of pressed figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover.” 22And Hezekiah had asked, “What will be the sign that I will go up to the house of the LORD?”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Psalms 116:2	Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.
2	Psalms 150:4	Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute.
3	Psalms 145:2	Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever.
4	Habakkuk 3:19	GOD the Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer; He makes me walk upon the heights! For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments.
5	Psalms 51:15	O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.
6	Psalms 116:17–19	I will offer to You a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people, in the courts of the LORD’s house, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah!
7	Psalms 27:5–6	For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be held high above my enemies around me. At His tabernacle I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
8	Psalms 68:25	The singers lead the way, the musicians follow after, among the maidens playing tambourines.
9	Psalms 30:11–12	You turned my mourning into dancing; You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing Your praises and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks forever.
10	Psalms 66:13–15	I will enter Your house with burnt offerings; I will fulfill my vows to You— the vows that my lips promised and my mouth spoke in my distress. I will offer You fatlings as burnt offerings, with the fragrant smoke of rams; I will offer bulls and goats. Selah

Isaiah 38:20 Summary

[Isaiah 38:20 is a beautiful expression of trust and worship. Hezekiah says that God will save him, and because of that, he will spend the rest of his life singing and playing music to praise God. This verse reminds us that when we trust in God's salvation, we can live a life of joyful worship, just like the Psalmist says in Psalms 13:5-6, where he says, 'But I have trusted in Your loving devotion; my heart will rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me.']

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to 'play songs on stringed instruments' in this verse?

In Isaiah 38:20, playing songs on stringed instruments is a metaphor for joyful worship and praise to God, similar to the Psalmist's expression in Psalms 92:3, where he says, 'I will thank You, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds.'

How can we be sure that the Lord will save us, as Hezekiah says in this verse?

The assurance of salvation comes from trusting in God's faithfulness, as stated in Lamentations 3:22-23, where it says, 'Because of the LORD’s faithful love we are not consumed, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.'

What is the significance of 'the house of the LORD' in this verse?

The house of the LORD refers to the temple in Jerusalem, which was a symbol of God's presence among His people, as seen in 1 Kings 8:13, where Solomon says, 'I have built the house of the LORD’s dwelling, a place for Him to reside forever.'

How can we apply this verse to our daily lives?

We can apply Isaiah 38:20 by making worship and praise a part of our daily lives, just as the Psalmist says in Psalms 100:2, 'Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.'

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I can express my gratitude to God for saving me, just like Hezekiah did in this verse?
How can I make sure that my worship is not just limited to Sundays, but is a part of my everyday life, as Isaiah 38:20 suggests?
What are some 'stringed instruments' in my life that I can use to praise God, whether that be through music, art, or other forms of creative expression?
In what ways can I share my story of God's faithfulness with others, just like Hezekiah wanted to do in Isaiah 38:19?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 38:20

The Lord was ready to save me,.... Or, "the Lord to save me (y)"; he was at hand to save him; he was both able and willing to save him; he was a present help in time of need; he arose for his help,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 38:20

The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness: -The prayer and thanksgiving song of Hezekiah is only given here, not in the parallel passages of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Verse 9.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 38:20

Was ready to save me; was a present help to me, ready to hear and succour me upon my prayer in my great extremity. We; both I and my people, who are concerned in me, and for me will sing forth those songs of praise which are due especially from me, for God’ s great mercy to me. Will sing my songs to the stringed instruments, according to the custom of those times.

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 38:20

Isaiah 38:20 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.Ver. 20. The Lord was ready to save.] Heb., The Lord to save. Servati sumus ut serviamus. Hezekiah was the better for his sickness: God had brought health out of it, as he doth out of all his, by bringing the body of death into a consumption. Therefore we will sing my songs.] Quales quaeso illi? saith Scultetus; what kind of songs would he sing in the house of the Lord and in the hearing of all the people, as long as he had a day to live? Surely this here recorded among and above the rest, though it set forth his queritations and infirmities: Deprimunt se sancti ut Deus exaltetur. The saints gladly abase themselves, if thereby God may be exalted.

Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 38:20

(20) Was ready.—Better, as fitting in with the praise and hope of the close of the prayer, is ready.We will sing.—The king identifies himself with the great congregation, perhaps even yet more closely with the Levite minstrels of the Temple whom he had done so much to train and re-organise.

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 38:20

20. Perhaps a liturgical appendix, adapting the psalm for congregational use. Hence the transition from 1st pers. sing, to 1st pers. plu. we will sing … instruments] Rather, we will play with string music (“we” including the Levites or the congregation). The word for “string music” is Nìgînôth, which occurs frequently in the headings of the Psalms. Here and in Habakkuk 3:9 it has the suffix of 1st pers. sing. (“my”), which it is very difficult to explain.

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 38:20

The Lord was ready to save me - He was prompt, quick to save me. He did not hesitate or delay. Therefore we will sing my songs - That is, my family and nation.

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 38:20

20. The Lord was ready to save me — Did not delay when the king’s moral condition of submission was to all obvious.

Sermons on Isaiah 38:20

	Sermon	Description
	Are You Ready? by J.C. Ryle	J.C. Ryle challenges his audience to reflect on their readiness for the uncertainties of the new year, emphasizing the inevitability of sickness, affliction, bereavement, death, an
	Christ Magnified in My Body 1 by Leonard Ravenhill	Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the profound truth that Christ should be magnified in our bodies, regardless of our circumstances, as illustrated by Paul's unwavering faith and joy ev
	Let the Righteous Smite Me by Carter Conlon	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the theme of freedom in Christ. He encourages the congregation to rejoice in their freedom from the devil's influence and to boldly proclaim
	On Eagles' Wings Pt 6 by Don Courville	In this sermon, the preacher Evan Roberts delivers a message from God to his fellow members. He emphasizes the importance of confessing known sins to God and making amends for any
	Exposition on Psalm 146 by St. Augustine	St. Augustine preaches on the importance of praising God in times of trouble, encouraging the soul to find hope and joy in God's promises. He emphasizes the superiority of the soul
	(Through the Bible) Habakkuk by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the speaker expresses sadness over the careless behavior of people who litter and leave debris on the ground. He reflects on the corruption that man has brought upo
	Surefootedness by C.H. Spurgeon	C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the strength and surefootedness that God provides to His people, as illustrated in Habakkuk 3:19. He explains that faith in God's promises allows believers