1 I AM the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.
2 He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light.
3 Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day.
4 My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones.
5 He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.
6 He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old.
7 He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy.
8 Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.
9 He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked.
10 He was unto me as a bear lying in wait, and as a lion in secret places.
11 He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate.
12 He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.
13 He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins.
14 I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day.
15 He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood.
16 He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.
17 And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity.
18 And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD:
19 Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke of his youth.
28 He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.
29 He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.
30 He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.
31 For the LORD will not cast off for ever:
32 But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.
33 For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
34 To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth.
35 To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High,
36 To subvert a man in his cause, the LORD approveth not.
37 Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?
38 Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?
39 Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.
41 Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.
42 We have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned.
43 Thou hast covered with anger, and persecuted us: thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied.
44 Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through.
45 Thou hast made us as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the people.
46 All our enemies have opened their mouths against us.
47 Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction.
48 Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
49 Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission.
50 Till the LORD look down, and behold from heaven.
51 Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city.
52 Mine enemies chased me sore, like a bird, without cause.
53 They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.
54 Waters flowed over mine head; then I said, I am cut off.
55 I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon.
56 Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.
57 Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.
58 O LORD, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.
59 O LORD, thou hast seen my wrong: judge thou my cause.
60 Thou hast seen all their vengeance and all their imaginations against me.
61 Thou hast heard their reproach, O LORD, and all their imaginations against me;
62 The lips of those that rose up against me, and their device against me all the day.
63 Behold their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their musick.
64 Render unto them a recompence, O LORD, according to the work of their hands.
65 Give them sorrow of heart, thy curse unto them.
66 Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the LORD.
