Isaiah 38:3
ESV
and said, "Please, O Lord, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
NIV
"Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
NASB
and said, 'Please, Lord, just remember how I have walked before You wholeheartedly and in truth, and have done what is good in Your sight.' And Hezekiah wept profusely.
CSB
He said, "Please, Lord, remember how I have walked before you faithfully and wholeheartedly, and have done what pleases you." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
NLT
Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.' Then he broke down and wept bitterly.
KJV
And said, Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
NKJV
and said, “Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
What does Isaiah 38:3 mean?
Hezekiah hears that his severe illness is fatal (Isaiah 38:1). He weeps in anguish, aware that his death would end his family line and threaten God's promise to David (2 Samuel 7:16). In this situation, many people would send for doctors, magicians, priests, and anyone else who might promise life. Instead, Hezekiah turns to the Lord immediately in prayer. He does not turn to other gods or schemes. He reminds the Lord of his faithful walk. This is not as a claim to perfection, but rather a plea grounded in sincere devotion (2 Kings 18:5–6).The Lord responds almost immediately (Isaiah 38:4–6), showing that this heartfelt prayer is what God desired. Some interpret this as a contradiction: that God predicted a death that did not happen. But the context says otherwise. God is gauging Hezekiah's response to dire news. As things stood, the condition was fatal—if nothing changed, Hezekiah would die. When the king prays, as God expected, the Lord expresses how that faith has earned the king more time, as God expected.
