39 Why should a living man complain, a man, about the punishment of his sins? 40 Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord! 41 Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven:
42 "We have transgressed and rebelled, and thou hast not forgiven. 43 "Thou hast wrapped thyself with anger and pursued us, slaying without pity; 44 thou hast wrapped thyself with a cloud so that no prayer can pass through. 45 Thou hast made us offscouring and refuse among the peoples. 46 "All our enemies rail against us; 47 panic and pitfall have come upon us, devastation and destruction; 48 my eyes flow with rivers of tears because of the destruction of the daughter of my people. 49 "My eyes will flow without ceasing, without respite, 50 until the Lord from heaven looks down and sees; 51 my eyes cause me grief at the fate of all the maidens of my city. 52 "I have been hunted like a bird by those who were my enemies without cause; 53 they flung me alive into the pit and cast stones on me; 54 water closed over my head; I said, 'I am lost.'
55 "I called on thy name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit; 56 thou didst hear my plea, 'Do not close thine ear to my cry for help!' 57 Thou didst come near when I called on thee; thou didst say, 'Do not fear!' 58 "Thou hast taken up my cause, O Lord, thou hast redeemed my life. 59 Thou hast seen the wrong done to me, O Lord; judge thou my cause. 60 Thou hast seen all their vengeance, all their devices against me. 61 "Thou hast heard their taunts, O Lord, all their devices against me. 62 The lips and thoughts of my assailants are against me all the day long. 63 Behold their sitting and their rising; I am the burden of their songs. 64 "Thou wilt requite them, O Lord, according to the work of their hands. 65 Thou wilt give them dullness of heart; thy curse will be on them. 66 Thou wilt pursue them in anger and destroy them from under thy heavens, O 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.