Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I cried like a swift or thrush, I moaned like a mourning dove. My eyes grew weak as I looked to the heavens. I am being threatened; Lord, come to my aid!” New Living Translation Delirious, I chattered like a swallow or a crane, and then I moaned like a mourning dove. My eyes grew tired of looking to heaven for help. I am in trouble, Lord. Help me!” English Standard Version Like a swallow or a crane I chirp; I moan like a dove. My eyes are weary with looking upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my pledge of safety! Berean Standard Bible 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.” Berean Literal Bible 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!” King James Bible 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. New King James Version Like a crane or a swallow, so I chattered; I mourned like a dove; My eyes fail from looking upward. O LORD, I am oppressed; Undertake for me! New American Standard Bible “Like a swallow, like a crane, so I twitter; I moan like a dove; My eyes look wistfully to the heights; Lord, I am oppressed, be my security. NASB 1995 “Like a swallow, like a crane, so I twitter; I moan like a dove; My eyes look wistfully to the heights; O Lord, I am oppressed, be my security. NASB 1977 “Like a swallow, like a crane, so I twitter; I moan like a dove; My eyes look wistfully to the heights; O Lord, I am oppressed, be my security. Legacy Standard Bible Like a swallow, like a crane, so I chirped; I moan like a dove; My eyes look wistfully to the heights; O Lord, I am oppressed, be my security. Amplified Bible “Like a swallow, like a crane, so I chirp; I coo like a dove. My eyes look wistfully upward; O Lord, I am oppressed, take my side and be my security. Berean Annotated Bible I chirp like a swallow or crane; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weak as I look upward. O Lord {Adonai}, I am oppressed; be my security. Christian Standard Bible I chirp like a swallow or a crane; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weak looking upward. Lord, I am oppressed; support me. Holman Christian Standard Bible I chirp like a swallow or a crane; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weak looking upward. Lord, I am oppressed; support me. American Standard Version Like a swallow or a crane, so did I chatter; I did moan as a dove; mine eyes fail with looking upward: O Lord, I am oppressed, be thou my surety. Contemporary English Version I cry like a swallow; I mourn like a dove. My eyes are red from looking to you, LORD. I am in terrible trouble. Please come and help me. English Revised Version Like a swallow or a crane, so did I chatter; I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward; O LORD, I am oppressed, be thou my surety. GOD'S WORD® Translation I chirped like swallows and cranes. I cooed like doves. My eyes were tired from looking up to heaven. I've suffered miserably, O Lord! Please help me! Good News Translation My voice was thin and weak, And I moaned like a dove. My eyes grew tired from looking to heaven. LORD, rescue me from all this trouble. International Standard Version Like a swallow or a crane I chirp, I moan like a dove. My eyes look weakly upward. O Lord, I am oppressed, so stand up for me! NET Bible Like a swallow or a thrush I chirp, I coo like a dove; my eyes grow tired from looking up to the sky. O sovereign master, I am oppressed; help me! New Heart English Bible I chip like a swallow or a thrush. I moan like a dove. My eyes weaken looking upward.LORD, I am oppressed. Be my security." Webster's Bible Translation Like a crane or a swallow, so I chattered: I mourned as a dove: my eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleI 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.” World English Bible I chattered like a swallow or a crane. I moaned like a dove. My eyes weaken looking upward. Lord, I am oppressed. Be my security.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAs a crane—a swallow—so I chatter, "" I mourn as a dove, "" My eyes have been drawn up on high, "" O YHWH, oppression [is] on me, be my guarantor. Berean Literal Bible 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!” Young's Literal Translation As a crane -- a swallow -- so I chatter, I mourn as a dove, Drawn up have been mine eyes on high, O Jehovah, oppression is on me, be my surety. Smith's Literal Translation As the twittering swallow so shall I chirp: I shall murmur as the dove: mine eyes languished for height: O Jehovah, oppression is to me; be surety for me. