Lamentations 3

Lamentations 3:1

I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.

I, Jeremiah, am the man, that have seen this great affliction, which the Lord hath, in just anger, brought upon his people.

Lamentations 3:2

He hath led me and brought me into darkness, but not into light.

He hath brought me into the gloomy darkness of affliction, and hath given me no glimpse of comfort.

Lamentations 3:4

My flesh and my skin hath he made old.

He hath worn out my body with sorrow.

Lamentations 3:5

He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.

He hath besieged me with evils, and compassed me about with misery and grief.

Lamentations 3:6

He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old.

He hath shut me up under discomfort and heaviness; and laid me aside in the dungeon, as a dead man out of sight.

Lamentations 3:9

He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stones, he hath made my paths crooked.

He hath laid in my way unremovable impediments, and hath crossed me in my designs. So also verse 11.

Lamentations 3:16

He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.

He hath beaten me down with such force, as that my teeth are broken; and my mouth, being dashed against the ground, is full of gravel with the fall.

Lamentations 3:21

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

I recall to my mind these following meditations, and thereupon I receive hope and comfort.

Lamentations 3:27

It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.

It is good for a man to be exercised early with afflictions, and to acquaint himself with God’s chastisements.

Lamentations 3:28

He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.

Such a one will sit silently alone; and patiently bear that hand of God, which is upon him;

Lamentations 3:29

He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.

And humbles himself under that good hand to the very dust, if there may be hope, by his true humiliation and fervent prayers, to obtain favour from God.

Lamentations 3:30

He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.

In the mean time, he meekly yields over himself to the oppressing hand of a persecutor, and patiently bears his reproach.

Lamentations 3:34

To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth.

For, however the wicked impatience of men may suggest, it is not the manner of God to crush under his feet those, that are already humbled;

Lamentations 3:35

To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the Most High.

VOL. III. Or, to shift off the trial of any man’s cause, that he should not have a full hearing of his plea, before his great and righteous tribunal. So verse 36.

Lamentations 3:37

Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?

Who is he, that will undertake to effect any thing without the Lord; or will say, that ought can be done, which he willeth not?

Lamentations 3:38

Out of the mouth of the Most High proceedeth not evil and good.

It is only good and just, which can proceed from the mouth of God: there is no unrighteousness in his decrees and proceedings.

Lamentations 3:39

Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?

Why then doth any living man complain of God’s hand? Why doth he murmur, when he suffers the due punishment for his sins?

Lamentations 3:63

I am their music.

I am the matter of their mirth and songs.