Matthew Poole and continuators on Isaiah 38:17

17. Behold, for peace I had great bitterness , but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption, for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back .

My Health and Prosperity was quickly changed into bitter Sickness and Affliction. Or, as others render it, My great bitterness was unt[illegible: 1+ letters] peace, was turned into Prosperity, or became the occasion of my safety and further advantages: For that drove me to my prayers, and my prayers prevailed with God for a gracious Answer, and the prolonging of my Life.

In kindness to me, the soul being oft put for the Man. This is an emphatical Circumstance: For sometimes God prolongs mens dayes in anger, and in order to their greater misery.

Thou hast forgiven those sins which brought this evil upon me, and upon that account hast removed the punishment of them; which sheweth that thou didst this in love to me. The phrase is borrowed from the custome of men, who when they would accurately see and observe any thing, set it before their faces, and when they desire, and resolve not to look upon any thing, turn their backs upon it, or cast it behind them.

Marginal references: Or, on my peace came great bitterness.; Heb abou hast loved my soul from the pit.