39 Why should any living mortal , or any man , Offer complaint in view of his sins ? 40 Let us examine and probe our ways , And let us return to the Lord . 41 We lift up our heart and hands Toward God in heaven ;
42 We have transgressed and rebelled , You have not pardoned . 43 You have covered Yourself with anger And pursued us; You have slain and have not spared . 44 You have covered Yourself with a cloud So that no prayer can pass through . 45 You have made us mere offscouring and refuse In the midst of the peoples . 46 All our enemies have opened their mouths against us. 47 Panic and pitfall have befallen us, Devastation and destruction ; 48 My eyes run down with streams of water Because of the destruction of the daughter of my people . 49 My eyes pour down unceasingly e , Without stopping , 50 Until the Lord looks down And sees from heaven . 51 My eyes bring pain to my soul Because of all the daughters of my city . 52 My enemies without cause Hunted me down like a bird ; 53 They have silenced me in the pit And have placed a stone on me. 54 Waters flowed over my head ; I said , "I am cut off !"
55 I called on Your name , O Lord , Out of the lowest pit . 56 You have heard my voice , " Do not hide Your ear from my prayer for relief , From my cry for help ." 57 You drew near when I called on You; You said , " Do not fear !" 58 O Lord , You have pleaded my soul's cause ; You have redeemed my life . 59 O Lord , You have seen my oppression ; Judge my case . 60 You have seen all their vengeance , All their schemes against me. 61 You have heard their reproach , O Lord , All their schemes against me. 62 The lips of my assailants and their whispering Are against me all day long. 63 Look on their sitting and their rising ; I am their mocking song . 64 You will recompense e them, O Lord , According to the work of their hands . 65 You will give them hardness of heart , Your curse will be on them. 66 You will pursue them in anger and destroy them From under the heavens of the Lord !
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Lamentations 3:39-66
Commentary on Lamentations 3:37-41
(Read Lamentations 3:37-41)
While there is life there is hope; and instead of complaining that things are bad, we should encourage ourselves with the hope they will be better. We are sinful men, and what we complain of, is far less than our sins deserve. We should complain to God, and not of him. We are apt, in times of calamity, to reflect on other people's ways, and blame them; but our duty is to search and try our own ways, that we may turn from evil to God. Our hearts must go with our prayers. If inward impressions do not answer to outward expressions, we mock God, and deceive ourselves.
Commentary on Lamentations 3:42-54
(Read Lamentations 3:42-54)
The more the prophet looked on the desolations, the more he was grieved. Here is one word of comfort. While they continued weeping, they continued waiting; and neither did nor would expect relief and succour from any but the Lord.
Commentary on Lamentations 3:55-66
(Read Lamentations 3:55-66)
Faith comes off conqueror, for in these verses the prophet concludes with some comfort. Prayer is the breath of the new man, drawing in the air of mercy in petitions, and returning it in praises; it proves and maintains the spiritual life. He silenced their fears, and quieted their spirits. Thou saidst, Fear not. This was the language of God's grace, by the witness of his Spirit with their spirits. And what are all our sorrows, compared with those of the Redeemer? He will deliver his people from every trouble, and revive his church from every persecution. He will save believers with everlasting salvation, while his enemies perish with everlasting destruction.