Jeremiah 20:11-13

11 But the 1LORD is with me like a dread champion; Therefore * my 2persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will be utterly ashamed, because they have failed, With an 3everlasting disgrace that will not be forgotten.
12 Yet, O LORD of hosts, You who 4test the righteous, Who see the mind and the heart; Let me 5see Your vengeance on them; For 6to You I have set forth my cause.
13 7Sing to the LORD, praise the LORD! For He has 8delivered the soul of the needy one From the hand of evildoers.

Jeremiah 20:11-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 20

This chapter gives an account of the usage that Jeremiah met with from many for his prophecies, and the effect it had upon him. He was smitten and put in the stocks by Pashur the priest, who released him the next day, Jer 20:1-3; upon which he prophesies again of the delivery of the city of Jerusalem, with all its riches, and of the whole land, to the Chaldeans; and particularly that Pashur should be a terror to himself and all his friends; and that both he and they should be carried captive into Babylon, and die, and be buried there, Jer 20:4-6; and then he complains of his being mocked at by the people for the word of the Lord; which he therefore determined to make no more mention of, but was obliged to it; and of the defamations of him, and snares that were laid for him, Jer 20:7-10; under which he is supported with the consideration of the Lord's being with him, and that his enemies should not prevail, but be confounded; and appeals to him, and calls for vengeance from him on them; and, in the view of deliverance, not only praises the Lord himself, but calls upon others to join with him in it, Jer 20:11-13; and yet, after all, the chapter is concluded with his cursing the day of his birth, and the man that brought his father the news of it, Jer 20:14-18.

Cross References 8

  • 1. Jeremiah 1:8; Jeremiah 15:20; Romans 8:31
  • 2. Deuteronomy 32:35, 36; Jeremiah 15:15, 20; Jeremiah 17:18
  • 3. Jeremiah 23:40
  • 4. Psalms 7:9; Psalms 11:5; Psalms 17:3; Psalms 139:23; Jeremiah 11:20; Jeremiah 17:10
  • 5. Psalms 54:7; Psalms 59:10; Jeremiah 11:20
  • 6. Psalms 62:8
  • 7. Jeremiah 31:7
  • 8. Psalms 34:6; Psalms 69:33; Jeremiah 15:21

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Lit "not succeeded;" or "not acted wisely"
  • [b]. Lit "kidneys"
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