Lamentations 3:8
Lamentations 3:8 in Multiple Translations
Even when I cry out and plead for help, He shuts out my prayer.
Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.
Yea, when I cry, and call for help, he shutteth out my prayer.
Even when I send up a cry for help, he keeps my prayer shut out.
Even when I keep on crying out for help, he refuses to listen to my prayer.
Also when I cry and showte, hee shutteth out my prayer.
Also when I call and cry out, He hath shut out my prayer.
Yes, when I cry, and call for help, he shuts out my prayer.
Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.
Ghimel. Yea, and when I cry, and entreat, he hath shut out my prayer.
Although I call out and cry out for him to help me, he does not pay attention to my prayers.
Berean Amplified Bible — Lamentations 3:8
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Lamentations 3:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
גַּ֣ם
כִּ֤י
אֶזְעַק֙
וַ/אֲשַׁוֵּ֔עַ
שָׂתַ֖ם
תְּפִלָּתִֽ/י
גַּ֣ם
gam
H1571
also
DirObjM
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
אֶזְעַק֙
zâʻaq
H2199
to cry out
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
וַ/אֲשַׁוֵּ֔עַ
shâvaʻ
H7768
to cry
Conj | V-Piel-Imperf-1cs
שָׂתַ֖ם
çâtham
H5640
to close
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
תְּפִלָּתִֽ/י
tᵉphillâh
H8605
prayer
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Lamentations 3:8
גַּ֣ם
gam
H1571
"also"
DirObjM
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike
Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אֶזְעַק֙
zâʻaq
H2199
"to cry out"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
This verb means to cry out for help or announce something publicly, often in a loud voice, like a herald calling people together. It is used in the Bible to describe people crying out to God for aid. It can also mean to summon or assemble people.
Definition: 1) to cry, cry out, call, call for help 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to call (to one's aid) 1a2) to cry, cry out (in need) 1b) (Niphal) to be assembled, be called together, be joined together 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to call, call out, call together, summon 1c2) to make a crying, proclaim 1c3) to have a proclamation made 1c4) to call out to, call out at Aramaic equivalent: ze.iq (זְעִ֑ק "to cry out" H2200)
Usage: Occurs in 72 OT verses. KJV: assemble, call (together), (make a) cry (out), come with such a company, gather (together), cause to be proclaimed. See also: Exodus 2:23; Nehemiah 9:28; Psalms 22:6.
וַ/אֲשַׁוֵּ֔עַ
shâvaʻ
H7768
"to cry"
Conj | V-Piel-Imperf-1cs
To cry out in the original Hebrew means to shout for help or freedom from trouble. This verb is used to describe calling out for assistance in times of need.
Definition: (Piel) to cry out (for help), shout
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: cry (aloud, out), shout. See also: Job 19:7; Psalms 22:25; Psalms 18:7.
שָׂתַ֖ם
çâtham
H5640
"to close"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to stop or block something, like covering a hole. It can also mean to keep a secret. In the Bible, it is used to describe hiding or concealing things, like in Psalm 139:15.
Definition: 1) to stop up, shut up, keep close 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stop up 1a2) to shut up, keep close 1a3) secret (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be stopped up 1c) (Piel) to stop up
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: closed up, hidden, secret, shut out (up), stop. See also: Genesis 26:15; Nehemiah 4:1; Psalms 51:8.
תְּפִלָּתִֽ/י
tᵉphillâh
H8605
"prayer"
N-fs | Suff
In the Bible, this word means prayer or supplication, often used to describe requests to God. It appears in many Psalms, highlighting the importance of prayer in worship.
Definition: 1) prayer 1a) prayer 1b) pray a prayer 1c) house of prayer 1d) hear prayer 1e) in Ps titles (of poetic or liturgical prayer)
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: prayer. See also: 2 Samuel 7:27; Psalms 66:19; Psalms 4:2.
Study Notes — Lamentations 3:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Lamentations 3:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 3:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 3:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 3:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 3:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 3:8
- Barnes' Notes on Lamentations 3:8
- Sermons on Lamentations 3:8
Context — The Prophet’s Afflictions
6He has made me dwell in darkness like those dead for ages.
7He has walled me in so I cannot escape; He has weighed me down with chains.
8Even when I cry out and plead for help, He shuts out my prayer.
9He has barred my ways with cut stones; He has made my paths crooked. 10He is a bear lying in wait, a lion hiding in ambush.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 30:20 | I cry out to You for help, but You do not answer; when I stand up, You merely look at me. |
| 2 | Psalms 22:2 | I cry out by day, O my God, but You do not answer, and by night, but I have no rest. |
| 3 | Job 19:7 | Though I cry out, ‘Violence!’ I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice. |
| 4 | Habakkuk 1:2 | How long, O LORD, must I call for help but You do not hear, or cry out to You, “Violence!” but You do not save? |
| 5 | Lamentations 3:44 | You have covered Yourself with a cloud that no prayer can pass through. |
| 6 | Matthew 27:46 | About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” |
| 7 | Psalms 80:4 | O LORD God of Hosts, how long will Your anger smolder against the prayers of Your people? |
Lamentations 3:8 Summary
[This verse, Lamentations 3:8, describes a feeling of desperation and isolation, where it seems like even our prayers are being shut out by God. But even in these dark moments, we can trust that God is still with us, as promised in Deuteronomy 31:6. We can continue to pray, knowing that God hears us, even if we do not feel like it, as seen in 1 John 5:14-15, where we have confidence that God hears our prayers.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does it seem like God is not listening to my prayers?