1 I am the man H1397 that hath seen H7200 affliction H6040 by the rod H7626 of his wrath. H5678
2 He hath led H5090 me, and brought H3212 me into darkness, H2822 but not into light. H216
3 Surely against me is he turned; H7725 he turneth H2015 his hand H3027 against me all the day. H3117
4 My flesh H1320 and my skin H5785 hath he made old; H1086 he hath broken H7665 my bones. H6106
5 He hath builded against H1129 me, and compassed H5362 me with gall H7219 and travail. H8513
6 He hath set H3427 me in dark places, H4285 as they that be dead H4191 of old. H5769
7 He hath hedged H1443 me about, that I cannot get out: H3318 he hath made my chain H5178 heavy. H3513
8 Also when I cry H2199 and shout, H7768 he shutteth out H5640 my prayer. H8605
9 He hath inclosed H1443 my ways H1870 with hewn stone, H1496 he hath made my paths H5410 crooked. H5753
10 He was unto me as a bear H1677 lying in wait, H693 and as a lion H738 in secret places. H4565
11 He hath turned aside H5493 my ways, H1870 and pulled me in pieces: H6582 he hath made H7760 me desolate. H8074
12 He hath bent H1869 his bow, H7198 and set H5324 me as a mark H4307 for the arrow. H2671
13 He hath caused the arrows H1121 of his quiver H827 to enter H935 into my reins. H3629
14 I was a derision H7814 to all my people; H5971 and their song H5058 all the day. H3117
15 He hath filled H7646 me with bitterness, H4844 he hath made me drunken H7301 with wormwood. H3939
16 He hath also broken H1638 my teeth H8127 with gravel stones, H2687 he hath covered H3728 me with ashes. H665
17 And thou hast removed H2186 my soul H5315 far off H2186 from peace: H7965 I forgat H5382 prosperity. H2896
18 And I said, H559 My strength H5331 and my hope H8431 is perished H6 from the LORD: H3068
19 Remembering H2142 mine affliction H6040 and my misery, H4788 the wormwood H3939 and the gall. H7219
20 My soul H5315 hath them still H2142 in remembrance, H2142 and is humbled H7743 in me.
21 This I recall H7725 to my mind, H3820 therefore have I hope. H3176
22 It is of the LORD'S H3068 mercies H2617 that we are not consumed, H8552 because his compassions H7356 fail H3615 not.
23 They are new H2319 every morning: H1242 great H7227 is thy faithfulness. H530
24 The LORD H3068 is my portion, H2506 saith H559 my soul; H5315 therefore will I hope H3176 in him.
25 The LORD H3068 is good H2896 unto them that wait H6960 for him, to the soul H5315 that seeketh H1875 him.
26 It is good H2896 that a man should both hope H3175 H2342 and quietly wait H1748 for the salvation H8668 of the LORD. H3068
27 It is good H2896 for a man H1397 that he bear H5375 the yoke H5923 in his youth. H5271
28 He sitteth H3427 alone H910 and keepeth silence, H1826 because he hath borne H5190 it upon him.
29 He putteth H5414 his mouth H6310 in the dust; H6083 if so be there may be H3426 hope. H8615
30 He giveth H5414 his cheek H3895 to him that smiteth H5221 him: he is filled full H7646 with reproach. H2781
31 For the Lord H136 will not cast off H2186 for ever: H5769
32 But though he cause grief, H3013 yet will he have compassion H7355 according to the multitude H7230 of his mercies. H2617
33 For he doth not afflict H6031 willingly H3820 nor grieve H3013 the children H1121 of men. H376
34 To crush H1792 under his feet H7272 all the prisoners H615 of the earth, H776
35 To turn aside H5186 the right H4941 of a man H1397 before the face H6440 of the most High, H5945
36 To subvert H5791 a man H120 in his cause, H7379 the Lord H136 approveth H7200 not.
37 Who is he that saith, H559 and it cometh to pass, when the Lord H136 commandeth H6680 it not?
38 Out of the mouth H6310 of the most High H5945 proceedeth H3318 not evil H7451 and good? H2896
39 Wherefore doth a living H2416 man H120 complain, H596 a man H1397 for the punishment of his sins? H2399
40 Let us search H2664 and try H2713 our ways, H1870 and turn again H7725 to the LORD. H3068
41 Let us lift up H5375 our heart H3824 with our hands H3709 unto God H410 in the heavens. H8064
42 We H5168 have transgressed H6586 and have rebelled: H4784 thou hast not pardoned. H5545
43 Thou hast covered H5526 with anger, H639 and persecuted H7291 us: thou hast slain, H2026 thou hast not pitied. H2550
44 Thou hast covered H5526 thyself with a cloud, H6051 that our prayer H8605 should not pass through. H5674
45 Thou hast made H7760 us as the offscouring H5501 and refuse H3973 in the midst H7130 of the people. H5971
46 All our enemies H341 have opened H6475 their mouths H6310 against us.
47 Fear H6343 and a snare H6354 is come upon us, desolation H7612 and destruction. H7667
48 Mine eye H5869 runneth down H3381 with rivers H6388 of water H4325 for the destruction H7667 of the daughter H1323 of my people. H5971
