Isaiah 38:15
New International Version
But what can I say? He has spoken to me, and he himself has done this. I will walk humbly all my years because of this anguish of my soul.

New Living Translation
But what could I say? For he himself sent this sickness. Now I will walk humbly throughout my years because of this anguish I have felt.

English Standard Version
What shall I say? For he has spoken to me, and he himself has done it. I walk slowly all my years because of the bitterness of my soul.

Berean Standard Bible
What can I say? He has spoken to me, and He Himself has done this. I will walk slowly all my years because of the anguish of my soul.

King James Bible
What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done it: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul.

New King James Version
“What shall I say? He has both spoken to me, And He Himself has done it. I shall walk carefully all my years In the bitterness of my soul.

New American Standard Bible
“What shall I say? For He has spoken to me, and He Himself has done it; I will walk quietly all my years because of the bitterness of my soul.

NASB 1995
“What shall I say? For He has spoken to me, and He Himself has done it; I will wander about all my years because of the bitterness of my soul.

NASB 1977
“What shall I say? For He has spoken to me, and He Himself has done it; I shall wander about all my years because of the bitterness of my soul.

Legacy Standard Bible
“What shall I say? Indeed, He has spoken to me, and He Himself has done it; I will wander about all my years because of the bitterness of my soul.

Amplified Bible
“What shall I say? For He has spoken to me, and He Himself has done it; I will wander aimlessly all my years because of the bitterness of my soul.

Christian Standard Bible
What can I say? He has spoken to me, and he himself has done it. I walk along slowly all my years because of the bitterness of my soul.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
What can I say? He has spoken to me, and He Himself has done it. I walk along slowly all my years because of the bitterness of my soul,

American Standard Version
What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done it: I shall go softly all my years because of the bitterness of my soul.

Contemporary English Version
There's nothing I can say in answer to you, since you are the one who has done this to me. My life has turned sour; I will limp until I die.

English Revised Version
What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done it: I shall go softly all my years because of the bitterness of my soul.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
What can I say now that he has spoken to me? He has done this. I will be careful the rest of my life because of my bitter experience.

Good News Translation
What can I say? The LORD has done this. My heart is bitter, and I cannot sleep.

International Standard Version
What can I say, so I tell myself, since he has done this to me? I will walk slowly all my years because of my soul's anguish.

Majority Standard Bible
What can I say? He has spoken to me, and He Himself has done this. I will walk slowly all my years because of the anguish of my soul.

NET Bible
What can I say? He has decreed and acted. I will walk slowly all my years because I am overcome with grief.

New Heart English Bible
What will I say? He has both spoken to me, and himself has done it. I will walk carefully all my years because of the anguish of my soul.

Webster's Bible Translation
What shall I say? he hath both spoken to me, and himself hath done it: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul.

World English Bible
What will I say? He has both spoken to me, and himself has done it. I will walk carefully all my years because of the anguish of my soul.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
What do I say? Seeing He spoke to me, "" And He Himself has worked, "" I go softly all my years for the bitterness of my soul.

Young's Literal Translation
-- What do I say? seeing He said to me, And He Himself hath wrought, I go softly all my years for the bitterness of my soul.

Smith's Literal Translation
What shall I speak? and he said to me, and he did: I shall go slowly all my years upon the bitterness of my soul.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
What shall I say, or what shall he answer for me, whereas he himself hath done it? I will recount to thee all my years in the bitterness of my soul.

Catholic Public Domain Version
What can I say, or what would he answer me, since he himself has done this? I will acknowledge to you all my years, in the bitterness of my soul.

New American Bible
What am I to say or tell him? He is the one who has done it! All my sleep has fled, because of the bitterness of my soul.

New Revised Standard Version
But what can I say? For he has spoken to me, and he himself has done it. All my sleep has fled because of the bitterness of my soul.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When the LORD is against men, shall they live? But because of the life of my spirit, heal me and make me to live.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And what shall I say? He has spoken to me, and he has acted and has chased away all sleep because of the bitterness of my soul
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
What shall I say? He hath both spoken unto me, And Himself hath done it; I shall go softly all my years for the bitterness of my soul.and removed the sorrow of my soul.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Hezekiah's Song of Thanksgiving
14I chirp like a swallow or crane; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weak as I look upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my security.” 15What can I say? He has spoken to me, and He Himself has done this. I will walk slowly all my years because of the anguish of my soul. 16O Lord, by such things men live, and in all of them my spirit finds life. You have restored me to health and have let me live.…

Cross References
Psalm 39:9
I have become mute; I do not open my mouth because of what You have done.

Job 7:11
Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

Lamentations 3:39
Why should any mortal man complain, in view of his sins?

Psalm 119:67
Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word.

Psalm 119:71
It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Hebrews 12:11
No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, / because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. / Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

1 Peter 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials / so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:3-5
Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; / perseverance, character; and character, hope. / And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

Psalm 116:12-14
How can I repay the LORD for all His goodness to me? / I will lift the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. / I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people.

Psalm 103:1-5
Of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul; all that is within me, bless His holy name. / Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His kind deeds— / He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases, ...

