19 Remember my affliction and my mourning, Wormwood and gall! 20 Remember well, and bow down doth my soul in me.
21 This I turn to my heart—therefore I hope. 22 The kindnesses of Jehovah! For we have not been consumed, For not ended have His mercies. 23 New every morning, abundant 'is' thy faithfulness. 24 My portion 'is' Jehovah, hath my soul said, Therefore I hope for Him. 25 Good 'is' Jehovah to those waiting for Him, To the soul 'that' seeketh Him. 26 Good! when one doth stay and stand still For the salvation of Jehovah. 27 Good for a man that he beareth a yoke in his youth. 28 He sitteth alone, and is silent, For He hath laid 'it' upon him. 29 He putteth in the dust his mouth, if so be there is hope. 30 He giveth to his smiter the cheek, He is filled with reproach. 31 For the Lord doth not cast off to the age. 32 For though He afflicted, yet He hath pitied, According to the abundance of His kindness. 33 For He hath not afflicted with His heart, Nor doth He grieve the sons of men. 34 To bruise under one's feet any bound ones of earth, 35 To turn aside the judgment of a man, Over-against the face of the Most High, 36 To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord hath not approved.
37 Who 'is' this—he hath said, and it is, 'And' the Lord hath not commanded 'it'? 38 From the mouth of the Most High Go not forth the evils and the good. 39 What—sigh habitually doth a living man, A man for his sin?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Lamentations 3:19-39
Commentary on Lamentations 3:1-20
(Read Lamentations 3:1-20)
The prophet relates the more gloomy and discouraging part of his experience, and how he found support and relief. In the time of his trial the Lord had become terrible to him. It was an affliction that was misery itself; for sin makes the cup of affliction a bitter cup. The struggle between unbelief and faith is often very severe. But the weakest believer is wrong, if he thinks that his strength and hope are perished from the Lord.
Commentary on Lamentations 3:21-36
(Read Lamentations 3:21-36)
Having stated his distress and temptation, the prophet shows how he was raised above it. Bad as things are, it is owing to the mercy of God that they are not worse. We should observe what makes for us, as well as what is against us. God's compassions fail not; of this we have fresh instances every morning. Portions on earth are perishing things, but God is a portion for ever. It is our duty, and will be our comfort and satisfaction, to hope and quietly to wait for the salvation of the Lord. Afflictions do and will work very much for good: many have found it good to bear this yoke in their youth; it has made many humble and serious, and has weaned them from the world, who otherwise would have been proud and unruly. If tribulation work patience, that patience will work experience, and that experience a hope that makes not ashamed. Due thoughts of the evil of sin, and of our own sinfulness, will convince us that it is of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed. If we cannot say with unwavering voice, The Lord is my portion; may we not say, I desire to have Him for my portion and salvation, and in his word do I hope? Happy shall we be, if we learn to receive affliction as laid upon us by the hand of God.
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.