Lamentations 3

The Prophet proceedeth in lamenting the miserable estate of the people of the Jews, V.I. & c. and the scoffing of the enemies, 14. Then he comforteth himself with the consideration of Gods mercy, justice, and providence, 21, & c, he stirreth up himself and all men to repentance, patience, and prayer unto God, 40. with a repetition of their miseries, 3, & c. and comfort of Gods gracious hearing, 55, & c. being confident that god would take vengeance on their enemies, 64, & c.

1. ALEPH, [In this chapter are constantly three verses one after another that begin with one and the same letter. See above chapter I. on vers. I.] I am the man, [The Prophet speaketh here not onely of himself under the name of a man, but of the whole Church, which maketh but one body] (that) have seen misery by the road of his indignation, [to wit, the Lords indignation. Compare Isaiah 10:5.]

2. ALEPH. He hath led me, and carried (me into) darkness, [That is, into great afflictions and troubles. See Genes. 15. On vers. 12. So the word light in the sequel, signifieth great prosperity. See Psal. 27. On vers. I.] and not (into) light.

3. ALEPH. He hath indeed turned himself against me, he hath changed [Or turned] his hand [that is, plague, punishment. See Psal. 32.4.] against me all the day. [The meaning is, he before defended and protected me. In brief, he demeaneth himself quite otherwise towards me then he was wont to do. See Psal.7.7. the Annotat. on vers.11.]

4. BETH. He hath made my flesh and my skin old, [That is, the tokens of his heavy hand against me for my sins, appear herein, that my flesh decayeth, and my skin is wrinkled] he hath broken my bones. [that is, he hath taken away all my strength. [Se also above chapter I. 13. and Psal. 6.3, 4. and 32. 3. and 51. 19. and 141 . 7. Isaiah 38:13.]

5. BETH. He hath builded against me, [That is, he hath beset and inclosed me around about, as it were with bulwarks of afflictions, so that I am not able to escape or resist his hand. See Job 10. on vers. 17.] and he hath compassed (me with) gall and trouble. [Gall, by reason of its bitterness, signifieth great miseries and afflictions that do befall men. So vers. 19. and Jerem. 8.14. and 9.15. and 23.15. See Psal. 69. on vers. 22.]

6. BETH. He hath set me in dark places. [That is, he hath brought me into great troubles. See ver.2. and Ezekiel 37:13. Others understand this of the prison wherein Jeremiah had been shut up. Othes understand it of the graves] as they that are dead long ago. [Heb. as the dead of eternity; that is, as those that are dead long ago, and are now quite forgotten. Compare Psal. 88. 5, 6, 7. and Psal. 143.3. and the Annotat, there.]

7. GIMEL. He hath waled me in [See Job 19. on vers. 8. See also above vers.5.] that I cannot go out: he hath made my copper fetters heavy. [Or, my steel fetters, c. Others, my iron fetters. That is, he hath made my afflictions, that do compass me abot from time to time, greater and greater.

8. GIMEL. Also when I call and cry, he shutteth (the ears against) my prayer. [Or, he shutteth out my prayer; that is he accepteth not my prayers; at least I feel no ease at all. Compare Psal. 22. 1. and 77.8, & c.

9. GIMEL. He hath walled up my wayes with hewn stones, [Or, carved stones. See I Chron. 22. on vers.2. See also Isa.9. on vers.9. and Job 19:8. Hosea 2:6. and Numb.22.24. That is, he hath stopped up all wayes of escape by unavoidable, lets and hinderances] he hath perverted my paths. [That is, he hath frustrated all my designes, which I had intended for my deliverance. It is to the same sense with vers.5. and 7.]

10. DALETH. He is unto me a lurking bear, [Or, he lurked upon me as a bear, &c. compare Job chap.10.16. Isaiah 38:13. Hos.5.14. and 13.8. Amos 5:19.] a lion in hidden places. [A lion barking in his den. And lying in wait for men or beasts that pass b, yo catch and devour them. See thi similitude also Hos.5.14. and 13.7.]

11. DALETH. He hath turned aside my waies: [That is, he hath turned my actions to a clean contrary end then I intend them] and he hath broken in pieces; [as a sheep that falleth into the pawes of lions or of bears. That is, he hath rent and confounded both the Ecclesiastical and Political estate. Others, when my waies are rebellious (or, declining) then he breaketh, or teareth, me in pieces] he hath made me desolate. [That is, he hath deprived me of my friends, goods, estate, and all helpful means, so that I have nothing at all left.]

