# General Information: Hezekiah continues his written prayer. # Like a swallow I chirp; I coo like a dove Both of these clauses mean the same thing and they emphasize how sad and pitiful Hezekiah's cries were. A swallow and a dove are types of birds. AT: "My cries are pitiful--they sound like the chirp of a swallow and the coo of a dove" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) # my eyes Here Hezekiah refers to himself my his "eyes" to emphasize that he is looking for something. AT: "I" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) # with looking upward This refers to Hezekiah looking to heaven for God to help him. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. AT: "of waiting for help to come from heaven" or "of waiting for you to help me" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) # I am oppressed This can be stated in active form. AT: "My sickness oppresses me" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) # What shall I say? Hezekiah uses a question to emphasize he has nothing left to say. This can be written as a statement. AT: "I have nothing left to say." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]]) # I will walk slowly This is an idiom. Here "walking" refers to living. AT: "I will like humbly" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) # all my years This refers to the rest of his life. The meaning of this can be made clear. AT: "the rest of my life" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) # because I am overcome with grief "because I am full of grief" or "because I am very sad" # translationWords * [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/lord]] * [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/oppress]]