Tyndale Open Study NotesLamentations 3

The author speaks of the suffering of Judah and Jerusalem as his own.

In this chapter, the author mourns what has happened (Lamentations 3:1–20, 48–54). In this chapter, the author mourns what has happened (Lamentations 3:21–25). He explains how God’s people should respond (Lamentations 3:26–47). Finally, he calls out to the Lord in prayer (Lamentations 3:55–66).

Some interpreters understand these verses as a poetic description of Jeremiah’s time in a muddy cistern (a deep water pit) before the destruction of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 38:6–13).

barred my ways … made my paths crooked: This image describes confusion and trouble. Sin can block a person’s path and make life difficult. It can prevent a person or a community from experiencing a hopeful future.

In the Bible, a straight road often represents a good and clear future. Proverbs says that innocent people walk on a straight path (Proverbs 21:8). Isaiah describes the Lord coming on a straight road that his worshipers would prepare (Isaiah 40:3).

Compare Job 6:4.

is wormwood and the gall: Wormwood is a plant with a bitter taste. Here, it represents deep emotional pain (Proverbs 5:4; Revelation 8:11).

Gall refers to a poisonous plant. If someone eats it, it causes strong physical pain. Because of this, it became a symbol for extreme suffering and distress (Deuteronomy 29:18; Psalm 69:21).

The author feels trapped, as if there is no way out of his suffering.

God's love and faithfulness never end. Just as God was faithful in judging Jerusalem for their sins, he will be faithful in restoring those who return to him.

The faithful love of the Lord is the reason the poet begins to recover from deep despair (great sadness). The Lord’s love gives him hope again.

This experience is like Jeremiah’s rescue from a muddy cistern (Jeremiah 38:6–13) and Jonah’s rescue from the belly of the great fish (Jonah 2:2–10). In each case, the Lord saved his servant from death.

God’s faithfulness means that he is completely reliable. We see this in his daily mercies, which are new each day.

He continues to provide a world in which people can live safely.

The LORD is my portion: The land of Canaan was seen as Israel’s inheritance since the time of Moses (Exodus 15:17; Joshua 21:19; 1 Chronicles 28:8; Psalm 47:4). However, the true inheritance for God's people is God himself (see Psalm 16:5–6; Ephesians 1:11; Hebrews 9:15; 1 Peter 1:3–4).

Those who trust in God’s plan can wait patiently and quietly for him to bring deliverance (rescue and restoration).

sit alone in silence: Humble submission keeps you from speaking and calms your heart.

• In the ancient Near East, lying face down in the dust showed submission (Genesis 17:1–3; Leviticus 9:24; Joshua 7:6; 1 Samuel 5:4; 1 Kings 18:39; 1 Chronicles 21:16; Matthew 17:5–6).

• To turn the other cheek shows a willingness to submit rather than fight back. Jesus likely had this verse in mind when he taught his disciples to accept persecution (Matthew 5:39).

  This response shows trust that God rules over all things, even over suffering.

Compare Psalm 103:8–11.

The people of Judah were doing such things before Jerusalem was destroyed (see Jeremiah 5:26–31; 21:11–14; 23:10–14; Micah 3).

Some disasters have natural causes (Luke 13:1–5). Bad things happen to both good and bad people (Matthew 5:45). No matter what happens, we should give thanks and not complain (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Repentance is essential for receiving salvation (Isaiah 1:27; Jeremiah 3:22; Ezekiel 3:21).

The author emphasizes how cruel the enemies are and cries out to the Lord for help.

This passage might refer to Jeremiah’s experience in the cistern (Jeremiah 37:11–15; 38:1–13).

Jerusalem deserved punishment, but the enemies carried it out with undeserved cruelty. The writer calls upon God to punish them.

This prayer for vengeance is similar to several psalms (see “Prayers for Vengeance” Theme Note).