Hezekiah’s prayer in this verse is brief and simple. He asks Yahweh to remember that he has been a faithful king who always has done what is right. These words may sound self-righteous but they are typical of many such prayers in the Old Testament.

And said introduces the actual prayer. Translators may leave it implied, as in Good News Translation.

Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee: The request to Remember is not merely an invitation for God to recall something forgotten. This verb has the deeper meaning of asking God to agree with certain facts and then act upon them. It may be rendered “bear in mind” or “consider.” Now and I beseech thee render two Hebrew particles of entreaty. They strengthen the plea for recognition. Good News Translation and Revised English Bible omit them, but translators should express them; for example, they may be rendered “please” or “I beg you.”

How I have walked before thee in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in thy sight: Here Hezekiah states his past good deeds. I have walked refers to his lifestyle, his way of living (see the comments on “walk” at 2.3, 5). New Jerusalem Bible says “I have behaved,” Revised English Bible has “I have lived,” and New American Bible uses “I conducted myself.” Hezekiah first describes his life with two adverbial phrases: in faithfulness and with a whole heart. In faithfulness is literally “in/with truth,” which means he was a man of integrity. With a whole heart is literally “with a complete heart,” which means he was completely devoted to Yahweh. New International Version says “with wholehearted devotion.” Another possible model is “with all my heart.”

And have done what is good in thy sight is another claim Hezekiah makes about himself. He says he has consistently done what God considers to be good. Good News Translation has “and that I have always tried to do what you wanted me to.”

Hezekiah presents himself as a devout and just king. Some of these expressions may be combined; for example, Bible en français courant translates “I have conducted myself toward you with complete loyalty, I have always acted in a way to please you.”

For the archaic pronouns thee and thou in reference to God, see the introductory comments on 37.14-20.

And Hezekiah wept bitterly is literally “and Hezekiah wept a great weeping.” The king cried hard because he was deeply upset at the news that he was about to die.

Some translation examples for this verse are:

• “O LORD, I beg you to remember that I have served you faithfully and wholeheartedly, doing what pleases you.” Hezekiah prayed with bitter cries.

• Hezekiah wept bitterly as he prayed, “LORD, please remember how I have been faithful to you and devoted my life to you, doing what you consider to be good.”

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .