Vers. 14. Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter; I did mourne as a done: mine eies were lift vp on high: O Lord, it hath oppressed me, comfort me.
HEzekias cannot fit himselfe with wordes sufficient to set forth the greatnesse of his miserie, which brought him to that extre∣mitie, that he was not able to speake distinctly, but to mutter forth a confused sound of words, euen as those that lie at the point of death. Whence it appeares that he was won∣derfully perplexed, seeing his griefe was so great, that hee wanted words to expresse it. His wordes stucke as it were in his throat: nothing could bee heard but whisperings: whereunto appertaines these similitudes of the crane and swallow, which the Prophet here vseth.
Yet euen these confused voices doubtlesse doe pierce the eares of God: and albeit al our senses be surprised with heauinesse, and that our sorrowes haue shut vp our mouthes, yet he beholds our hearts still, and heares the sighes which be breathed from faith. Yea of∣ten times such broken sentences are sent forth with more force & efficacie, then words rightly framed, prouided that they proceede from the spirit of God, who stirs vp in vs such gronings, as cannot be expressed: Rom. 8.25. There is no childe of God but in this case feeles by experience, when extreme sorrow causeth his tongue to cleaue to the roofe of his mouth, and his heart to be closed vp, so as his praiers are but stutterings and stam∣merings. Some translate that which followes in this sense; Mine eies are sunke in: but so the particle, on high, should not agree. And therefore it is best to retaine the naturall sense, which is; that his eies were wasted with often and much looking: or, that hee cea∣sed not to lift vp his eies on high, albeit he was halfe dead; or was neuer so far out of heart, but he knew well that it was his dutie to wait for succour from God.
Let vs learne with Hezekias* 1.1 to lift vp our eies to the heauens: and let vs also know that our God requires no great rhetorique of vs in our praiers.* 1.2 He confirmes this sentence in turning his speech by and by vnto God, to desire his helpe: for in regard the violence of the disease oppressed him, he intreats the Lord to comfort him. Some translate, Answer for me; which we haue thought best to turne, comfort, or, glad mee: vnlesse any had rather receiue their translation who read it, Make mee to rest. How euer it be, he demands succour of God, to the end the weight of his afflictions might not ouerwhelme him: we also ought to assure our selues in this case, that God will be so much the more ready to comfort vs, by how much the more wee shall be pressed on euerie side with many calamities.