49 Mine eye H5869 trickleth down, H5064 and ceaseth H1820 not, without any intermission, H2014
50 Till the LORD H3068 look down, H8259 and behold H7200 from heaven. H8064
51 Mine eye H5869 affecteth H5953 mine heart H5315 because of all the daughters H1323 of my city. H5892
52 Mine enemies H341 chased H6679 me sore, H6679 like a bird, H6833 without cause. H2600
53 They have cut off H6789 my life H2416 in the dungeon, H953 and cast H3034 a stone H68 upon me.
54 Waters H4325 flowed over H6687 mine head; H7218 then I said, H559 I am cut off. H1504
55 I called H7121 upon thy name, H8034 O LORD, H3068 out of the low H8482 dungeon. H953
56 Thou hast heard H8085 my voice: H6963 hide H5956 not thine ear H241 at my breathing, H7309 at my cry. H7775
57 Thou drewest near H7126 in the day H3117 that I called H7121 upon thee: thou saidst, H559 Fear H3372 not.
58 O Lord, H136 thou hast pleaded H7378 the causes H7379 of my soul; H5315 thou hast redeemed H1350 my life. H2416
59 O LORD, H3068 thou hast seen H7200 my wrong: H5792 judge H8199 thou my cause. H4941
60 Thou hast seen H7200 all their vengeance H5360 and all their imaginations H4284 against me.
61 Thou hast heard H8085 their reproach, H2781 O LORD, H3068 and all their imaginations H4284 against me;
62 The lips H8193 of those that rose up H6965 against me, and their device H1902 against me all the day. H3117
63 Behold H5027 their sitting down, H3427 and their rising up; H7012 I am their musick. H4485
64 Render H7725 unto them a recompence, H1576 O LORD, H3068 according to the work H4639 of their hands. H3027
65 Give H5414 them sorrow H4044 of heart, H3820 thy curse H8381 unto them.
66 Persecute H7291 and destroy H8045 them in anger H639 from under the heavens H8064 of the LORD. H3068
1 I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.
2 He hath led me and caused me to walk in darkness, and not in light.
3 Surely against me he turneth his hand again and again all the day.
4 My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones.
5 He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.
6 He hath made me to dwell in dark places, as those that have been long dead.
7 He hath walled me about, that I cannot go forth; he hath made my chain heavy.
8 Yea, when I cry, and call for help, he shutteth out my prayer.
9 He hath walled up my ways with hewn stone; he hath made my paths crooked.
10 He is unto me as a bear lying in wait, as a lion in secret places.
11 He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces; he hath made me desolate.
12 He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.
13 He hath caused the shafts of his quiver to enter into my reins.
14 I am become a derision to all my people, and their song all the day.
15 He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath sated me with wormwood.
16 He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones; he hath covered me with ashes.
17 And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace; I forgat prosperity.
18 And I said, My strength is perished, and mine expectation from Jehovah.
19 Remember mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is bowed down within me.
21 This I recall to my mind; therefore have I hope.
22 `It is of' Jehovah's lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.
24 Jehovah is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
25 Jehovah is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
26 It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of Jehovah.
27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.
28 Let him sit alone and keep silence, because he hath laid it upon him.
29 Let him put his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope.
30 Let him give his cheek to him that smiteth him; let him be filled full with reproach.
31 For the Lord will not cast off for ever.
32 For though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.
33 For he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.
34 To crush under foot all the prisoners of the earth,
35 To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the Most High,
36 To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not.
37 Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?
38 Out of the mouth of the Most High cometh there not evil and good?
39 Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to Jehovah.
41 Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.
42 We have transgressed and have rebelled; thou hast not pardoned.
43 Thou hast covered with anger and pursued us; thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied.
44 Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, so that no prayer can pass through.
45 Thou hast made us an off-scouring and refuse in the midst of the peoples.
46 All our enemies have opened their mouth wide against us.
47 Fear and the pit are come upon us, devastation and destruction.
48 Mine eye runneth down with streams of water, for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
49 Mine eye poureth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission,
50 Till Jehovah look down, and behold from heaven.
51 Mine eye affecteth my soul, because of all the daughters of my city.
52 They have chased me sore like a bird, they that are mine enemies without cause.
53 They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and have cast a stone upon me.
54 Waters flowed over my head; I said, I am cut off.
55 I called upon thy name, O Jehovah, out of the lowest dungeon.
56 Thou heardest my voice; hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.
57 Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee; thou saidst, Fear not.
58 O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.
59 O Jehovah, thou hast seen my wrong; judge thou my cause.
60 Thou hast seen all their vengeance and all their devices against me.
61 Thou hast heard their reproach, O Jehovah, and all their devices against me,
62 The lips of those that rose up against me, and their device against me all the day.
63 Behold thou their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their song.
64 Thou wilt render unto them a recompense, O Jehovah, according to the work of their hands.
65 Thou wilt give them hardness of heart, thy curse unto them.
66 Thou wilt pursue them in anger, and destroy them from under the heavens of Jehovah.
1 I `am' the man `who' hath seen affliction By the rod of His wrath.
2 Me He hath led, and causeth to go `in' darkness, and without light.
3 Surely against me He turneth back, He turneth His hand all the day.
4 He hath worn out my flesh and my skin. He hath broken my bones.
5 He hath built up against me, And setteth round poverty and weariness.
6 In dark places He hath caused me to dwell, As the dead of old.
7 He hath hedged me about, and I go not out, He hath made heavy my fetter.
8 Also when I call and cry out, He hath shut out my prayer.
9 He hath hedged my ways with hewn work, My paths He hath made crooked.
10 A bear lying in wait He `is' to me, A lion in secret hiding-places.
11 My ways He is turning aside, and He pulleth me in pieces, He hath made me a desolation.
12 He hath trodden His bow, And setteth me up as a mark for an arrow.
13 He hath caused to enter into my reins The sons of His quiver.
14 I have been a derision to all my people, Their song all the day.
15 He hath filled me with bitter things, He hath filled me `with' wormwood.
16 And He breaketh with gravel my teeth, He hath covered me with ashes.
17 And Thou castest off from peace my soul, I have forgotten prosperity.
18 And I say, Perished hath my strength and my hope from Jehovah.
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?
