8. Behold, I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz turn back ten steps.” So the sun turned back on the dial the ten steps by which it had declined.
9. A writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, after he had been sick and had recovered from his sickness:
10. I said, In the middle of my daysI must depart;I am consigned to the gates of Sheolfor the rest of my years.
11. I said, I shall not see the Lord,the Lord in the land of the living;I shall look on man no moreamong the inhabitants of the world.
12. My dwelling is plucked up and removed from me like a shepherd’s tent; like a weaver I have rolled up my life; he cuts me off from the loom; from day to night you bring me to an end;
13. I calmed myself until morning;like a lion he breaks all my bones;from day to night you bring me to an end.
14. 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!
15. What shall I say? For he has spoken to me,and he himself has done it. I walk slowly all my yearsbecause of the bitterness of my soul.
16. O Lord, by these things men live,and in all these is the life of my spirit.Oh restore me to health and make me live!
17. Behold, it was for my welfarethat I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my lifefrom the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sinsbehind your back.
18. For Sheol does not thank you;death does not praise you;those who go down to the pit do not hopefor your faithfulness.
19. The living, the living, he thanks you,as I do this day; the father makes known to the childrenyour faithfulness.
20. The Lord will save me,and we will play my music on stringed instrumentsall the days of our lives, at the house of the Lord.