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleI will cry like a young swallow, I will meditate like a dove: my eyes are weakened looking upward: Lord, I suffer violence, answer thou for me. Catholic Public Domain Version I will cry out, like a young swallow. I will meditate, like a dove. My eyes have been weakened by gazing upward. O Lord, I suffer violence! Answer in my favor. New American Bible Like a swallow I chirp; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weary looking heavenward: Lord, I am overwhelmed; go security for me! New Revised Standard Version Like a swallow or a crane I clamor, I moan like a dove. My eyes are weary with looking upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my security! Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhat shall I say? He has both spoken to me, and himself has done it, and has caused my sleep to flee because of the bitterness of my soul; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Like a swallow that chirps, I chirped, and like a dove I mourned. I have lifted my eyes on high. LORD JEHOVAH, save me and cheer me up! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Like a swallow or a crane, so do I chatter, I do moan as a dove; Mine eyes fail with looking upward. O LORD, I am oppressed, be Thou my surety. Brenton Septuagint Translation As a swallow, so will I cry, and as a dove, so do I mourn: for mine eyes have failed with looking to the height of heaven to the Lord, who has delivered me, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Hezekiah's Song of Thanksgiving…13I composed myself until the morning. Like a lion He breaks all my bones; from day until night You make an end of me. 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.… Cross References I chirp like a swallow or crane; Jeremiah 8:7 Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons. The turtledove, the swift, and the thrush keep their time of migration, but My people do not know the requirements of the LORD. Psalm 84:3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she places her young near Your altars, O LORD of Hosts, my King and my God. I moan like a dove. 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. Ezekiel 7:16 The survivors will escape and live in the mountains, moaning like doves of the valley, each for his own iniquity. Nahum 2:7 It is decreed that the city be exiled and carried away; her maidservants moan like doves, and beat upon their breasts. My eyes grow weak as I look upward. Psalm 123:1-2 A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven. / As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes are on the LORD our God until He shows us mercy. Psalm 38:10 My heart pounds, my strength fails, and even the light of my eyes has faded. Psalm 69:3 I am weary from my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. O Lord, I am oppressed; Psalm 56:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack. Psalm 119:134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Your precepts. Psalm 9:9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. be my security.” Psalm 119:122 Ensure Your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me. Job 17:3 Give me, I pray, the pledge You demand. Who else will be my guarantor? Genesis 43:9 I will guarantee his safety. You may hold me personally responsible. If I do not bring him back and set him before you, then may I bear the guilt before you all my life. Psalm 102:6-7 I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins. / I lie awake; I am like a lone bird on a housetop. Psalm 77:4 You have kept my eyes from closing; I am too troubled to speak. Treasury of Scripture Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: my eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me. a crane Job 30:29 I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls. Psalm 102:4-7 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread… I did mourn Isaiah 59:11 We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us. Ezekiel 7:16 But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity. Nahum 2:7 And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts. mine eyes Psalm 69:3 I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. Psalm 119:82,123 Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me? … Psalm 123:1-4 A Song of degrees. