Lamentations 3: Finding Hope in the Depths of Despair
I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.
He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light.
Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day.
My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones.
He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.
He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old.
He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy.
Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.
He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked.
He was unto me as a bear lying in wait, and as a lion in secret places.
He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate.
He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.
He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins.
I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day.
He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood.
He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.
And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity.
And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord:
Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.
It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.
He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.
He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.
He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.
For the Lord will not cast off for ever:
But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.
For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,
To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High,
To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not.
Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?
Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?
Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.
Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.
We have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned.
Thou hast covered with anger, and persecuted us: thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied.
Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through.
Thou hast made us as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the people.
All our enemies have opened their mouths against us.
Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction.
Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission,
Till the Lord look down, and behold from heaven.
Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city.
Mine enemies chased me sore, like a bird, without cause.
They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.
Waters flowed over mine head; then I said, I am cut off.
I called upon thy name, O Lord, out of the low dungeon.
Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.
Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.
O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.
O Lord, thou hast seen my wrong: judge thou my cause.
Thou hast seen all their vengeance and all their imaginations against me.
Thou hast heard their reproach, O Lord, and all their imaginations against me;
The lips of those that rose up against me, and their device against me all the day.
Behold their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their musick.
Render unto them a recompence, O Lord, according to the work of their hands.
Give them sorrow of heart, thy curse unto them.
Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the Lord.
Lamentations 3 offers a powerful exploration of suffering, despair, and ultimately, unwavering hope in the face of utter devastation. While the chapter begins in profound darkness, it culminates in a renewed understanding of God's faithfulness and compassion. This chapter provides a roadmap for navigating personal and collective hardship, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, God's love remains a constant source of strength.
Jeremiah's Personal Affliction (3:1-20)
The chapter opens with Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, giving voice to his own deep anguish. He doesn't shy away from the brutal reality of his suffering. He laments, "I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of God’s wrath" (Lamentations 3:1). This isn't merely a recounting of national tragedy; it's a deeply personal cry. Jeremiah bears a "double load of grief," burdened not only by the destruction of Jerusalem but also by the emotional and physical scars of decades spent delivering unpopular prophetic messages to a rebellious people. He was, in essence, the most hated man in Judah, ostracized and rejected for his faithfulness to God.
Jeremiah understood that his suffering, though intense, originated from the Lord. He recognized that God had appointed him as a prophet (Jeremiah 1:1-10) and forewarned him that the people would not heed his words (Jeremiah 7:27). God had orchestrated his path, even the parts that led through darkness (Lamentations 3:2). He describes feeling hunted, comparing his experience to being ambushed by a bear (Lamentations 3:10). He felt like a laughingstock (Lamentations 3:14), filled with bitterness (Lamentations 3:15), and ultimately, deeply depressed (Lamentations 3:20). This unflinching portrayal of Jeremiah's inner turmoil brings us to the lowest point in the book, a place of profound despair. However, it is precisely from this point of despair that the prophet will discover a renewed sense of hope.
The Turning Point: Remembering God's Faithfulness (3:21-23)
Verse 21 marks a pivotal shift in the chapter. After confessing in verse 18 that his hope was lost, Jeremiah declares, "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope" (Lamentations 3:21). Where did this sudden resurgence of hope come from? It stemmed from a conscious decision to redirect his thoughts toward God. He actively chose to remember God's character and past faithfulness.
This act of remembrance leads to one of the most beautiful and enduring passages in Scripture: "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23). These verses highlight the unwavering nature of God's love and mercy. Even amidst the devastation and suffering, God's compassions are fresh and available each day. The hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" draws its title and inspiration directly from Lamentations 3:23, testament to the enduring power of these words.
God's faithfulness is the bedrock of our hope. His character is unchanging, and He keeps His promises. Scripture repeatedly proclaims His compassion, graciousness, patience, and abundant love (Exodus 34:6, Numbers 14:18, Psalm 103:8, Nehemiah 9:17). Even when His people reject Him, God remains faithful to His covenant. This faithfulness is not just an abstract concept; it manifests in the daily renewal of His mercies (Lamentations 3:22-23).