12. DALETH. He hath bent [Heb. troden. See Psal.7.13. and above chap.2.4.] his bowe, [that is, he hath prepared his weapons against me, to deal severely with me. Here and elsewhere in Scripture material weapons are ascribed unto God. See Judg.7.10. Job 16:12. Psal. 21.13. Habak. 3.9,11. Isa.27.1. and 34. 5,6.] and he hath set me as a biit for the arrow. [See Job 16:12. and compare Job 7:20. See also Psal. 64.4.]

13. HE. He hath caused his arrows [Heb, the sons, or children of his quiver. See Job 6. on vers. 4. Therefore are the arrows so called, because they are lockt up in the quiver. In Psal. 127.5. children are also compared unto arrows] to enter into my reins. [That is, he hath caused the arrows of his plagues to enter into the innermost parts of my body and foul. See Job 16. on vers. 13. and 19. on vers. 27.] Psal. 139. on vers. 13.

14. HE. I am become a derision to all my people,] To wit, to all those that were my friends and acquaintance: especially to those that are fallen away, by reason of these sore afflictions which thou Lord hast sent among us] their musick play [that is, a matter of derision and scorn Heb. sluping, beating. The meaning is, they make songs of me, and take pleasure therein to upbraid and abuse me daily in their songs. See Job 17:6. and 30. on vers.9. and Psal.69.13. and below here vers.63. Compare Deut.28.37.] all the day.

15. HE. He hath satisfied me with bitternesses. [Or, with great bitterness, or, with very bitter meat; that is, with great anguish, affliction, and sorrow. See above vers.5. and below vers.19.] he hath made me drunken with wormwood. [He, to wit, the Lotd, hath, by the multitude of griefs and sorrows, bereaved me of my senses and understanding.]

16. VAU. He hath broken my teeth to shivers with gravel-stone, [That is’ he hath given me such bread to eat, as was full of gravel-stones, which hath broken my teeth in pieces. See, Prov.20.17.] he hath crushed me down in the ashes. [That is, he hath brought me to the lowest and most contemptible state and condition.]

17. VAU. And thou hast thrust away my soul far off from peace, [That is, all prosperity and joy hast thou, O Lord, removed far off from me] I have forgotten the thing that is good. [As if he should say, I have lived now so long in misery, that I have forgotten what prosperity and pleasure is: I cannot remember good dayes any more.]

18. VAU. Then I said, my strength [To wit, to be able to bear this affliction longer] is perished, and my hope from the LORD, [to wit, that I should ever be delivered from it, as I hoped from the Lord.]

19. ZAIN. Remember [Others, remembering; or when I remembered] my misery, and my banishment, [Compare above chap.1.7.] the wormwood and the gall, [that is, the bitterness that was in it. See vers.5. and 15.]

20. ZAIN. My soul remembereth them very well, [Heb, remembering my soul remembereth them; that is, she doth most earnestly ponder and consider the miseries that have befallen me by reason of my sins] and she boweth herself down in me. [She is thereby humbled and made meek.]

21. ZAIN. This will I lay to mine heart, therefore will I hope. [As if he should say, when I well consider these things, (to wit, those which shall be straight-way related) I will conclude from thence, that God will yet at last be gracious unto me.]

22. CHETH. They are the LORDS loving kindnesses [It is to be ascribed to the overflowing grace of God] that we are not destroyed, [See Isa.1.9. Heb.3.13.] that has mercies have no end, [that is, that he still at this present manifesteth his grace and mercy toward us.]

23. CHETH. They are new every morning, [See Psal.73. on vers.14. the meaning is, we are daily sensible of new evidences of thy loving kindnesses towards us] thy faithfulness is great. [O Lord, thy faithfulness is great in performing thy promises.]

24. CHETH. The LORD is my pertion, [The Lord is he that sustaineth me both in body and soul, being every way sufficient for me, Genes.17.1. Psal.16.5. and 73.26. Jerem.10.16.] saith my soul, [that is, I am thereof sufficient perswaded in mine heart. See Rom.8.32. and Psal.16. the Annotat. on vers.5. and Psal.8.3. and 73.25,26.] therefore will I hope in him. [Compare habak.2.3.]