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens… I am Psalm 119:122 Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me. Psalm 143:7 Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. undertake for me. Jump to Previous Aid Bird Cause Chatter Clamor Crane Cried Cries Crushed Desire Dove Drawn Eyes Fail Failed Grew Grief Heavens Heights Moan Moaned Mourn Mourned Mourning Oppressed Security Sounds Surety Swallow Swift Undertake Upward Weak Weaken WearyJump to Next Aid Bird Cause Chatter Clamor Crane Cried Cries Crushed Desire Dove Drawn Eyes Fail Failed Grew Grief Heavens Heights Moan Moaned Mourn Mourned Mourning Oppressed Security Sounds Surety Swallow Swift Undertake Upward Weak Weaken WearyIsaiah 38 1. Hezekiah, having received a message of death, by prayer has his life lengthened8. The sun goes ten degrees backward, for a sign of that promise 9. His song of thanksgiving. I chirp like a swallow or crane; This phrase captures the lament of Hezekiah, the king of Judah, during his illness. The imagery of a swallow or crane suggests a sense of restlessness and anxiety. Birds like swallows and cranes are known for their constant movement and distinctive calls, symbolizing Hezekiah's distress and the urgency of his plea. In the ancient Near Eastern context, birds were often seen as messengers or omens, which may imply Hezekiah's desire for divine intervention. The use of animal imagery is common in Hebrew poetry, emphasizing the depth of human emotion. I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weak as I look upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my security.” Persons / Places / Events 1. HezekiahThe king of Judah who is the speaker in this verse. He is experiencing a time of illness and distress, seeking God's intervention. 2. Jerusalem The city where Hezekiah reigned and where these events took place. 3. Isaiah The prophet who delivered God's message to Hezekiah, including the promise of healing and an extension of his life. 4. God (Yahweh) The one whom Hezekiah addresses in his prayer, seeking deliverance and security. 5. The Illness of Hezekiah A significant event where Hezekiah was near death, prompting his heartfelt prayer and God's subsequent intervention. Teaching Points The Power of Prayer in DistressHezekiah's prayer demonstrates the importance of turning to God in times of trouble. His honest expression of fear and need for security is a model for believers to follow. God as Our Security The plea for God to be his security highlights the biblical truth that true safety and peace come from God alone, not from human efforts or circumstances. The Imagery of Weakness and Dependence The use of bird imagery (swallow, crane, dove) symbolizes vulnerability and dependence on God. Believers are reminded of their need to rely on God's strength in their weakness. The Role of Faith in Healing Hezekiah's experience underscores the role of faith and God's sovereignty in healing, both physically and spiritually. Trusting God's timing and will is crucial. The Importance of Looking Upward Hezekiah's eyes growing weak as he looks upward signifies a spiritual posture of seeking God. In times of distress, believers are encouraged to fix their eyes on God rather than their circumstances. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 38:14?2. How does Isaiah 38:14 illustrate reliance on God during times of distress? 3. What does Hezekiah's plea teach about prayer's role in seeking God's intervention? 4. How can Isaiah 38:14 inspire trust in God's timing and deliverance today? 5. Connect Hezekiah's cry to similar prayers in Psalms; what patterns emerge? 6. How can believers emulate Hezekiah's earnestness in their own prayer life? 7. What is the significance of Hezekiah's plea in Isaiah 38:14 for modern believers? 8. How does Isaiah 38:14 reflect the human condition of desperation and hope? 9. Why does Hezekiah compare himself to a swallow or crane in Isaiah 38:14? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 38? 11. What was the purpose of Jesus being anointed? 12. What is Modalistic Monarchianism? 13. Isaiah 65:19: How do we reconcile the promise of no more weeping in Jerusalem with its violent and sorrowful history? 14. What is the biblical perspective on snakes? What Does Isaiah 38:14 Mean I chirp like a swallow or craneHezekiah pictures himself sounding like restless, fluttering birds. In his sickbed he cannot form strong speech; only thin, nervous chirps escape. Isaiah 59:11 says, “We all growl like bears, we moan like doves.” Psalm 102:7 adds, “I lie awake; I am like a solitary bird on a rooftop”. Such images remind us: • Illness can strip away dignity and power, making even a king feel small. • God included these raw descriptions to assure us He welcomes unpolished cries. I moan like a dove The dove’s coo is soft, mournful, drawn-out. Hezekiah’s groans carry grief and helplessness (Ezekiel 7:16). Romans 8:26 reveals that the Spirit “intercedes for us with groans too deep for words”. The Lord understands language made only of sighs; He does not require eloquence, only honesty. My eyes grow weak as I look upward Prolonged pain drains vision and hope. Psalm 38:10 confesses, “My strength fails, and the light of my eyes— even this is gone”. Yet weak eyes still lift toward heaven like Psalm 123:1: “I lift up my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven.” • Faith often looks