Sermons of John Calvin, upon the song that Hezekiah made after he had been…Sermons of Iohn Caluin, vpon the songe that Ezechias made after he had bene…

Now he further addeth, and what shall I say? for he that hath spoken hath also done it. Here some think that Hezekiah would now rejoice feeling the deliverance which God had sent him that he breaketh all his complaints which he used, and that now he hath his mouth open to confess the goodness of God. But the natural meaning of the text beareth it not. Rather Hezekiah breaketh his matter to show the anguish which suffered him not to continue as ⟨p. 43⟩he would gladly have done. And we see many such examples in all the Psalms where there is some declaration of the chastisements which God sent either to David or to his other servants. Then when God hath so sharply afflicted his people, there have been such like requests as now and then the faithful interlace always, I wot not how, as if they were utterly cast away. So doth Hezekiah now.¹ And there is an example very like in the nine and thirty Psalm, which we have already alleged. For there David also acknowledgeth that he had to do with God. It was then much to know that men persecuted him, but when he saw the hand of God to be against him, I may not (said he) come to plead here, nor to pursue actions, there is nothing better for me than utterly to keep silence and take the condemnation upon me. And in Job we see many such like complaints. Now let us come to the meaning of Hezekiah. What shall I say? it is he which hath said and he also hath done it. He lamented not as they which found no hope, for such people will cry alas, but all their sighs vanish away on the air. Contrariwise Hezekiah showeth us here that if we will have God to hear us, we must open all our passions and sorrows before him, that we may be unburdened, as it is said in the Psalm. Hezekiah hitherto hath followed this order, that is that he hath opened all his perplexities and cares which he endured as if he laid them abroad round about God. But now he reproveth him self. Alas sayeth he: what should I do? for it is God himself which hath said it and done it. ⟨p. 44⟩He hath sent me this message by his Prophet, that there was no hope of life, it is then in vain that I pray unto him. What shall I avail then in all my prayers?, what shall I do? And I wot not whether he will have pity on me. We see now how Hezekiah outraged against him self.