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!
1 I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.
2 Me hath he led, and brought into darkness, and not into light.
3 Surely against me hath he turned again and again his hand all the day.
4 My flesh and my skin hath he wasted away, he hath broken my bones.
5 He hath built against me, and encompassed [me] with gall and toil.
6 He hath made me to dwell in dark places as those that have been long dead.
7 He hath hedged me about that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy.
8 Even when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.
9 He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked.
10 He is unto me [as] a bear lying in wait, a lion in secret places.
11 He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces; he hath made me desolate.
12 He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.
13 He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins.
14 I am become a derision to all my people; their song all the day.
15 He hath sated me with bitterness, he hath made me drunk with wormwood.
16 He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.
17 And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I have forgotten prosperity.
18 And I said, My strength is perished, and my hope in Jehovah.
19 Remember thou mine affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and the gall.
20 My soul hath [them] constantly in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
21 -- This I recall to heart, therefore have I hope.
22 It is of Jehovah's loving-kindness we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not;
23 they are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
24 Jehovah is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
25 Jehovah is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul [that] seeketh him.
26 It is good that one should both wait, and that in silence, for the salvation of Jehovah.
27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth:
28 He sitteth solitary and keepeth silence, because he hath laid it upon him;
29 he putteth his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope;
30 he giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him; he is filled full with reproach.
31 For the Lord will not cast off for ever;
32 but if he have caused grief, he will have compassion according to the multitude of his loving-kindnesses:
33 for he doth not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men.
34 To crush under foot all the prisoners of the earth,
35 to turn aside the right of a man before the face of the Most High,
36 to wrong a man in his cause, -- will not the Lord see it?
37 Who is he that saith, and there cometh to pass, what the Lord hath not commanded?
38 Out of the mouth of the Most High doth not there proceed evil and good?
39 Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to Jehovah.
41 Let us lift up our heart with [our] hands unto ùGod in the heavens.
42 We have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned.
43 Thou hast covered thyself with anger, and pursued us; thou hast slain, thou hast not spared.
44 Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that prayer should not pass through.
45 Thou hast made us the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the peoples.
46 All our enemies have opened their mouth against us.
47 Fear and the pit are come upon us, devastation and ruin.
48 Mine eye runneth down with streams of water for the ruin of the daughter of my people.
49 Mine eye poureth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission,
50 till Jehovah look down and behold from the heavens.
51 Mine eye affecteth my soul, because of all the daughters of my city.
52 They that are mine enemies without cause have chased me sore like a bird.
53 They have cut off my life in a pit, and cast a stone upon me.
54 Waters streamed over my head; I said, I am cut off.
55 I called upon thy name, Jehovah, out of the lowest pit.
56 Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my sighing, at my cry.
57 Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee; thou saidst, Fear not.
58 Lord, thou hast pleaded the cause of my soul, thou hast redeemed my life.
59 Jehovah, thou hast seen my wrong: judge thou my cause.
60 Thou hast seen all their vengeance, all their imaginations against me.
61 Thou hast heard their reproach, O Jehovah, all their imaginations against me;
62 the lips of those that rise up against me and their meditation against me all the day.
63 Behold thou their sitting down and their rising up: I am their song.
64 Render unto them a recompence, O Jehovah, according to the work of their hands;
65 give them obduracy of heart, thy curse unto them;
66 pursue them in anger, and destroy them from under the heavens of Jehovah.
1 I am the man that has seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.
2 He has led me and caused me to walk in darkness, and not in light.
3 Surely against me he turns his hand again and again all the day.
4 My flesh and my skin has he made old; he has broken my bones.
5 He has built against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.
6 He has made me to dwell in dark places, as those that have been long dead.
7 He has walled me about, that I can't go forth; he has made my chain heavy.
8 Yes, when I cry, and call for help, he shuts out my prayer.
9 He has walled up my ways with hewn stone; he has made my paths crooked.
10 He is to me as a bear lying in wait, as a lion in secret places.
11 He has turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces; he has made me desolate.
12 He has bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.
13 He has caused the shafts of his quiver to enter into my reins.
14 I am become a derision to all my people, and their song all the day.
15 He has filled me with bitterness, he has sated me with wormwood.
16 He has also broken my teeth with gravel stones; he has covered me with ashes.
17 You have removed my soul far off from peace; I forgot prosperity.
18 I said, My strength is perished, and my expectation from Yahweh.
19 Remember my affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
20 My soul still remembers them, and is bowed down within me.
21 This I recall to my mind; therefore have I hope.
22 [It is of] Yahweh's loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn't fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
24 Yahweh is my portion, says my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
25 Yahweh is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him.
26 It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of Yahweh.
27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.
