Isaiah 38:17
ESV
Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back.
NIV
Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.
NASB
Behold, for my own welfare I had great bitterness; But You have kept my soul from the pit of nothingness, For You have hurled all my sins behind Your back.
CSB
Indeed, it was for my own well-being that I had such intense bitterness; but your love has delivered me from the Pit of destruction, for you have thrown all my sins behind your back.
NLT
Yes, this anguish was good for me, for you have rescued me from death and forgiven all my sins.
KJV
Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
NKJV
Indeed it was for my own peace That I had great bitterness; But You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, For You have cast all my sins behind Your back.
What does Isaiah 38:17 mean?
Hezekiah now celebrates healing. His earlier angst came from the idea of dying young (Isaiah 38:10) of a terminal disease (Isaiah 38:1). Scripture is not specific about the condition, though it refers to something resembling a boil (Isaiah 38:21) which may indicate a tumor. Even those who sincerely trust in God can be discouraged when life and health are in decline (Isaiah 38:11–14). The Lord responded to Hezekiah's humble prayer (Isaiah 38:2–5) which inspired the king to write this psalm (Isaiah 38:9).Here, the king expresses something non-believers find impossible to understand (1 Corinthians 2:14). Hardship and suffering can be for our good. In this case, impending death drove Hezekiah to deeper dependence on the Lord. It clarified the immense blessings which God had given to him up to that point. Rather than feeling entitled, Hezekiah responds with gratitude and a renewed commitment to praising the Lord (Isaiah 38:18–20). Similar themes are seen in Psalm 103:2–5 as expressed by David.
