Lamentations 3:26

26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Lamentations 3:26 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
26 It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
New Living Translation (NLT)
26 So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD .
The Message Bible (MSG)
26 It's a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God.
American Standard Version (ASV)
26 It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of Jehovah.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
26 "It is good to continue to hope and wait silently for the LORD to save us.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
26 It is good to wait quietly for deliverance from the Lord.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
26 It is good when people wait quietly for the LORD to save them.

Lamentations 3:26 Meaning and Commentary

Lamentations 3:26

[It is] good that [a man] should both hope and quietly wait,
&c.] This follows from the former; for if God is good to such, it must be good for them to hope and wait for him; it is both their duty and their interest: and it may be observed, that hope is the ground of patient waiting, and is here promised to it; where there is no hope of a thing, there will be no waiting for it, much less quietly: hope is of things unseen, future, difficult, and yet possible, or there would be no hope; and where there is that, there will be waiting; for "if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it", ( Romans 8:25 ) ; here in the original text it is, "hope, and be silent" F26; or, "a good man will both hope" or "wait, and be silent" F1; that is, under the present dispensation, though an afflictive one; men should be still, as David exhorts, and be dumb, as he was; and hold their peace, as Aaron did, at such seasons: not that they should indulge a stoical apathy, or be insensible of their condition, and disregard the rod, and him that has appointed it, or be altogether silent and speechless; but should own the hand of God, and their deserts, cry to him for deliverance, be thankful it is no worse, and speak of the gracious dealings of God with them; yet should not murmur and complain, or charge God foolishly; but be resigned to his will, and wait the issue of Providence quietly, even wait for the salvation of the Lord;
for temporal deliverance from outward evils and present afflictions, and for spiritual and eternal salvation. The saints, under the Old Testament, waited for Christ, the author of salvation, appointed and promised by the Lord. He is come, and has obtained salvation, which is published in the Gospel. Sensible sinners are made acquainted with their need of it, and see the fulness and suitableness of it, and are earnestly desirous of knowing their interest in it; this is not immediately had; it is good to wait quietly for it, in an attendance on the word and ordinances; and this being come at, still the complete enjoyment is yet behind: saints are now heirs of it, are kept unto it; it is nearer them than when they believed; Christ will appear unto it, and it becomes them to wait patiently for it; which will be a salvation from the very being of sin; from the temptations of Satan; from all troubles inward and outward; from all troublesome persons and things; from all doubts, fears, darkness, and unbelief; and will consist in perfect happiness and glory, and is worth waiting for.


FOOTNOTES:

F26 (Mmwdw lyxyw) "et expectet et silens", Pagninus, Montanus; "qui et expectat et silet", Piscator.
F1 "Bonus ergo et expectabit et silens erit", Schmidt.

Lamentations 3:26 In-Context

24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.
28 Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it on him.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Isaiah 7:4
  • 2. Psalms 37:7; Psalms 40:1
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