28 Let him sit alone and keep silence, because he has laid it on him.
29 Let him put his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope.
30 Let him give his cheek to him who strikes him; let him be filled full with reproach.
31 For the Lord will not cast off forever.
32 For though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.
33 For he does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.
34 To crush under foot all the prisoners of the earth,
35 To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the Most High,
36 To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord doesn't approve.
37 Who is he who says, and it comes to pass, when the Lord doesn't command it?
38 Doesn't evil and good come out of the mouth of the Most High?
39 Why does a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to Yahweh.
41 Let us lift up our heart with our hands to God in the heavens.
42 We have transgressed and have rebelled; you have not pardoned.
43 You have covered with anger and pursued us; you have killed, you have not pitied.
44 You have covered yourself with a cloud, so that no prayer can pass through.
45 You have made us an off-scouring and refuse in the midst of the peoples.
46 All our enemies have opened their mouth wide against us.
47 Fear and the pit are come on us, devastation and destruction.
48 My eye runs down with streams of water, for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
49 My eye pours down, and doesn't cease, without any intermission,
50 Until Yahweh look down, and see from heaven.
51 My eye affects my soul, because of all the daughters of my city.
52 They have chased me sore like a bird, those who are my enemies without cause.
53 They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and have cast a stone on me.
54 Waters flowed over my head; I said, I am cut off.
55 I called on your name, Yahweh, out of the lowest dungeon.
56 You heard my voice; don't hide your ear at my breathing, at my cry.
57 You drew near in the day that I called on you; you said, Don't be afraid.
58 Lord, you have pleaded the causes of my soul; you have redeemed my life.
59 Yahweh, you have seen my wrong; judge you my cause.
60 You have seen all their vengeance and all their devices against me.
61 You have heard their reproach, Yahweh, and all their devices against me,
62 The lips of those that rose up against me, and their device against me all the day.
63 See you their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their song.
64 You will render to them a recompense, Yahweh, according to the work of their hands.
65 You will give them hardness of heart, your curse to them.
66 You will pursue them in anger, and destroy them from under the heavens of Yahweh.
1 I am the man who has seen trouble by the rod of his wrath.
2 By him I have been made to go in the dark where there is no light.
3 Truly against me his hand has been turned again and again all the day.
4 My flesh and my skin have been used up by him and my bones broken.
5 He has put up a wall against me, shutting me in with bitter sorrow.
6 He has kept me in dark places, like those who have been long dead.
7 He has put a wall round me, so that I am not able to go out; he has made great the weight of my chain.
8 Even when I send up a cry for help, he keeps my prayer shut out.
9 He has put up a wall of cut stones about my ways, he has made my roads twisted.
10 He is like a bear waiting for me, like a lion in secret places.
11 By him my ways have been turned on one side and I have been pulled in bits; he has made me waste.
12 With his bow bent, he has made me the mark for his arrows.
13 He has let loose his arrows into the inmost parts of my body.
14 I have become the sport of all the peoples; I am their song all the day.
15 He has made my life nothing but pain, he has given me the bitter root in full measure.
16 By him my teeth have been broken with crushed stones, and I am bent low in the dust.
17 My soul is sent far away from peace, I have no more memory of good.
18 And I said, My strength is cut off, and my hope from the Lord.
19 Keep in mind my trouble and my wandering, the bitter root and the poison.
20 My soul still keeps the memory of them; and is bent down in me.
21 This I keep in mind, and because of this I have hope.
22 It is through the Lord's love that we have not come to destruction, because his mercies have no limit.
23 They are new every morning; great is your good faith.
24 I said to myself, The Lord is my heritage; and because of this I will have hope in him.
25 The Lord is good to those who are waiting for him, to the soul which is looking for him.
26 It is good to go on hoping and quietly waiting for the salvation of the Lord.
27 It is good for a man to undergo the yoke when he is young.
