Isaiah 38:14
ESV
Like a swallow or a crane I chirp; I moan like a dove. My eyes are weary with looking upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my pledge of safety!
NIV
I cried like a swift or thrush, I moaned like a mourning dove. My eyes grew weak as I looked to the heavens. I am being threatened; Lord, come to my aid!"
NASB
Like a swallow, like a crane, so I twitter; I moan like a dove; My eyes look wistfully to the heights; Lord, I am oppressed, be my security.
CSB
I chirp like a swallow or a crane; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weak looking upward. Lord, I am oppressed; support me.
NLT
Delirious, I chattered like a swallow or a crane, and then I moaned like a mourning dove. My eyes grew tired of looking to heaven for help. I am in trouble, Lord. Help me!'
KJV
Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me.
NKJV
Like a crane or a swallow, so I chattered; I mourned like a dove; My eyes fail from looking upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; Undertake for me!
What does Isaiah 38:14 mean?
Hezekiah compares his weak prayers to the cries of fragile birds. Such animals were used as part of temple sacrifices (Leviticus 14:4–7) so such sounds would have been commonly understood. He is exhausted and helpless (Isaiah 38:12–13) but continues to plead for rescue. This was his response to learning that his illness was terminal (Isaiah 38:1). He feels "oppressed," which in this context means a sense of being dominated and subjected to cruelty. Prior verses mourned all that an early death would cost the king (Isaiah 38:10–11).Despite dire news, Hezekiah begs the Lord for rescue. The Hebrew phrase is simply 'orbē ni, a plea to be supported, or rescued, or protected. In these phrases, the king acknowledges that the Lord both allows his suffering and remains his only hope of healing. He does not claim innocence—only asks for mercy. The latter part of Hezekiah's psalm (Isaiah 38:17) explains his new understanding, that the Lord used this sickness to bring Hezekiah closer to Himself.
