Song of Thanksgiving

 Hezekiah’s Song of Thanksgiving

ISAIAH 38:9-20

Canticle of Hezekiah, king of Judah, after his illness and recovery:

I said: In the noontime of my life I must depart; I am consigned to the gates of the Underworld for the rest of my years.

I said: Never again will I see the LORD in the land of the living; never again will I look upon man among the inhabitants of the earth.

My dwelling, like a shepherd’s tent, has been pulled down and removed from me; like a weaver, you have rolled up my life, and you have cut me off from the loom; from day to night you bring my life to an end.

I cried for help until morning; like a lion, he has broken all my bones; from day to night you bring my life to an end.

I utter shrill cries like a swallow or a crane, I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weary as I look up to the heavens; O LORD, I am troubled, come to my help!

But, how can I speak and what shall I say to him? He himself has done this. I will walk humbly all my years despite the anguish of my soul.

O LORD, because of you, men live; restore my health and give me life. You restored me to health and let me live.

Then my anguish turned into peace, for you have retrieved my life from the pit of corruption, you have cast all my sins behind your back.

For the Underworld cannot give you thanks, death cannot give you praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your kindness.

The living, the living alone can give you praise, as I do today; fathers tell their sons about your fidelity.

O LORD, come and save me. we will sing with stringed instruments in the Temple of the LORD all the days of our life.

-ISAIAH 38:9-20