The possibility of God's mercy is realized through Jesus Christ. Through Christ's sacrifice, God's wrath against sin is satisfied, allowing Him to extend mercy to us. We don't deserve justice; we need mercy. And it is in God's mercy, offered through Christ, that we find true and lasting hope. Against the dark backdrop of national loss and personal agony, the light of God's faithfulness to His covenant and His people gives us new hope.
Appropriating God's Mercy (3:24-42)
While God's mercies are freely offered, they require a personal response. Jeremiah declares, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him" (Lamentations 3:24). This is not a passive resignation but an active choice to place our hope in God. To hope in God means to wait for Him, to seek Him, and to receive His discipline (Lamentations 3:25-30). It involves a commitment to trust in His timing and His ways, even when they are difficult to understand.
Jeremiah understood that God's covenant love was enduring. He knew that God would not reject His people forever. Although God allows suffering when necessary, He will ultimately show compassion according to the abundance of His faithful love (Lamentations 3:31-32). God did not condone the injustices of the Babylonians, but He used them to fulfill His purposes – to discipline His people for their sins (Lamentations 3:34-39). Therefore, God's people are called to respond to His mercy by examining their lives, confessing their sins, and turning back to Him (Lamentations 3:40-42).
Lament and Prayer for Deliverance (3:43-66)
Jeremiah returns to lament in these verses, acting as a voice for the devastated people of Judah who recognize that their agony is the Lord's doing (Lamentations 3:43-47). The prophet then shifts to the first person to describe his own suffering and rejection (Lamentations 3:48-54). He recalls being thrown into a pit by his enemies and nearly drowning, a moment when he believed he would die (Lamentations 3:53; Jeremiah 38:1-6).
However, even in this desperate situation, Jeremiah turns to prayer. His distress becomes a plea for deliverance, and God answers (Lamentations 3:55-66). This section underscores the importance of persevering in prayer, even when we feel abandoned and overwhelmed. God hears the cries of His people and responds with compassion and deliverance.
Lamentations 3 is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope can be found in the unwavering faithfulness of God. By remembering His character, appropriating His mercy, and persevering in prayer, we can navigate suffering and emerge with a renewed sense of hope and trust in His unfailing love.
I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.
He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light.
Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day.
My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones.
He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.
He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old.
He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy.
Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.
He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked.
He was unto me as a bear lying in wait, and as a lion in secret places.
He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate.
He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.
He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins.
I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day.
He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood.
He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.
And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity.
And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord:
Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.
It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.
He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.
He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.
He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.
For the Lord will not cast off for ever:
But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.
For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,
To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High,
To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not.
Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?
Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?
Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.
Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.
We have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned.
Thou hast covered with anger, and persecuted us: thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied.
Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through.
Thou hast made us as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the people.
All our enemies have opened their mouths against us.
Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction.
Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission,
Till the Lord look down, and behold from heaven.
Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city.
Mine enemies chased me sore, like a bird, without cause.
They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.
Waters flowed over mine head; then I said, I am cut off.
I called upon thy name, O Lord, out of the low dungeon.
Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.
Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.
O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.
O Lord, thou hast seen my wrong: judge thou my cause.
Thou hast seen all their vengeance and all their imaginations against me.
Thou hast heard their reproach, O Lord, and all their imaginations against me;
The lips of those that rose up against me, and their device against me all the day.
Behold their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their musick.
Render unto them a recompence, O Lord, according to the work of their hands.
Give them sorrow of heart, thy curse unto them.
Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the Lord.
Lamentations 3 offers a powerful exploration of suffering, despair, and ultimately, unwavering hope in the face of utter devastation. While the chapter begins in profound darkness, it culminates in a renewed understanding of God's faithfulness and compassion. This chapter provides a roadmap for navigating personal and collective hardship, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, God's love remains a constant source of strength.
Jeremiah's Personal Affliction (3:1-20)
The chapter opens with Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, giving voice to his own deep anguish. He doesn't shy away from the brutal reality of his suffering. He laments, "I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of God’s wrath" (Lamentations 3:1). This isn't merely a recounting of national tragedy; it's a deeply personal cry. Jeremiah bears a "double load of grief," burdened not only by the destruction of Jerusalem but also by the emotional and physical scars of decades spent delivering unpopular prophetic messages to a rebellious people. He was, in essence, the most hated man in Judah, ostracized and rejected for his faithfulness to God.