This feeling of being unheard is a common experience in the Christian life, as expressed in Lamentations 3:8, but it does not mean that God has abandoned us, as seen in Psalm 23:4, where God is with us even in the darkest valleys.
Is it normal to feel like God is shutting out my prayers?
Yes, even the most faithful believers can feel this way, as the prophet Jeremiah did in Lamentations 3:8, but we must remember that God's silence does not mean He is absent, as stated in Isaiah 30:18, where God waits to be gracious to us.
How can I keep praying when it feels like God is not listening?
We must continue to pray in faith, even when it feels like our prayers are being shut out, as encouraged in Luke 18:1-8, where Jesus teaches us to pray persistently, and in Romans 8:26-27, where the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.
What can I do when I feel like I'm in a spiritual wilderness and God is not responding?
In times of spiritual dryness, we can look to the examples of biblical heroes like David, who cried out to God in Psalm 13:1-2, and remember that God is still working, even when we do not see or feel it, as stated in Isaiah 40:31, where those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I felt like God was not listening to my prayers, and how did I respond?
- How can I balance the feeling of being unheard with the truth that God is always with me, as stated in Hebrews 13:5?
- In what ways can I pray persistently, like the widow in Luke 18:1-8, when it feels like God is shutting out my prayers?
- What are some spiritual practices that can help me stay connected to God, even when I feel like I'm in a spiritual wilderness?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty, like Jeremiah did in Lamentations 3:8, even when my circumstances seem overwhelming?
Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 3:8
Also when I cry and shout,.... Cry, because of the distress of the enemy within; "shout", or cry aloud for help from others without; as persons in a prison do, to make them hear and pity their case:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 3:8
He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy. Hedged - (Job 3:23; Hosea 2:6).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 3:8
In the condition I am in, I cannot help myself, no creatures can help me, I have no hope but in God. I take the ordinary course in that case, which is prayer, I pray fervently and aloud, as those that are serious and importunate for what they desire (for shouting here signifies no more than making a loud noise, not a loud noise of joy and rejoicing, as it mostly signifies); but he deals with me as great persons that have no mind to listen to suitors, and shut their gates against them, he shutteth out my supplications: which made their case wholly desperate and remediless.
Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 3:8
Lamentations 3:8 Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.Ver. 8. Also when I cry and shout.] As poor prisoners use to do for relief and release. He shutteth out my prayer.] Or, Shutteth his ear to my prayer. This was very grievous to any good heart; more than it could be to Cicero, a stranger to the true God, who yet bewaileth the matter to his brother in these words, I would pray to the gods for those things; but that, alas! they have given over to hear my prayers.
Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 3:8
(8) He shutteth out my prayer—i.e., stops it so that it does not reach the ear of Jehovah; and it is Jehovah himself who does this.
Barnes' Notes on Lamentations 3:8
Shout - i. e. call for help. Shutteth out - Or, “shutteth in.” God has so closed up the avenues to the place in which he is immured, that his voice can find no egress.
Sermons on Lamentations 3:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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I Cry Unto Thee, and Thou Dost by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes that every cry from a suffering soul is heard by God, who is intimately aware of our pain and struggles. He compares God's responsiveness to a mother's sensit |
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Our Daily Homily - Job Part 2 by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer explores the profound themes of justice and divine knowledge in the Book of Job, emphasizing the connection between wrongdoing and its consequences. He highlights that w |
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Unanswered Prayer? by Bakht Singh | Bakht Singh preaches about the lessons we learn when God is silent, using Job's experience to illustrate the feeling of unanswered prayers and darkness in our lives. He emphasizes |
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Don't Lose Heart in Your Time of Testing by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the theme of despair and how it can push at the door of one's heart. He uses the story of Joseph from the Bible to illustrate this point. Jose |
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A Series of Proverbs Part 2 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith explores the book of Ecclesiastes, specifically focusing on chapter 6, verse 12. He emphasizes the uncertainty and brevity of life, highlighting |
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Questioning God by David Platt | This sermon delves into the book of Habakkuk, where the prophet wrestles with God over injustice, evil, and suffering. Habakkuk questions God's actions amidst the impending Babylon |
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(Through the Bible) Galatians 3 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that true belief in God is not just a verbal assent to the truth, but it is demonstrated through actions. He uses the example of a hypotheti |