Isaiah 38:13

Modern

I composed myself until the morning. Like a lion He breaks all my bones; from day until night You make an end of me.

Traditional

I reckoned till morning, that, as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.

Literal

I composed myself until morning; like a lion, thus He breaks all my bones; from day until night You make an end of me.

Latin

Sperabam usque ad mane; quasi leo, sic contrivit omnia ossa mea: de mane usque ad vesperam finies me.

Hebrew

English

I composed myself until the morning. Like a lion He breaks all my bones; from day until night You make an end of me.

Hezekiah’s poem includes both lament (Isaiah 38:9–14) and praise (38:15–20). The praise remains restrained until the final verse.

Theme notes and profiles

Psalm 51:8
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice.
Daniel 6:24
At the command of the king, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions—they and their children and wives. And before they had reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
1 Kings 13:24–26
As he went on his way, a lion met him on the road and killed him, and his body was left lying in the road, with the donkey and the lion standing beside it.
Job 10:16–17
Should I hold my head high, You would hunt me like a lion, and again display Your power against me.
Hosea 5:14
For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them to pieces and then go away. I will carry them off where no one can rescue them.
1 Corinthians 11:30–32
That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.
Psalm 39:10
Remove Your scourge from me; I am perishing by the force of Your hand.
Job 16:12–14
I was at ease, but He shattered me; He seized me by the neck and crushed me. He has set me up as His target;
Psalm 50:22
Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:
1 Kings 20:36
Then the prophet said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, as soon as you depart from me a lion will kill you.” And when he left, a lion found him and killed him.