Lamentations 3:30-40

30 Though beaten and insulted, we should accept it all.

31 The Lord is merciful and will not reject us forever.

32 He may bring us sorrow, but his love for us is sure and strong.

33 He takes no pleasure in causing us grief or pain.

34 The Lord knows when our spirits are crushed in prison;

35 He knows when we are denied the rights he gave us;

36 When justice is perverted in court, he knows.

37 The will of the Lord alone is always carried out.

38 Good and evil alike take place at his command.

39 Why should we ever complain when we are punished for our sin?

40 Let us examine our ways and turn back to the Lord.

Lamentations 3:30-40 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LAMENTATIONS 3

This chapter is a complaint and lamentation like the former, and on the same subject, only the prophet mixes his own afflictions and distresses with the public calamities; or else he represents the church in her complaints; and some have thought him to be a type of Christ throughout the whole; to whom various things may be applied. It is indeed written in a different form from the other chapters, in another sort of metre; and though in an alphabetical manner as the rest, yet with this difference, that three verses together begin with the same letter; so that the alphabet is gone through three times in it. Here is first a complaint of the afflictions of the prophet, and of the people, expressed by a rod, by darkness, by wormwood and gall, and many other things; and especially by the Lord's appearing against them as an enemy, in a most severe and terrible manner; shutting out their prayer; being as a bear and lion to them; and giving them up to the cruelty and scorn of their enemies, La 3:1-21; then follows some comfort taken by them, from the mercy, faithfulness, and goodness of God; from the usefulness of patience in bearing afflictions; and from the end of God in laying them upon men; and from the providence of God, by which all things are ordered, La 3:22-38; wherefore, instead of complaining, it would be better, it is suggested, to attend to the duties of examination of their ways, and of repentance, and of prayer, La 3:39-41; and a particular prayer is directed to, in which confession of sin is made, and their miseries deplored, by reason of the hidings of God's face, and the insults of their enemies, La 3:42-47; and then the prophet expresses his sympathy with his people under affliction, and declares what he himself met with from his enemies, La 3:48-54; and relates bow he called upon the Lord, and he heard and delivered him, La 3:55-58; and concludes with a request that he would judge his cause, and avenge him on enemies, La 3:59-66.

Footnotes

• [a]. The will . . . out; [or] No one can make anything happen unless the Lord is willing.
• [b]. Why should . . . sin?; [or] Why should we complain about being punished for sin, as long as we are still alive?