Isaiah 38:9

The writing of Hezekiah. This psalm of Hezekiah (vs. 9-20) is not found in the parallel record of 2 Kings. Verses 21, 22 seem to have originally followed v. 8, but in drawing up the record in its present form Hezekiah’s poem was inserted within the narrative rather than added to it. This verse (v. 9) forms the superscription to the psalm, and is similar to a number of the headings found in the book of Psalms. Like many of the psalms, the poem is a record of an individual’s experience, yet written in a form suitable for use in the Temple worship. The theme of the poem is the experience of a man face to face with death praying earnestly for life, and having his prayer heard. Perhaps to make the poem suitable for liturgical use, items of a more personal nature are not mentioned.