What does Isaiah 38:20 mean?
"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." - Isaiah 38:20

The verse Isaiah 38:20 from the King James Version of the Bible reads: "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."
This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Isaiah that recounts the story of King Hezekiah's illness and miraculous recovery. Hezekiah, the king of Judah, became seriously ill and was on the brink of death. He prayed to the Lord for healing, and the Lord responded by extending his life and delivering him from his illness. In response to this divine intervention, Hezekiah composed a poem expressing his gratitude and praise for God's mercy and deliverance.
The verse captures a moment of profound gratitude and joy. It is a declaration of devotion and commitment to praising and serving the Lord for the rest of one's life. This sentiment is expressed through the imagery of singing songs with stringed instruments in the house of the Lord. Music and singing have long been integral to religious worship and expression of faith in the Judeo-Christian tradition, and the use of stringed instruments adds a layer of beauty and depth to the act of praise.
One of the key themes of this verse is gratitude. Hezekiah's words reflect a deep sense of thankfulness for the Lord's intervention in his life. The gratitude is not limited to a one-time expression, but rather extends to a commitment to praise and serve the Lord for the rest of his days. This theme of gratitude is a timeless and universal concept that resonates with readers across different eras and cultures.
Another important theme in this verse is the concept of faithfulness and devotion to God. Hezekiah's declaration to sing songs of praise in the house of the Lord for the rest of his life reflects a profound commitment to his faith. This commitment is not contingent upon the moment of deliverance alone, but rather extends to a lifelong dedication to worship and serve the Lord.
The context of this verse is significant in understanding its full meaning. The story of Hezekiah's illness and recovery is a powerful demonstration of God's ability to intervene in human affairs and bring about miraculous deliverance. It serves as a reminder of the sovereignty and power of God, as well as the importance of faith and trust in Him. Hezekiah's response to his healing is a testament to his unwavering faith and devotion to the Lord, even in the face of great adversity.
Symbolism also plays a significant role in this verse. The act of singing songs with stringed instruments in the house of the Lord represents a joyful and purposeful expression of praise and worship. Music has the power to evoke strong emotions and can serve as a means of connecting with the divine. The use of stringed instruments adds an element of beauty and artistry to the act of worship, highlighting the importance of creativity and expression in the service of God.
In conclusion, Isaiah 38:20 is a rich and profound verse that encapsulates themes of gratitude, devotion, and the power of faith. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of acknowledging and praising God for His mercies and blessings, and the enduring commitment to a life of worship and service to the Lord. The verse resonates with believers as a source of inspiration and as a reminder of the significance of faith in the face of adversity.
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Isaiah 38:20 Artwork
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."
"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." - Isaiah 38:20
Isaiah 38:4 - "¶ Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying,"
Isaiah 38:17
"¶ Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying," - Isaiah 38:4
Isaiah 38:21 - "For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaister upon the boil, and he shall recover."
Isaiah 38:2 - "Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,"
Luke 20:38 - "For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him."
Exodus 38:20 - "And all the pins of the tabernacle, and of the court round about, were of brass."
Luke 20:27-38. All people of color.
Isaiah 38:6 - "And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city."
Psalms 38:20 - "They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is."
Isaiah 38:9 - "¶ The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness:"
Isaiah 38:22 - "Hezekiah also had said, What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?"
Isaiah 38:7 - "And this shall be a sign unto thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken;"
Job 38:20 - "That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?"
1 Kings 20:38 - "So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face."
Isaiah 38:18 - "For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth."
Isaiah 38:1 - "In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live."
Isaiah 38:19 - "The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth."
Genesis 38:20 - "And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman's hand: but he found her not."
Isaiah 38:11 - "I said, I shall not see the LORD, even the LORD, in the land of the living: I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world."
Isaiah 38:10 - "I said in the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave: I am deprived of the residue of my years."
Acts 20:38 - "Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship."
1 Samuel 20:38 - "And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master."
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."
Judges 20:38 - "Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke rise up out of the city."
"For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him." - Luke 20:38
"And all the pins of the tabernacle, and of the court round about, were of brass." - Exodus 38:20
"For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaister upon the boil, and he shall recover." - Isaiah 38:21