Lamentations 3
DOYLY— like the ostriches in the wilderness.] See the note on Job xxxix. 16.
Lamentations 3:3
- Even the sea monsters draw out the breast.] They are not so unnatural as to neglect the care of their young ones: whereas the women of Jerusalem have been reduced to the miserable necessity, not only of the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street.
Lamentations 3:5
- — embrace dunghills.] That is, they lie on them, instead of the scarlet carpets or couches, to which they were bred. Dr. Blayney. They are glad to lodge in those wretched hovels, where the people of the East lay up their dung, &c. for fuel. Parkhurst.
Lamentations 3:6
- — no hands stayed on her.] Sodom was not given up into the hands of a besieging enemy, nor condemned to the lingering destruction of famine. W. Lowth. 7. Her Nazarites! By the word, rendered “Nazarites,” we are in this place probably to understand, not persons, properly so called, who had set themselves apart by a religious vow, but persons of rank and distinction. Dr. Blayney. See the note from Stackhouse on Gen. xlv. 20. — they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire:] Their beauty is here described under several images. Poole.
Lamentations 3:8
- Their visage is blacker than a coal; &c.] Meaning their complexion is spoiled by famine, and other Before CHRIST about 5th. ¶ Or, sea calves. ¶ Or, loiquity. ¶ Gen. 19. 25. ¶ Heb. Carker than blackness.
Lamentations 3:29
- He putteth his mouth in the dust; &c.] He prostrates himself even to the ground before Almighty God, in token of the deepest humiliation of soul: see Ps. cxix. 25; if by that means he may recover the Divine favour. W. Lowth.
Lamentations 3:33
- For he doth not afflict willingly &c.] God never dispenses any event to us, so much with intent to exercise his power over us, as to express his goodness towards us: He never “doth afflict or grieve” us more against our will, than against his own desire; never indeed but when goodness itself calleth for it, and even mercy doth urge thereto. Dr. Isaac Barrow.
Lamentations 3:34
- To crush under his feet &c.] In this and the two next verses certain acts of tyranny, malice, and injustice are specified, which men often indulge themselves in the practice of, one towards another; but which the Divine goodness is far from countenancing or approving by any similar conduct. Dr. Blayney.
Lamentations 3:36
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To subvert a man in his cause.] That is, to prevent his having justice done him in a lawsuit or controversy by any undue interference; as by bearing or suborning false witness; or exerting any kind of influence in opposition to truth and right. Dr. Blayney.
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Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good? Do not calamities come from God’s will and disposal, as well as prosperity? See Isa. xlv. 7; Amos in. 6. W. Lowth.
Lamentations 3:39
- Wherefore doth a living man complain, &c.] If we consider God’s afflictions as a just reward of our evil deeds, this will prevent all murmuring and repining against Providence: especially as long as men are on this side of the grave, they ought to be thankful for having an opportunity given them for repentance. W. Lowth.
Lamentations 3:51
- Mine eye affecteth mine heart] Or, preys upon my heart: my grief wears out my health and strength. W. Lowth.
Lamentations 3:52
- Mine enemies chased me sore, &c.] Here the Prophet begins to celebrate the deliverance he had experienced from former dangers and difficulties; from whence he is led to trust, that the same good Providence will again be his support, and avenge him of his present persecutors. Dr. Blayney.
Lamentations 3:53
- They have cut off my life in the dungeon, &c.] I was not only sequestered from all human society like a dead man; see ver. 6; but in apparent danger of losing my life in the dungeon: see Jer. xxxvii. 20; xxxviii. 9. 10. And their laying a stone upon the entrance of that dark cavern resembled the burying me alive. Compare Dan. vi. 17; Matt. xxvii. 60. W. Lowth.
Lamentations 3:54
- Waters flowed over mine head;] A metaphor taken from a person ready to be drowned, to denote imminent danger and distress. See Ps. lxix. 1, 2; cxxiv. 4, 5. Dr. Blayney.
Lamentations 3:56
- — hide not thine ear at my breathing.] Or, sighing: God’s answering our prayers is commonly ex-
The faithful pray for deliverance. LAMENTATIONS. Zion bewaileth her pitiful estate.
Before CHRIST about 5th.
Lamentations 3:59
- O Lord, thou hast seen my wrong:] Here the Prophet adverts to his present sufferings and ill usage. Dr. Blayney. 63. Behold their sitting down, and their rising up; &c.] In every part of their life (compare Ps. cxxxiv. 2.) I am the object of their scorn and derision. See ver. 14. W. Lowth.
Lamentations 3:64
- Render unto them a recompence.] See the note on Jer. xi. 20. Chap. IV. ver. 1. How is the gold become dim! &c.] How is the glory of the temple obscured! The sanctuary now lies in ruins! And the stones of it are not distinguished from the common rubbish! In like manner the priests and Levites, who attended upon the service of God, and the elders of the people, the members of the great Sanhedrim, who kept their court within the precincts of the temple, (see note on Jer. xxxv. 4.) these persons, that might be resembled to the pillars or corner stones of that sacred building, are now involved in the same common destruction with the meanest of the people. See ver. 16, and chap. ii. 20. W. Lowth.