Lamentations 3:19-33

19 I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.

20 I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.

21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

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.

29 Let him bury his face in the dust— there may yet be hope.

30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace.

31 For no one is cast off by the Lord forever.

32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.

33 For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.

Lamentations 3:19-33 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.

Cross References

• 1. ver 5
• 2. S ver 15
• 3. S Psalms 42:5
• 4. Psalms 42:11; Psalms 43:5
• 5. S Psalms 103:11
• 6. S Job 34:15; S Hosea 11:9
• 7. Psalms 78:38; Psalms 130:7; Malachi 3:6
• 8. S Exodus 34:6; Zephaniah 3:5
• 9. S Psalms 119:57; Psalms 16:5
• 10. S Psalms 33:18; Isaiah 25:9; S Isaiah 30:18
• 11. S Isaiah 7:4
• 12. Psalms 37:7; Psalms 40:1
• 13. Jeremiah 15:17; Lamentations 2:10
• 14. S Job 2:8
• 15. S Jeremiah 31:17
• 16. S Job 16:10; S Isaiah 50:6
• 17. Micah 5:1
• 18. Psalms 94:14; Isaiah 54:7
• 19. Psalms 78:38; Psalms 106:43-45; Hosea 11:8; Nahum 1:12
• 20. S Job 37:23; S Jeremiah 31:20; Ezekiel 18:23; Ezekiel 33:11