Isaiah 38:17

Behold, for peace … bitterness) (lit. "it was bitter to me, bitter"), i.e. the bitterness of affliction was mercifully overruled so as to yield "peaceable fruit" through his recovery (cf. Hebrews 12:11).

but thou hast in love … pit Lit. (according to the Hebrew text) "and thou hast loved my soul out of the pit …" a pregnant construction of perhaps unexampled boldness. The true reading probably is "thou hast kept back my soul, &c." (ḥâsaktâfor ḥâshaqtâ).

For pit of corruptionrender pit of annihilation.

cast … behind thy back An image for utter forgetfulness: 1 Kings 14:9; Nehemiah 9:26; Psalms 50:17. The Psalmist recognises in his deliverance the pledge that his sins are forgiven and forgotten.