The Church Fathers on this verse

Isaiah 38:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And said: I beseech thee, O Lord, remember how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Ezechias wept with great weeping.

Douay-Rheims

וַיֹּאמַ֗ר אָנָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ זְכָר־נָ֞א אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁ֧ר הִתְהַלַּ֣כְתִּי לְפָנֶ֗יךָ בֶּֽאֱמֶת֙ וּבְלֵ֣ב שָׁלֵ֔ם וְהַטּ֥וֹב בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ עָשִׂ֑יתִי וַיֵּ֥בְךְּ חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ בְּכִ֥י גָדֽוֹל׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

7 Church Fathers comment on this verse

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

O Lord, recall how I live in Your presence with sincerity and a pure heart, striving to do what pleases You. And Hezekiah shed abundant tears (Isaiah 38:3). He did not place his confidence in his own righteousness, for he envisioned greater realities than mere suffering. He speaks of being 'before Thee' not out of pride or to seek human acclaim, but with a sincere heart. His tears serve as a demonstration of his deep longing not only for righteousness but also for the salvation promised through God's mercy. It is evident that he does not speak at length; instead, he reveals the devotion of his heart. Thus, everything converges here.

Cyrill of Alexandria

5th centuryChurch Father

The courage of the just is remarkable, as if they are seeking a reward for their deeds and the outcomes of their virtuous lives. The Almighty rejoices in those who adhere to His commandments and readily responds to the pleas of those who strive to live righteously, especially when He witnesses their sorrow and intensified prayers.

Ephraem the Syrian

4th centuryChurch Father

He likely expressed this due to witnessing rulers who governed unjustly, yet their offspring ascended to inherit their crown.

Jerome of Stridon

4th centuryChurch Father

During that time, Hezekiah fell gravely ill, nearing death. The prophet Isaiah, son of Amos, visited him and conveyed the Lord's message: "Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live." Hezekiah then turned his face toward the wall and earnestly prayed to the Lord, pleading, "Remember now, O Lord, how I have walked before You in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in Your sight." Hezekiah wept bitterly. The Lord loves those whom He disciplines; He scourges every son whom He accepts (Proverbs 3:12). In the midst of Hezekiah's significant victories, he was struck by illness, a reminder not to let his heart grow proud, prompting him to turn back to the Lord to avert His judgment.

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This is illustrated in the account of Jonah and the warnings God gave to David—warnings that did not come to pass, not because God alters His decree, but to draw humanity closer to Himself. For He is the Lord, who relents from bringing calamity (2 Chronicles 36:28, Prayer of Manasseh v. 6, Joel 2:13, Jonah 4:2).

Hezekiah faced the wall because he could not go to the temple. This wall was likely near the temple where Solomon built a palace, serving as a private space for his tears, or perhaps, as suggested by Jeremiah's reference to the heart as a 'wall,' it signified his deepest thoughts, where he could earnestly plead with the Lord. He exclaimed, "Remember, O Lord, I beg You, how I have walked before You in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done good in Your sight." Upon learning he was to die, he did not implore for numerous years of life, but accepted God's judgment, recognizing that Solomon pleased God in his request for wisdom instead of long life. He brought forth his deeds, asserting his faithfulness before God. Truly, blessed is the conscience that recalls its good works in times of trial, for blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Matt. 5:8). Moreover, it is stated: "Who can claim to have a pure heart?" (Proverbs 20:9). This indicates that Hezekiah was considered pure of heart for his demolishing of idols, destroying the vessels of Baal’s temple, and breaking the bronze serpent among other righteous acts documented in Scripture (4 Sam. 18:3-5, 2 Ch. 29-31).

He wept abundantly over the promise made to David, perceiving it as threatened by the impending death of his son, Hezekiah, since he had no heirs at the time, and following his death, Manasseh, just twelve years old, took the throne in Judah (2 Chronicles 33:1). This implies that Manasseh was born after Hezekiah's life was extended. Thus, Hezekiah's lament was rooted in the fear of losing the lineage from which Christ would come. Some argue that the most devout fear death due to the uncertainties surrounding God’s judgment and the fate they may face thereafter. The matters of fate and necessity are not predetermined for all, but hinge upon God's will for reasons known only to Him, leading to life or death. Especially as we recognize that many have been raised from the dead after their demise.

Cyrill of Jerusalem

4th centuryChurch Father

Would you like to understand the power of true repentance? Are you curious about the might of salvation and the significance of confession? By means of Hezekiah's confession, a staggering one hundred and eighty-five thousand of the enemy were routed (1 Kings 19:35). Although this act is impressive, it pales in comparison to the deeper truths to be explored. Through his repentance, he averted the Divine judgment that had been decreed. In his illness, Isaiah conveyed a message to him: Set your house in order, for you shall surely die and not recover (1 Kings 20:1). After such a declaration, can we realistically anticipate healing? Yet, Hezekiah did not abandon his repentance.

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Remembering the words from Scripture: In repentance and rest is your salvation (Isaiah 30:15), he turned to the wall, directing his thoughts heavenward (for the solidity of walls does not hinder earnest prayers), and he pleaded: O Lord, remember me (1 Samuel 20:3). He understood that to be healed, it sufficed to bring Him to mind. God is not bound by time; He is the author of life itself. Our existence is not dictated by the movement of celestial bodies, as some may suggest, but rather it is You who, in Your sovereignty, decides who lives and when. Remarkably, to the one whom the prophet proclaimed had no chance of surviving, an additional fifteen years of life were granted, signified by the sun moving backward in its course.

Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)

19th centuryChurch Father

Why was King Hezekiah raised from the brink of death by the Prophet Isaiah and granted an additional fifteen years of life? Was it intended that the remarkable demonstration of faith would reach the unfaithful realm of Babylon, leading to a perilous but affectionate embassy that tempted the King towards pride, serving as a prelude to foreboding events? This was not the essence of Hezekiah's prayers and tears. "O Lord," he pleaded, "remember that I walk before Thee in truth and with a whole heart, and have done what is right in Thy sight." God responded to him through the Prophet, saying, "I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; behold, I will heal you" (4 Kings 20:3, 5). Thus, this act was a testament to God's profound mercy and graciousness, rewarding Hezekiah for his faith and righteousness; it also served to strengthen the feeble faith of other believers, encouraging them to cultivate a robust trust in God.

Vissarion (Nechaev)

19th centuryCommentator

What did Hezekiah beseech of the Lord? Given that his supplication was granted and his days were extended, it is reasonable to infer that he sought a delay from the decree of death. In his prayer, he acknowledged before God that he had been devoted in his service (with integrity) and genuine in his devotion (with a sincere heart), performing actions that pleased the Lord—specifically, his fervent efforts to restore reverence for God and to eradicate the idolatry that had flourished during his father Ahaz's reign. With profound sorrow, Hezekiah wept bitterly. From the extensive prayer of Hezekiah, which is absent from the parimia (Isaiah 38:10-20), it is clear that he was deeply distressed at the thought of departing from life and losing the chance to glorify God. According to Blessed Jerome, Hezekiah's sorrow was further intensified by the absence of an heir, leading him to worry that the lineage of David, from which the Messiah would arise, might be extinguished.

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