20 Yahweh will save me. Therefore we will sing my songs with stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of Yahweh.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Jehovah to save me. [1] He acknowledges that he was delivered, not by the aid or industry of men, but solely by the kindness of God. The rendering given by some, "It belongs to the Lord to save me," does not express enough, and appears to be more remote from the literal meaning; for he praises not only the power of God, but also the work by which he hath given an evident proof of it. In a word, he contrasts God's keeping with the death to which he had been sentenced; because, having formerly dreaded him as a severe judge, he now avows him as his deliverer, and leaps with joy. [2] And we will sing our songs. For the reason now stated, he not only prepares himself for singing in token of gratitude, but also calls on others to join and accompany him in this duty, and on this account mentions the Temple, in which the assemblies of religious men were held. Had be been a private individual and one of the common people, still it would have been his duty to offer a public sacrifice to God, that he might encourage others by his example. Much more then was the king bound to take care that he should bring others to unite with him in thanksgiving; especially because in his person God had provided for the advantage of the whole Church. All the days of our life. He declares that he will do his endeavor that this favor of God may be known to all, and that the remembrance of it may be preserved, not only for one day or for one year, but as long as he shall live. And indeed at any time it would have been exceedingly base to allow a blessing of God so remarkable as this to pass away or be forgotten; but, being forgetful, we continually need spurs to arouse us. At the same time, he takes a passing notice of the reason why God appointed holy assemblies. It was, that all as with one mouth might praise him, and might excite each other to the practice of godliness.
1 - "Le Seigneur m'a delivre." "The Lord hath delivered me."
2 - "The obvious ellipsis in the first clause may be variously filled with came, hastened, commanded, was ready, be pleased,' or with the verb is,' as an idiomatic periphrasis of the future, is to save' for will save." -- Alexander.
The Lord was ready to save me - He was prompt, quick to save me. He did not hesitate or delay.
Therefore we will sing my songs - That is, my family and nation. The song of Hezekiah was designed evidently not as a mere record, but to be used in celebrating the praises of God, and probably in a public manner in the temple. The restoration of the monarch was a fit occasion for public rejoicing; and it is probable that this ode was composed to be used by the company of singers that were employed constantly in the temple.
To the stringed instruments - We will set it to music, and will use it publicly (see the notes at Isaiah 5:12).
The LORD [was ready] to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of (y) our life in the house of the LORD.
(y) He shows what is the use of the Congregation and Church, that is, to give the Lord thanks for his benefits.
The Lord was ready to save me,.... Or, "the Lord to save me (y)"; he was at hand to save him; he was both able and willing to save him; he was a present help in time of need; he arose for his help, and that right early; he very quickly delivered him out of his distress; he, who one day expected death every moment, was the next day in the temple praising God:
therefore will we sing my songs; which were made by him, or concerning him, or which he ordered to be sung, as he did the Psalm of David, 2-Chronicles 29:30,
to the stringed instruments: which were touched with the fingers, or struck with a quill or bow; which distinguishes them from wind instruments, which were blown with the mouth; each of these were used in the temple service:
all the days of our life; he had before said "we will sing", meaning his family and his friends with him, his courtiers, princes, and nobles, or he and the singers of Israel; and this he determined to do as long as he and they lived; signifying, that the mercy granted would never be forgotten by him, as well as there would be new mercies every day, which would call for praise and thankfulness: and this he proposed to do
in the house of the Lord; in the temple; not only privately, but publicly; not in his closet and family only, but in the congregation of the people; that the goodness of God to him might be more known, and the praise and glory given him be the greater.
(y) "Dominus ad servandum me", Montanus; "Jehova est ad salvandum me", Cocceius, Vitringa.
was ready--not in the Hebrew; "Jehovah was for my salvation," that is, saved me (compare Isaiah 12:2).
we--I and my people.
in the house of the Lord--This song was designed, as many of the other Psalm, as a form to be used in public worship at stated times, perhaps on every anniversary of his recovery; hence "all the days of our life."
lump of figs--a round cake of figs pressed into a mass (1-Samuel 25:18). God works by means; the meanest of which He can make effectual.
boil--inflamed ulcer, produced by the plague.
Was ready - Was a present help.
*More commentary available at chapter level.