Book of Isaiah - Chapter 38 - Verse 14

This verse from the book of Isaiah depicts the speaker's deep sense of sorrow and distress, using metaphors of various birds to illustrate his emotions. The comparison to a crane or a swallow highlights the constant and mournful nature of his chatter, while likening his mourning to that of a dove emphasizes the depth of his grief. The imagery of his eyes failing from looking upward suggests a weariness and desperation in seeking help and solace from the Lord. The plea for the Lord to "undertake for me" reveals the speaker's acknowledgment of his own helplessness and his reliance on God for deliverance from his oppression. Overall, this verse conveys a profound sense of anguish and reliance on divine intervention, serving as a poignant expression of the universal human experience of suffering and seeking comfort from a higher power.

Within this verse, the psalmist employs vivid imagery to express their distress and plea to God for help. The comparison of their speech to that of a crane or a swallow, known for their repetitive and mournful sounds, conveys the depth of the psalmist's sorrow. The mention of mourning like a dove adds another layer of sorrow to the description. The phrase "mine eyes fail with looking upward" suggests the psalmist's intense focus on God, indicating a persistent seeking of divine intervention. The psalmist acknowledges their oppression and calls on the Lord to undertake for them, placing their trust and hope in God's ability to deliver them from their troubles. Overall, this verse captures the psalmist's emotional state and their reliance on God for comfort and rescue.