Hezekiah’s prayer concludes here with a petition to Yahweh that he rescue Judah from Assyrian power.

So now is literally “And now.” This expression indicates a change in the direction of Hezekiah’s speech. He has just reminded Yahweh about Assyrian aggression, and now he asks Yahweh for deliverance from Assyria.

O LORD our God presents the king as praying on behalf of everyone in Judah.

Save us from his hand is the actual request for help. Hand here means “power” or perhaps “attack.” Good News Translation removes the imagery by rendering this whole clause as “rescue us from the Assyrians,” which is a helpful model.

That all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou alone art the LORD: This is why Hezekiah prayed for deliverance. If Yahweh delivered Judah from the powerful king of Assyria, then all the other nations would know that he was the only true God. For all the kingdoms of the earth and thou alone art the LORD, see the comments on verse 16. These expressions form inclusios with that verse. There is a textual problem here. Some versions add “God” at the end of this verse since it is in the Septuagint and one Isaiah Dead Sea Scrolls manuscript; for example, New International Version renders the last clause as “you alone, O LORD, are God” (similarly Revised English Bible, Bible en français courant). It is also in the parallel text of 2 Kgs 19.19. However, it is not the Hebrew text of Masoretic Text, so Hebrew Old Testament Text Project does not recommend adding it. Translators may choose either reading here.

Translation examples for this verse are:

• Now, LORD our God, rescue us from Assyrian power; let all the kingdoms of the earth know that you alone are the LORD.”

• And now, Yahweh our God, save us from the Assyrians, so that all the kingdoms of the world may know that only you are the LORD.”

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .