Jeremiah 17:14
“Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Following the laments and the diagnosis of the deceitful heart, Jeremiah turns to direct prayer, casting himself entirely on God amid persecution and inner turmoil.
What Does Jeremiah 17:14 Mean?
Jeremiah prays for God to heal and save him, trusting that God alone can truly do it. The structure of the prayer is striking: "Heal me... and I shall be healed; save me... and I shall be saved." Each request is paired with assured confidence that God's action will be effective. Jeremiah does not hedge or hope vaguely; he believes that if God acts, the outcome is certain. This is a model of bold dependence -- asking God for what only He can give and resting in the sufficiency of His response.
The closing reason crowns the prayer: "for thou art my praise." Jeremiah's confidence rests not in his own worthiness but in who God is to him -- the very object of his worship and the source of his hope. Coming right after the confession that the heart is deceitful and beyond self-knowledge, this prayer is the right response: turning from self-reliance to the God who can heal what we cannot fix. Whether the need is physical, emotional, or spiritual, the verse teaches the reader to bring it to God plainly, trusting His power and making Him the center of their praise.
In the Original Language
"Heal" is rapha, to mend or restore, the root behind the divine title "the LORD that healeth." "Save" is yasha', to deliver or rescue, the root behind the name Yeshua.
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Application
Bring your deepest needs to God directly and confidently, trusting that He alone can truly heal and save, and let Him be the center of your praise.
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