Lamentaciones 3:14-24

14 He: Fui escarnio a todo mi pueblo, canción de ellos todos los días

15 He: Me llenó de amarguras, me embriagó de ajenjo

16 Vau: Me quebró los dientes con cascajo, me cubrió de ceniza

17 Vau: Y mi alma se alejó de la paz, me olvidé del bien

18 Vau: Y dije: Pereció mi fortaleza, y mi esperanza del SEÑOR

19 Zain: Acuérdate de mi aflicción y de mi lloro, del ajenjo y de la hiel

20 Zain: Lo tendrá aún en memoria mi alma, porque en mí está humillada

21 Zain: Esto reduciré a mi corazón, por tanto esperaré

22 Chet: Es por las misericordias del SEÑOR que no somos consumidos, porque nunca decayeron sus misericordias

23 Chet: Nuevas son cada mañana; grande es tu fe

24 Chet: Mi parte es el SEÑOR, dijo mi alma; por tanto a él esperaré

Lamentaciones 3:14-24 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.