Isaiah 38:18
ESV
For Sheol does not thank you; death does not praise you; those who go down to the pit do not hope for your faithfulness.
NIV
For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness.
NASB
For Sheol cannot thank You, Death cannot praise You; Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness.
CSB
For Sheol cannot thank you; Death cannot praise you. Those who go down to the Pit cannot hope for your faithfulness.
NLT
For the dead cannot praise you; they cannot raise their voices in praise. Those who go down to the grave can no longer hope in your faithfulness.
KJV
For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.
NKJV
For Sheol cannot thank You, Death cannot praise You; Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your truth.
What does Isaiah 38:18 mean?
When he was given a terminal diagnosis (Isaiah 38:1), king Hezekiah responded with normal human emotions such as discouragement (Isaiah 38:10–15). These feelings are recorded in a psalm (Isaiah 38:9) inspired by this unique series of events. Almost as soon as the bad news was delivered, the Lord responded to Hezekiah's sincere prayer with a promise of fifteen more years of life (Isaiah 38:2–5). One of the main lessons Hezekiah took from this was that his illness brought him a net gain. He became more dependent on the Lord, closer to Him, and more aware of his own blessings.In this verse, the king notes that the living can still praise God. Since Hezekiah will continue to live, he can bring a renewed joy to worshipping the Lord (Isaiah 38:19–20). The ability to continue in praise of God is one of the main reasons Hezekiah appreciates his rescue.
