The living, only the living, can thank You,
He insists that the living, the living alone, can thank God and hand on His faithfulness from father to child.
This verse makes preserved life a means of testimony across generations.
9This is a writing by Hezekiah king of Judah after his illness and recovery: 10I said, “In the prime of my life 11I said, “I will never again see the LORD, 12My dwelling has been picked up and removed from me 13I composed myself until the morning. 14I chirp like a swallow or crane; 15What can I say? 16O Lord, by such things men live, 17Surely for my own welfare 18For Sheol cannot thank You; 19The living, only the living, can thank You, 20The LORD will save me; 21Now Isaiah had said, “Prepare a lump of pressed figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover.” 22And Hezekiah had asked, “What will be the sign that I will go up to the house of the LORD?”