25. TETH. The LORD is good unto them that want on him, [That is, that strongly rely on him, and trust in him with a true and lively faith] to the soul that seeketh him. [That is, to the man that endeavoureth with all his heart to draw near unto God by means which he himself hath ordained for to come to the knowledge of him.]

26. TETH. It is good for a man to hope, and to be quiet for the salvation of the LORD. [That is, upon the deliverance which the Lord sheweth to them that put their trust in him. He is happy that hath set his hope strongly upon the Lord, and in quietness looketh for deliverance from the Lord. See Psal.37. on vers.7. See also Isa.30.7. Others, it is good when a mana suffereth pain to be still, & c.]

27. TETH. It is good for a man [That is, for everyone. Others understand here by man an excellent man] that he bear the yoke [that is, that he suffer affliction and adversity, and submit himself unto discipline, that his wicked and corrupt nature may be bridled and tamed. Compare Psal.119.71.] in his youth. [Before sin be deeply rooted in his heart and bear full over him.]

28. JOD. Let him [To wit, he that hath learnt to bear the yoke in his yoke in his youth] sit solitary, [others, he shall, & c. Or, (that) he may sit] and keep silence, because he [to wit, the Lord] hath laid it upon him. [Let him quietly take up the cross, his solitariness, without making a great noise, remembering that the Lord hath laid it upon him for his good. See Psal.39.10.]

29. JOD. Let him put his mouth in the dust, [That is, let him in a most humble and submissive manner cast himself down to the ground before the face of God, acknowledging that he in justice layeth all this affliction upon him. Compare I Cor.14.25. and Job chap.42.6. Psal.22.16. and 30. The contrary see Psal.73. vers.8,9.] (saying) it may be there is expectation. [As is he should say, though I see no issue, all means failing me, and the hand of God being so heavy upon me, yet at last let me taste of his grace and mercy. The word it maybe doth not always signifie doubting or uncertainty, but also comforting, or encouraging in weighty matters: as Jos.14.12. See the Annotat. Joel 2. on vers.14.]

30. JOD. Let him give his cheek to him that smitteth him, [That is let him patiently receive the blows and stripes that men give him undeservedly, or without just and lawful cause] let him be satisfied with reproch. [See Job chap.7. on vers.4. It signifieth here to bear all kind of scorn patiently.]

31. CAPH. For the Lord will not cast off forever. [The meaning is, though God seem sometimes for a while to withdraw his loving kindness from his children, yet it shall not last always. See I Cor.10.13. See the like sayings, Psal.30.6. and 73.24. and 126.5,6. and 130.7. and 135.14. Jsa.27.6,7,8. and 54.7,8. Jerem. 10.24. and 30.11. and 46.28. Habak.3.2. 2 Cor.4.17. I Pet.1.6.]

32. CAPH. But when he causeth grief, he will then have compassion according to the greatness of his loving kindeness. [Or according to the multitude of his loving kindness. That is, his loving kindness is without end.]

33. CAPH. For he doth nat plague, nor grieve the children of men [See Job 12. on vers.10.] from the heart. [Heb. from his heart. [That is, he taketh no delight in it: but the sins of men are the cause of it. Compare Isa.28. on vers.21. And when he correcteth his children, he doth it to draw them off from sinning.]

34. LAMED. That a man should crush under his feet all the pprisoners of the earth. [That is, trample upon them. See examples hereof, Jos.10.24. and compare Job 5:4. Psal. 143.3. and 44.20. The meaning is, though God often useth tyrants as his rods to correct his children, yet he hath no delight in it, that men should put to shame all them that by force and violence are cast into prison, without respect of persons and actions. See Psal.109.16. Zach.1.15. Luke 6:36.]

35. LAMED. That one should wrest the right of a man [That is, delay, put off his cause, either by false witnesses, or other undue means. See an example Luke 18:4. and compare Exod.23.6.7. Deut.10. 16,19.2 Chron.19.6,7.] before the face of the most High.

36. LAMED. That one should wrong a man in his cause: [Or, law-bitterness, suit: whether by violence, authority, or subtility. Heb. pervert] would not the Lord [who is just. See Psal.11.7. and compare Psal.94.5,6. & c.] see it? [would not the Lord regard it?]