28 Let him be seated by himself, saying nothing, because he has put it on him.
29 Let him put his mouth in the dust, if by chance there may be hope.
30 Let his face be turned to him who gives him blows; let him be full of shame.
31 For the Lord does not give a man up for ever.
32 For though he sends grief, still he will have pity in the full measure of his love.
33 For he has no pleasure in troubling and causing grief to the children of men.
34 In a man's crushing under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,
35 In his turning away the right of a man before the face of the Most High.
36 In his doing wrong to a man in his cause, the Lord has no pleasure.
37 Who is able to say a thing, and give effect to it, if it has not been ordered by the Lord?
38 Do not evil and good come from the mouth of the Most High?
39 What protest may a living man make, even a man about the punishment of his sin?
40 Let us make search and put our ways to the test, turning again to the Lord;
41 Lifting up our hearts with our hands to God in the heavens.
42 We have done wrong and gone against your law; we have not had your forgiveness.
43 Covering yourself with wrath you have gone after us, cutting us off without pity;
44 Covering yourself with a cloud, so that prayer may not get through.
45 You have made us like waste and that for which there is no use, among the peoples.
46 The mouths of all our haters are open wide against us.
47 Fear and deep waters have come on us, wasting and destruction.
48 Rivers of water are running down from my eyes, for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
49 My eyes are streaming without stopping, they have no rest,
50 Till the Lord's eye is turned on me, till he sees my trouble from heaven.
51 The Lord is unkind to my soul, more than all the daughters of my town.
52 They who are against me without cause have gone hard after me as if I was a bird;
53 They have put an end to my life in the prison, stoning me with stones.
54 Waters were flowing over my head; I said, I am cut off.
55 I was making prayer to your name, O Lord, out of the lowest prison.
56 My voice came to you; let not your ear be shut to my breathing, to my cry.
57 You came near in the day when I made my prayer to you: you said, Have no fear.
58 O Lord, you have taken up the cause of my soul, you have made my life safe.
59 O Lord, you have seen my wrong; be judge in my cause.
60 You have seen all the evil rewards they have sent on me, and all their designs against me.
61 Their bitter words have come to your ears, O Lord, and all their designs against me;
62 The lips of those who came up against me, and their thoughts against me all the day.
63 Take note of them when they are seated, and when they get up; I am their song.
64 You will give them their reward, O Lord, answering to the work of their hands.
65 You will let their hearts be covered over with your curse on them.
66 You will go after them in wrath, and put an end to them from under the heavens of the Lord.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Lamentations 3
Commentary on Lamentations 3 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 3
La 3:1-66.
Jeremiah proposes his own experience under afflictions, as an example as to how the Jews should behave under theirs, so as to have hope of a restoration; hence the change from singular to plural (La 3:22, 40-47). The stanzas consist of three lines, each of which begins with the same Hebrew letter.
Aleph.
1-3. seen affliction—his own in the dungeon of Malchiah (Jer 38:6); that of his countrymen also in the siege. Both were types of that of Christ.
2. darkness—calamity.
light—prosperity.
3. turneth … hand—to inflict again and again new strokes. "His hand," which once used to protect me. "Turned … turneth" implies repeated inflictions.
Beth.
4-6. (Job 16:8).
5. builded—mounds, as against a besieged city, so as to allow none to escape (so La 3:7, 9).
6. set me—Henderson refers this to the custom of placing the dead in a sitting posture.
dark places—sepulchers. As those "dead long since"; so Jeremiah and his people are consigned to oblivion (Ps 88:5, 6; 143:3; Eze 37:13).
Gimel.
7-9. hedged—(Job 3:23; Ho 2:6).
chain—literally, "chain of brass."
8. shutteth out—image from a door shutting out any entrance (Job 30:20). So the antitype. Christ (Ps 22:2).
9. hewn stone—which coheres so closely as not to admit of being broken through.
paths crooked—thwarted our plans and efforts so that none went right.
Daleth.
10-13. (Job 10:16; Ho 13:7, 8).
11. turned aside—made me wander out of the right way, so as to become a prey to wild beasts.
pulled in pieces—(Ho 6:1), as a "bear" or a "lion" (La 3:10).
12. (Job 7:20).
He.
13-15. arrows—literally, "sons" of His quiver (compare Job 6:4).