Psalm 30:11-12
You turned my mourning into dancing; You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, / that my heart may sing Your praises and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks forever.

2 Kings 20:3
“Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

2 Kings 20:5
“Go back and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. I will surely heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the house of the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

What shall I say? he has both spoken to me, and himself has done it: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul.

what

Joshua 7:8
O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies!

Ezra 9:10
And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments,

Psalm 39:9,10
I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it

I shall

1 Kings 21:27
And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.

in the

1 Samuel 1:10
And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.

2 Kings 4:27
And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.

Job 7:11
Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

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Anguish Bitterness Carefully Fled Humbly Side Sleep Sleeping Softly Soul Time Turning Walk Wander
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Anguish Bitterness Carefully Fled Humbly Side Sleep Sleeping Softly Soul Time Turning Walk Wander
Isaiah 38
1. Hezekiah, having received a message of death, by prayer has his life lengthened
8. The sun goes ten degrees backward, for a sign of that promise
9. His song of thanksgiving.














What can I say?
This phrase reflects a moment of introspection and humility. In the Hebrew context, it suggests a rhetorical question, indicating the speaker's acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. The phrase implies that human words are insufficient to fully express the depth of God's actions and decisions. It invites believers to recognize the limitations of human understanding in the face of divine will.

He has spoken to me
This highlights the personal nature of God's communication with His people. In the Hebrew tradition, God speaking directly to an individual signifies a profound and intimate relationship. It underscores the importance of listening to God's voice, which can come through scripture, prayer, or the Holy Spirit. This phrase encourages believers to be attentive and responsive to God's guidance in their lives.

and He Himself has done this
This phrase emphasizes God's active role in the events of the world and individual lives. The Hebrew root suggests a direct and purposeful action by God. It reassures believers of God's control and involvement in their circumstances, reinforcing the belief that nothing happens outside of His divine plan. This understanding calls for trust in God's wisdom and timing.

I will walk humbly all my years
Walking humbly is a recurring biblical theme, often associated with living a life of obedience and reverence to God. The Hebrew concept of "walking" implies a continuous, daily journey of faith. This phrase encourages believers to adopt a posture of humility, recognizing their dependence on God throughout their lives. It serves as a reminder to live in a way that honors God, acknowledging His authority and grace.

because of this anguish of my soul
The mention of "anguish" reflects the deep emotional and spiritual struggle faced by the speaker. In the Hebrew context, the soul represents the innermost being, encompassing emotions, thoughts, and will. This phrase acknowledges the reality of suffering and its role in shaping one's faith journey. It encourages believers to find purpose and growth through trials, trusting that God uses even the most painful experiences for His glory and their ultimate good.

(15) What shall I say?--With the same force as in 2Samuel 7:20; Hebrews 11:32. Words fail to express the wonder and the gratitude of the sufferer who has thus been rescued for the fulfilment which followed so immediately on the promise.

I shall go softly . . .--Better, That I should walk at ease upon (i.e., because of, or, as others take it, in spite of) the trouble of my soul. The verb is used in Psalm 42:4 of a festal procession to the Temple, but here refers simply to the journey of life, and implies that it is to be carried on to the end as with calm and considerate steps. The Authorised Version suggests wrongly the thought of a life-long bitterness.

Verse 15. - What shall I say? The strain is suddenly changed. Hezekiah's prayer has been answered, and he has received the answer (vers. 5-8). He is "at a loss to express his wonder and his gratitude" (Cheyne); comp. 2 Samuel 7:20. God has both spoken unto him - i.e., given him a promise of recovery - and also himself hath done it; i.e. has performed his promise. Already he feels in himself the beginnings of amendment - he is conscious that the worst is past, and that the malady has taken a turn for the better. I shall go softly all my years. Delitzsch renders, "I shall walk quietly;" Mr. Cheyne, "I shall walk at ease;" both apparently understanding the expression of a quiet, easy life, made the more pleasant by contrast with past pain. But it seems better to understand the "soft going," with Dr. Kay, of a hushed and subdued spirit, consequent upon the crisis past, and thenceforth continuing - the king walking, as it were, perpetually in God's presence. In the bitterness; rather, after the bitterness (Delitzsch), when it has departed; and "because of it" (Nagelsbach), through its remembrance.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
What
מָֽה־ (māh-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

can I say?
אֲדַבֵּ֥ר (’ă·ḏab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

He has spoken to me,
וְאָֽמַר־ (wə·’ā·mar-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

and He
וְה֣וּא (wə·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

Himself has done this.
עָשָׂ֑ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

I will walk slowly
אֶדַּדֶּ֥ה (’ed·dad·deh)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1718: Perhaps to move slowly

all
כָל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

my years
שְׁנוֹתַ֖י (šə·nō·w·ṯay)
Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8141: A year

because of
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the anguish
מַ֥ר (mar)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4751: Bitter, bitterness, bitterly

of my soul.
נַפְשִֽׁי׃ (nap̄·šî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 38:15 What will I say? He has both (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 38:14
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