37. MEM. Who saith any thing that cometh to pass, (if) the Lord command (it) not? [What creature in heaven or on earth can certainly say, such a thing shall come to pass, unless the Lord be pleased to do it? The wise providence of God reacheth to all things that are done either in heaven or on earth.]

38. MEM. Doth not evil and good [Heb, evils. The meaning is. All adversity and prosperity that befalleth a man. See Amos 3:6.] proceed out of the mouth of the most High? [that is, decree, or command of God. See Genes.41. on vers.40. The meaning is, Is it not God, that in his eternal counsel decreeth, ordereth, and effecteth all things? Compare Isaiah 45:7. Amos 3:6.]

39. MEM. Why (then) doth a living man complain? (let) every one (complain) because of his sins. [to wit, whereby he hath brought the punishing hand of God upon himself, and let him pray that he may be freed and delivered from it. The meaning is, In as- much as a man is sufficiently convinced in himself wherefore it is that God doth punish him, to wit, for his sins, why then doth he vex himself, and complain, instead of seeking for remedy? why doth he more look upon his affliction then upon the causes thereof?]

40. NUN. Let us search and examine our wayes, [That is, our thoughts, words, and works, remembering what the fame have duly deserved, according to the balance of Gods righteous judgement] and let us turn again to the LORD. [Heb, properly, let us turn again even unto the Lord. That is, let us have true hearty sorrow and repentance for our manifold sins, and pray for pardon of them, with a sure confidence of obtaining it, and with a firm resolution of amending our lives for time to come. Compare Hos.14.2. Joel 2. on vers.12. and 2 Cor.7.9.]

41. NUN. Let us lift up our heart together with (our) hands, unto God in heaven, [Who alone can and will pardon the sins of penitent sinners. Others, unto the clouds. See Job 36. the Annotat. on vers. 32.] (saying,)

42. NUN. We have transgressed, and we have been rebellious, (therefore) thou hast not spared. [Understand with all, but thou hast sorely chastised us; to wit, as long as we preserved in our sins and transgressions.]

43. SAMECH. Thou hast covered (us with) anger, [Properly according to the Hebrew letter, thou hast covered us over with anger as with a tent; thou hast over-tented or, over-hatted us. See Psal.5. ver. 12.] thou hast persecuted us; [to wit, with thy righteous judgements in all places wheresoever we went] thou hast slain (us) thou hast not pured. [thou hast had no compassion on us, nor on our little children. See above chap.2.2,17.]

44. SAMECH. Thou hast covered thy self with a cloud, [As with a partition-wall. Compare Isa.59.1,2.] So that no prayer passed through it. [So that our prayer could not come before thy face.]

45. SAMECH. Thou hast made us a sweeping away [Or, an off-scowring] and refuse [That is, such filth or uncleanness as men use to scour off; that is, as people lothed and abhorred. Compare I Cor.4.13.] in the midst of the nations. [Over whom we bare rule I former time.]

46. PE. All our enemies have opened their mouth against us [They have boldly belched out all that they could imagine might any wayes tend to our disgrace. See above chap.2.16. and compare Psal.22.14.]

47. PE. The fear and the pit are come upon us, [Compare Psal.11.6. and Isa.24.17. Jerem.48.43. The meaning is, we are in a miserable condition, in great fear and distress, and we see no issue] desolation and breaking. [to wit, are come upon us].

48. PE. Mine eye runneth down (with) water-brooks, [That is, there cometh such plenty of tears out of mine eyes, as if they were quite dissolved into water. Compare chap.1.16. of water-brooks see Psal.1. on ver.3.] because of the breach of the daughter of my people. [that is, of my people whom I love a dearly as mine own daughter: as chap.1.6. see also chap.2.11,13.]

49. AIN. Mine eye floweth [To wit, with tears. Others, becometh flowing] and cannot cease, because there is no rest. [the great misery of the daughter of my people ceaseth not.]

50. AIN. Till the LORD [So doth the Apostle Paul also call the Lord Christ, I Cor.15.47.] behold (it) from heaven, [that is, till the LORD do make it appear indeed, that he is favourable to us. See above ver.8. also ver.43,44. and chap.2.1.] and see (it) [to wit, my misery.]

51. AIN. Mine eye [that is, the miseries which I behold with mine eyes] bringeth (trouble) to my soul, [or worketh in my soul; that is, moveth my soul, or paineth my soul, consumeth my soul] because of all the daughters of my city, [namely, which are defloured and carried away captive by the enemies. See below chap.5.11. Others, above all the daughters of my city. [that is, more then any women-kind are wont to be troubled about that which they most affect.]