14. (Jer 20:7).
their song—(Ps 69:12). Jeremiah herein was a type of Messiah. "All my people" (Joh 1:11).
15. wormwood—(Jer 9:15). There it is regarded as food, namely, the leaves: here as drink, namely, the juice.
Vau.
16-18. gravel—referring to the grit that often mixes with bread baked in ashes, as is the custom of baking in the East (Pr 20:17). We fare as hardly as those who eat such bread. The same allusion is in "Covered me with ashes," namely, as bread.
17. Not only present, but all hope of future prosperity is removed; so much so, that I am as one who never was prosperous ("I forgat prosperity").
18. from the Lord—that is, my hope derived from Him (Ps 31:22).
Zain.
19-21. This gives the reason why he gave way to the temptation to despair. The Margin, "Remember" does not suit the sense so well.
wormwood … gall—(Jer 9:15).
20. As often as my soul calls them to remembrance, it is humbled or bowed down in me.
21. This—namely, what follows; the view of the divine character (La 3:22, 23). Calvin makes "this" refer to Jeremiah's infirmity. His very weakness (La 3:19, 20) gives him hope of God interposing His strength for him (compare Ps 25:11, 17; 42:5, 8; 2Co 12:9, 10).
Cheth.
22-24. (Mal 3:6).
23. (Isa 33:2).
24. (Nu 18:20; Ps 16:5; 73:26; 119:57; Jer 10:16). To have God for our portion is the one only foundation of hope.
Teth.
25-27. The repetition of "good" at the beginning of each of the three verses heightens the effect.
wait—(Isa 30:18).
26. quietly wait—literally, "be in silence." Compare La 3:28 and Ps 39:2, 9, that is, to be patiently quiet under afflictions, resting in the will of God (Ps 37:7). So Aaron (Le 10:2, 3); and Job (Job 40:4, 5).
27. yoke—of the Lord's disciplinary teaching (Ps 90:12; 119:71). Calvin interprets it, The Lord's doctrine (Mt 11:29, 30), which is to be received in a docile spirit. The earlier the better; for the old are full of prejudices (Pr 8:17; Ec 12:1). Jeremiah himself received the yoke, both of doctrine and chastisement in his youth (Jer 1:6, 7).
Jod.
28-30. The fruit of true docility and patience. He does not fight against the yoke (Jer 31:18; Ac 9:5), but accommodates himself to it.
alone—The heathen applauded magnanimity, but they looked to display and the praise of men. The child of God, in the absence of any witness, "alone," silently submits to the will of God.
borne it upon him—that is, because he is used to bearing it on him. Rather, "because He (the Lord, La 3:26) hath laid it on him" [Vatablus].
29. (Job 42:6). The mouth in the dust is the attitude of suppliant and humble submission to God's dealings as righteous and loving in design (compare Ezr 9:6; 1Co 14:25).
if so be there may be hope—This does not express doubt as to whether God be willing to receive the penitent, but the penitent's doubt as to himself; he whispers to himself this consolation, "Perhaps there may be hope for me."
30. Messiah, the Antitype, fulfilled this; His practice agreeing with His precept (Isa 50:6; Mt 5:39). Many take patiently afflictions from God, but when man wrongs them, they take it impatiently. The godly bear resignedly the latter, like the former, as sent by God (Ps 17:13).
Caph.
31-33. True repentance is never without hope (Ps 94:14).
32. The punishments of the godly are but for a time.
33. He does not afflict any willingly (literally, "from His heart," that is, as if He had any pleasure in it, Eze 33:11), much less the godly (Heb 12:10).
Lamed.
34-36. This triplet has an infinitive in the beginning of each verse, the governing finite verb being in the end of La 3:36, "the Lord approveth not," which is to be repeated in each verse. Jeremiah here anticipates and answers the objections which the Jews might start, that it was by His connivance they were "crushed under the feet" of those who "turned aside the right of a man." God approves (literally, "seeth," Hab 1:13; so "behold," "look on," that is, look on with approval) not of such unrighteous acts; and so the Jews may look for deliverance and the punishment of their foes.
35. before … face of … most High—Any "turning aside" of justice in court is done before the face of God, who is present, and "regardeth," though unseen (Ec 5:8).
36. subvert—to wrong.
Mem.
37-39. Who is it that can (as God, Ps 33:9) effect by a word anything, without the will of God?