Jeremiah understood that his suffering, though intense, originated from the Lord. He recognized that God had appointed him as a prophet (Jeremiah 1:1-10) and forewarned him that the people would not heed his words (Jeremiah 7:27). God had orchestrated his path, even the parts that led through darkness (Lamentations 3:2). He describes feeling hunted, comparing his experience to being ambushed by a bear (Lamentations 3:10). He felt like a laughingstock (Lamentations 3:14), filled with bitterness (Lamentations 3:15), and ultimately, deeply depressed (Lamentations 3:20). This unflinching portrayal of Jeremiah's inner turmoil brings us to the lowest point in the book, a place of profound despair. However, it is precisely from this point of despair that the prophet will discover a renewed sense of hope.
The Turning Point: Remembering God's Faithfulness (3:21-23)
Verse 21 marks a pivotal shift in the chapter. After confessing in verse 18 that his hope was lost, Jeremiah declares, "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope" (Lamentations 3:21). Where did this sudden resurgence of hope come from? It stemmed from a conscious decision to redirect his thoughts toward God. He actively chose to remember God's character and past faithfulness.
This act of remembrance leads to one of the most beautiful and enduring passages in Scripture: "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23). These verses highlight the unwavering nature of God's love and mercy. Even amidst the devastation and suffering, God's compassions are fresh and available each day. The hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" draws its title and inspiration directly from Lamentations 3:23, testament to the enduring power of these words.
God's faithfulness is the bedrock of our hope. His character is unchanging, and He keeps His promises. Scripture repeatedly proclaims His compassion, graciousness, patience, and abundant love (Exodus 34:6, Numbers 14:18, Psalm 103:8, Nehemiah 9:17). Even when His people reject Him, God remains faithful to His covenant. This faithfulness is not just an abstract concept; it manifests in the daily renewal of His mercies (Lamentations 3:22-23).
The possibility of God's mercy is realized through Jesus Christ. Through Christ's sacrifice, God's wrath against sin is satisfied, allowing Him to extend mercy to us. We don't deserve justice; we need mercy. And it is in God's mercy, offered through Christ, that we find true and lasting hope. Against the dark backdrop of national loss and personal agony, the light of God's faithfulness to His covenant and His people gives us new hope.
Appropriating God's Mercy (3:24-42)
While God's mercies are freely offered, they require a personal response. Jeremiah declares, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him" (Lamentations 3:24). This is not a passive resignation but an active choice to place our hope in God. To hope in God means to wait for Him, to seek Him, and to receive His discipline (Lamentations 3:25-30). It involves a commitment to trust in His timing and His ways, even when they are difficult to understand.
Jeremiah understood that God's covenant love was enduring. He knew that God would not reject His people forever. Although God allows suffering when necessary, He will ultimately show compassion according to the abundance of His faithful love (Lamentations 3:31-32). God did not condone the injustices of the Babylonians, but He used them to fulfill His purposes – to discipline His people for their sins (Lamentations 3:34-39). Therefore, God's people are called to respond to His mercy by examining their lives, confessing their sins, and turning back to Him (Lamentations 3:40-42).
Lament and Prayer for Deliverance (3:43-66)
Jeremiah returns to lament in these verses, acting as a voice for the devastated people of Judah who recognize that their agony is the Lord's doing (Lamentations 3:43-47). The prophet then shifts to the first person to describe his own suffering and rejection (Lamentations 3:48-54). He recalls being thrown into a pit by his enemies and nearly drowning, a moment when he believed he would die (Lamentations 3:53; Jeremiah 38:1-6).
However, even in this desperate situation, Jeremiah turns to prayer. His distress becomes a plea for deliverance, and God answers (Lamentations 3:55-66). This section underscores the importance of persevering in prayer, even when we feel abandoned and overwhelmed. God hears the cries of His people and responds with compassion and deliverance.
Lamentations 3 is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope can be found in the unwavering faithfulness of God. By remembering His character, appropriating His mercy, and persevering in prayer, we can navigate suffering and emerge with a renewed sense of hope and trust in His unfailing love.