39 What—sigh habitually doth a living man, A man for his sin? 40 We search our ways, and investigate, And turn back unto Jehovah. 41 We lift up our heart on the hands unto God in the heavens.
42 We—we have transgressed and rebelled, Thou—Thou hast not forgiven. 43 Thou hast covered Thyself with anger, And dost pursue us; Thou hast slain—Thou hast not pitied. 44 Thou hast covered Thyself with a cloud, So that prayer doth not pass through. 45 Offscouring and refuse Thou dost make us In the midst of the peoples. 46 Opened against us their mouth have all our enemies. 47 Fear and a snare hath been for us, Desolation and destruction. 48 Rivulets of water go down my eye, For the destruction of the daughter of my people. 49 Mine eye is poured out, And doth not cease without intermission, 50 Till Jehovah looketh and seeth from the heavens, 51 My eye affecteth my soul, Because of all the daughters of my city. 52 Hunted me sore as a bird have my enemies without cause. 53 They have cut off in a pit my life, And they cast a stone against me. 54 Flowed have waters over my head, I have said, I have been cut off.
55 I called Thy name, O Jehovah, from the lower pit. 56 My voice Thou hast heard, Hide not Thine ear at my breathing—at my cry. 57 Thou hast drawn near in the day I call Thee, Thou hast said, Fear not. 58 Thou hast pleaded, O Lord, the pleadings of my soul, Thou hast redeemed my life. 59 Thou hast seen, O Jehovah, my overthrow, Judge Thou my cause. 60 Thou hast seen all their vengeance, All their thoughts of me. 61 Thou hast heard their reproach, O Jehovah, All their thoughts against me, 62 The lips of my withstanders, Even their meditation against me all the day. 63 Their sitting down, and their rising up, Behold attentively, I 'am' their song. 64 Thou returnest to them the deed, O Jehovah, According to the work of their hands. 65 Thou givest to them a covered heart, Thy curse to them. 66 Thou pursuest in anger, and destroyest them, From under the heavens of Jehovah!
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.