18 Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?
18 Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame?
18 Why did I come out from the womb to see toil and sorrow, and spend my days in shame?
18 Why, oh why, did I ever leave that womb? Life's been nothing but trouble and tears, and what's coming is more of the same.
18 Why did I come forth from the womb to see labor and sorrow, That my days should be consumed with shame?
18 Why was I ever born? My entire life has been filled with trouble, sorrow, and shame.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 20:18
Commentary on Jeremiah 20:14-18
(Read Jeremiah 20:14-18)
When grace has the victory, it is good to be ashamed of our folly, to admire the goodness of God, and be warned to guard our spirits another time. See how strong the temptation was, over which the prophet got the victory by Divine assistance! He is angry that his first breath was not his last. While we remember that these wishes are not recorded for us to utter the like, we may learn good lessons from them. See how much those who think they stand, ought to take heed lest they fall, and to pray daily, Lead us not into temptation. How frail, changeable, and sinful is man! How foolish and unnatural are the thoughts and wishes of our hearts, when we yield to discontent! Let us consider Him who endured the contradiction of sinners against himself, lest we should be at any time weary and faint in our minds under our lesser trials.