1 I [am] the man [that] hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.
2 He hath led me, and brought [me into] darkness, but not [into] light.
3 Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand [against me] all the day.
4 My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones.
5 He hath builded against me, and compassed [me] with gall and travail.
6 He hath set me in dark places, as [they that be] dead of old.
7 He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy.
8 Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.
9 He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked.
10 He [was] unto me [as] a bear lying in wait, [and as] a lion in secret places.
11 He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate.
12 He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.
13 He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins.
14 I was a derision to all my people; [and] their song all the day.
15 He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood.
16 He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.
17 And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity.
18 And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD:
19 Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
20 My soul hath [them] still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22 [It is of] the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 [They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness.
24 The LORD [is] my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
25 The LORD [is] good unto them that wait for him, to the soul [that] seeketh him.
26 [It is] good that [a man] should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
27 [It is] good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.
28 He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne [it] upon him.
29 He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.
30 He giveth [his] cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.
31 For the Lord will not cast off for ever:
32 But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.
33 For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
34 To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,
35 To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High,
36 To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not.
37 Who [is] he [that] saith, and it cometh to pass, [when] the Lord commandeth [it] not?
38 Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?
39 Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.
41 Let us lift up our heart with [our] hands unto God in the heavens.
42 We have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned.
43 Thou hast covered with anger, and persecuted us: thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied.
44 Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that [our] prayer should not pass through.
45 Thou hast made us [as] the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the people.
46 All our enemies have opened their mouths against us.
47 Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction.
48 Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
49 Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission,
50 Till the LORD look down, and behold from heaven.
51 Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city.
52 Mine enemies chased me sore, like a bird, without cause.
53 They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.
54 Waters flowed over mine head; [then] I said, I am cut off.
55 I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon.
56 Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.
57 Thou drewest near in the day [that] I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.
58 O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.
59 O LORD, thou hast seen my wrong: judge thou my cause.
60 Thou hast seen all their vengeance [and] all their imaginations against me.
61 Thou hast heard their reproach, O LORD, [and] all their imaginations against me;
62 The lips of those that rose up against me, and their device against me all the day.
63 Behold their sitting down, and their rising up; I [am] their musick.
64 Render unto them a recompence, O LORD, according to the work of their hands.
65 Give them sorrow of heart, thy curse unto them.
66 Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the LORD.
Overview of Lamentations Chapter 3
Lamentations Chapter 3 is a poignant expression of grief and suffering, attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. This chapter stands out within the book for its personal tone and structured acrostic form, highlighting the depth of despair experienced by the people of Jerusalem following the Babylonian conquest. It combines elements of lamentation, reflection, and hope, illustrating the complex emotions of mourning and faith.
Structure and Literary Features
The chapter consists of 66 verses, organized into 22 stanzas, each containing three verses. This tripartite structure emphasizes the intensity of the lament and the poet’s emotional state.
- Acrostic Form: Each group of three verses begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, a technique that adds a sense of order amidst chaos.
- Repetition: The use of repeated phrases enhances the emotional weight, particularly the recurring theme of suffering and divine abandonment.
- Imagery: Vivid imagery is employed to convey anguish, such as descriptions of darkness, bitterness, and isolation.
Thematic Analysis
Chapter 3 explores several key themes that resonate throughout the text:
- Suffering and Affliction: The chapter opens with a personal lament, where the speaker identifies with the collective suffering of the people. The vivid descriptions of pain highlight the intensity of the experience.
- Divine Punishment and Justice: The text reflects on the belief that suffering is a consequence of sin. The speaker acknowledges God’s role in their affliction, suggesting a theological understanding of justice.
- Hope and Faith: Despite the overwhelming despair, the chapter shifts towards a message of hope. Verses 22-23 introduce the idea of God’s steadfast love and mercies, which are renewed every morning, providing a glimmer of hope amidst suffering.
- Prayer and Plea for Mercy: The chapter culminates in a heartfelt plea for God’s attention and mercy, emphasizing the importance of turning to God in times of distress.
Key Verses and Their Significance
Several verses in Chapter 3 are particularly significant for understanding its themes:
- Verse 1-3: The speaker’s identification with suffering sets the tone for the chapter, illustrating the depth of despair.
- Verse 22-23: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” This declaration serves as a turning point, emphasizing hope and the faithfulness of God.
- Verse 25-26: These verses highlight the value of waiting for the Lord, suggesting that patience and trust in divine timing are essential during trials.
- Verse 55-57: The speaker recalls a moment of prayer, reinforcing the theme of seeking God in times of trouble, illustrating the importance of communication with the divine.
Conclusion
Lamentations Chapter 3 serves as a profound exploration of grief, faith, and resilience. It captures the essence of human suffering while simultaneously offering hope through the acknowledgment of God’s enduring love and mercy. The chapter invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of pain and the potential for renewal through faith, making it a timeless piece of biblical literature.
