Isaiah 38:14

Modern

I 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.”

Traditional

Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me.

Literal

Like a swallow or crane, so I chirp; I moan like a dove; my eyes are worn out from up high. O Lord, oppression is unto me; be my security!”

Latin

Sicut pullus hirundinis, sic clamabo; meditabor ut columba. Attenuati sunt oculi mei, suspicientes in excelsum. Domine, vim patior: responde pro me.

Hebrew

English

I 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.”

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

Isaiah 59:11
We all growl like bears and moan like doves. We hope for justice, but find none, for salvation, but it is far from us.
Psalm 69:3
I am weary from my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.
Psalm 123:1–4
A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven.
Ezekiel 7:16
The survivors will escape and live in the mountains, moaning like doves of the valley, each for his own iniquity.
Job 30:29
I have become a brother of jackals, a companion of ostriches.
Nahum 2:7
It is decreed that the city be exiled and carried away; her maidservants moan like doves, and beat upon their breasts.
Psalm 119:122–123
Ensure Your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me.
Psalm 102:4–7
My heart is afflicted, and withered like grass; I even forget to eat my bread.
Psalm 143:7
Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide Your face from me, or I will be like those who descend to the Pit.
Lamentations 4:17
All the while our eyes were failing as we looked in vain for help. We watched from our towers for a nation that could not save us.
Psalm 119:82
My eyes fail, looking for Your promise; I ask, “When will You comfort me?”
Job 17:3
Give me, I pray, the pledge You demand. Who else will be my guarantor?

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God