52. TSADE. They that are mine enemies without cause [That is, whom I never wronged or sought to wrong: or who cannot look to take advantage by it. See Psal.35. on ver.7. and 69.5. and 109.3. and 119.161.] have chased me sorely [to wit, to bring me utterly to destruction. Heb. chasing have chased me] like a little bird. [that is, as a fowler seeketh to catch birds. Compare Psal.11.1. and 102.8. and 124.7. Eccles.9.12.]

53. TSADE. They [To wit, the enemies, whereof is spoken ver.52.] have cut off my life [that is, me in min own person] in a pit, [the meaning is, they have not onely taken me captive (which was truly done to the Prophet Jeremia, Jerem.37.16. and chap.38.6.) but have also used great cruelty, endeavouring to take away my life. Compare Genes.37.24.] and they have cast a stone [either to shut the mouth of the grave, that I might not come forth, or to smother and kill me] upon me. [that is, upon the grave whereon I lie, at the door of the pit wherein they have shut me up. Compare Jos.10.18. Dan.6.18. Matt.27.10.]

54. TSADE. The waters sworn over mine head, [Understand here by the waters, many & great afflictions, See Psal.69. on ver.2,3. and Psal.124. ver.4,5. The Prophet speaketh here in the person of Gods people, yet so as that he sometimes (as a member of Gods people) setteth forth his own sufferings that befell him, and the mercy that God had shewn him, being an example and comfort unto the people of God] I said, [I imagined and spake] I am cut off. [I am utterly undone. I see no means of deliverance, but rather the contrary. Compare Psal.31.23. with the Annotat.]

55. KOPH. LORD, I have called upon thy name out of the lowermost pit: [Heb, out of the pit of lownesses; that is, when I was in the uttermost affliction. See Psal.88. on ver.7. and 120.1.]

56. KOPH. Thou hast heard my voice: [That is, thou hat granted my request [hide not thine ear at my sighing, at my crying. [refuse not henceforth, I pray thee, to give heed to my fervent and hearty prayer.

57. KOPH. Thou drewest near in the day when I called upon thee: thou sadist, fear not. [That is, didst cause me to taste of thy gracious help, which thou didst so plainly manifest unto me. As if thou hadst said unto me in express terms, Fear not, Isa.41.10.]

58. RESH. Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul, [That is, thou hast protected and delivered me, when they sought to kill me. Compare Jerem. chap.38. See also Psal.35. on ver. 1.] thou hast delivered my life. [that is, thou hast delivered me out of the hands of those that sought cruelly to slay me.]

59. RESH. LORD, thou hast seen the perversness that was done unto me, [Heb, my perverseness; that is, that which was practiced against me. See Jerem. chap .2. on ver.2.] judge my cause, [that is, mind my cause, and judge me according to mine integrity, help me to my right. Compare Psal43.ver1.]

60. RESH. Thou hast seen all their [To wit, mine enemies] vengeance, [that is, how revengeful, yea also how blood-thirsty they are against me] all their thoughts against me.

61. SCHIN. LORD, thou hast heard their reproach. [That is, their spiteful and reproachful words which they have uttered against me] (and) all their thoughts against me.

62. SCHIN. The lips of those that rise up against me, [The words of mine enemies, wherewith they threaten me] their device [that is, the thoughts of their wicked heart] against me all the day. Understand withal, thou hast heard]

63. SCHIN. Behold their sitting and rising up, [See Psal.1. on ver. 1. and Psal.139. on ver.2. and compare Isa.37.28] I am their musick-play, [See above Annotations on verse 14. and Job 30. on verse 9.]

64. THAU. LORD, render unto them, [Whose song and play I am, as in the former verse] that recompence according to the work of their hands. [See Psa.28.4. and 94.2.]

65. THAU. Give them a covering of heart [That is, such giddiness and mist of heart, as may deprive them of all courage and valour, so as they may not be able to do us any harm.] let hty curse be upon them.

66. THAU. Persecute them with wrath, and destroy them from under the heaven of the LORD. [That is, every where as far as the heaven reacheth, as Exod.17.14. and Deut.17.24. and 25.19. and 29.20. 2 Kings 14:27.]