38. evil … good—Calamity and prosperity alike proceed from God (Job 2:10; Isa 45:7; Am 3:6).
39. living—and so having a time yet given him by God for repentance. If sin were punished as it deserves, life itself would be forfeited by the sinner. "Complaining" (murmuring) ill becomes him who enjoys such a favor as life (Pr 19:3).
for the punishment of his sins—Instead of blaming God for his sufferings, he ought to recognize in them God's righteousness and the just rewards of his own sin.
Nun.
40-42. us—Jeremiah and his fellow countrymen in their calamity.
search—as opposed to the torpor wherewith men rest only on their outward sufferings, without attending to the cause of them (Ps 139:23, 24).
41. heart with … hands—the antidote to hypocrisy (Ps 86:4; 1Ti 2:8).
42. not pardoned—The Babylonian captivity had not yet ended.
Samech.
43-45. covered—namely, thyself (so La 3:44), so as not to see and pity our calamities, for even the most cruel in seeing a sad spectacle are moved to pity. Compare as to God "hiding His face," Ps 10:11; 22:25.
44. (La 3:8). The "cloud" is our sins, and God's wrath because of them (Isa 44:22; 59:2).
45. So the apostles were treated; but, instead of murmuring, they rejoiced at it (1Co 4:13).
Pe.
46-48. Pe is put before Ain (La 3:43, 46), as in La 2:16, 17; 4:16, 17. (La 2:16.)
47. Like animals fleeing in fear, we fall into the snare laid for us.
48. (Jer 4:19).
Ain.
49-51. without … intermission—or else, "because there is no intermission" [Piscator], namely, of my miseries.
50. Till—His prayer is not without hope, wherein it differs from the blind grief of unbelievers.
look down, &c.—(Isa 63:15).
51. eye affecteth mine heart—that is, causeth me grief with continual tears; or, "affecteth my life" (literally, "soul," Margin), that is, my health [Grotius].
daughters of … city—the towns around, dependencies of Jerusalem, taken by the foe.
Tzaddi.
52-54. a bird—which is destitute of counsel and strength. The allusion seems to be to Pr 1:17 [Calvin].
without cause—(Ps 69:4; 109:3, 4). Type of Messiah (Joh 15:25).
53. in … dungeon—(Jer 37:16).
stone—usually put at the mouth of a dungeon to secure the prisoners (Jos 10:18; Da 6:17; Mt 27:60).
54. Waters—not literally, for there was "no water" (Jer 38:6) in the place of Jeremiah's confinement, but emblematical of overwhelming calamities (Ps 69:2; 124:4, 5).
cut off—(Isa 38:10, 11). I am abandoned by God. He speaks according to carnal sense.
Koph.
55-57. I called out of dungeon—Thus the spirit resists the flesh, and faith spurns the temptation [Calvin], (Ps 130:1; Jon 2:2).
56. Thou hast heard—namely formerly (so in La 3:57, 58).
breathing … cry—two kinds of prayer; the sigh of a prayer silently breathed forth, and the loud, earnest cry (compare "prayer," "secret speech," Isa 26:16, Margin; with "cry aloud," Ps 55:17).
57. Thou drewest near—with Thy help (Jas 4:8).
Resh.
58-60. Jeremiah cites God's gracious answers to his prayers as an encouragement to his fellow countrymen, to trust in Him.
pleaded—(Ps 35:1; Mic 7:9).
59. God's past deliverances and His knowledge of Judah's wrongs are made the grounds of prayer for relief.
60. imaginations—devices (Jer 11:19).
Their vengeance—means their malice. Jeremiah gives his conduct, when plotted against by his foes, as an example how the Jews should bring their wrongs at the hands of the Chaldeans before God.
Schin.
61-63. their reproach—their reproachful language against me.
62. lips—speeches.
63. sitting down … rising up—whether they sit or rise, that is, whether they be actively engaged or sedentary, and at rest "all the day" (La 3:62), I am the subject of their derisive songs (La 3:14).
Tau.
64-66. (Jer 11:20; 2Ti 4:14).
65. sorrow—rather, blindness or hardness; literally, "a veil" covering their heart, so that they may rush on to their own ruin (Isa 6:10; 2Co 3:14, 15).
66. from under … heavens of … Lord—destroy them so that it may be seen everywhere under heaven that thou sittest above as Judge of the world.