up while sight is fading. • Physical weakness can heighten spiritual focus, forcing reliance on the unseen. O Lord, I am oppressed Hezekiah finally names his condition: crushed. Psalm 9:9 promises, “The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed”. Isaiah 26:16 notes, “LORD, they sought You in their distress.” Acknowledging oppression is not defeat; it is the doorway to divine intervention. be my security The Hebrew king shifts from complaint to petition, asking God to be his guarantor. Psalm 18:2 declares, “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer”. Proverbs 18:10 adds, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Practical takeaways: • Security is a Person, not a circumstance. • Prayer that ends in trust honors God more than prayer that ends in self-pity. • Because Christ has become our eternal surety (Hebrews 7:22), believers can rest even when bodies fail. summary Isaiah 38:14 shows Hezekiah’s journey from frail chirps to firm trust. His birdlike cries reveal our shared vulnerability; his upward gaze models persevering faith; his plea for security points to the LORD as the only safe place. Scripture affirms that God hears the weakest voice, invites the honest heart, and answers by becoming the refuge we need. (14) Like a crane . . .--The three birds--strictly, the "swift," the "crane," the "dove"--each with its special note of lamentation, represent, as it were, the cries of pain and the low suppressed wail of the sufferer. The three appear again together in Jeremiah 8:7.Undertake for me--i.e., as in Genesis 43:9; Genesis 44:32; Job 17:3, Be surety for me. The idea is that of Death, who, yet in another sense, is but the minister of Jehovah, as being the creditor pressing for immediate payment. The words involve (as Cheyne points out) something like an appeal to the judge, who is also the accuser, to be bail for the accused. Verse 14. - Like a crane or a swallow. The sus, here translated "crane," is probably "the swift," which has a loud, shrill note. The, agur is, perhaps, "the crane;" but this is very uncertain. The two words occur as the names of birds only here and in Jeremiah 8:7. So did I chatter; rather, so did I scream (Cheyne). I did mourn; rather, I did moan. Mine eyes fail with looking upward; rather, mine eyes are weak to look upward; i.e. I have scarcely the courage or the strength to look to Jehovah; yet still I do look to him falteringly, and make my appeal: O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me (comp. Job 17:3); literally, be Surety for me. "The image," as Mr. Cheyne says, "is that of a debtor, who is being dragged to prison" at the suit of an exacting creditor, and for whom there is but one hope of relief; viz. if he can obtain a sufficient surety. Hezekiah calls on God to be the Surety; but God is the Creditor! Still, there is an appeal from God's justice to God's mercy - from Jehovah who punishes to Jehovah who forgives sin; and this appeal Hezekiah seems to intend to make when he beseeches God to "undertake for him."Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew I chirpאֲצַפְצֵ֔ף (’ă·ṣap̄·ṣêp̄) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 6850: To chirp, peep like a swallow כְּס֤וּס (kə·sūs) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5483: A swallow, swift (type of bird) or crane; עָגוּר֙ (‘ā·ḡūr) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5693: (a kind of bird) perhaps a crane I moan אֶהְגֶּ֖ה (’eh·geh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 1897: To moan, growl, utter, speak, muse like a dove. כַּיּוֹנָ֑ה (kay·yō·w·nāh) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 3123: A dove My eyes עֵינַי֙ (‘ê·nay) Noun - cdc | first person common singular Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain grow weak דַּלּ֤וּ (dal·lū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1809: To slacken, be feeble, to be oppressed [as I look] upward. לַמָּר֔וֹם (lam·mā·rō·wm) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4791: Altitude O Lord, אֲדֹנָ֖י (’ă·ḏō·nāy) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 136: The Lord I am oppressed; עָֽשְׁקָה־ (‘ā·šə·qāh-) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 6234: Oppression, distress be my security. עָרְבֵֽנִי׃ (‘ā·rə·ḇê·nî) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular Strong's 6148: To braid, intermix, technically, to traffic, give to be security Links Isaiah 38:14 NIVIsaiah 38:14 NLT Isaiah 38:14 ESV Isaiah 38:14 NASB Isaiah 38:14 KJV Isaiah 38:14 BibleApps.com Isaiah 38:14 Biblia Paralela Isaiah 38:14 Chinese Bible Isaiah 38:14 French Bible Isaiah 38:14 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Isaiah 38:14 I chattered like a swallow (Isa Isi Is) |
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