Lamentations 3

Lamentations 3:1

Man. Jeremias had a share in the common misery, (Worthington) and bewails his own condition, as a figure of Christ, Psalm lxxxvii. 16., and Isaias liii. 3. (Calmet) — His disciples must expect to suffer. (Haydock)

Lamentations 3:2

Led, or driven me with the rod. (Haydock) — God employs two, Zacharias xi. 7. That of rigour was reserved for this prophet; (chap. xxxviii.) none of them suffered more.

Lamentations 3:4

Old and wrinkled, the effect of misery.

Lamentations 3:5

Gall. Septuagint, “head.” Chaldean, “he hath seized the chief,” Job xvi. 13. He speaks in the name of the besieged, who had been threatened with this punishment, ver. 19., and chap. viii. 14. (Calmet) — And labour. Nabuzardan ransacked the city worse than his master, (Worthington) if the latter was at all present. (Haydock)

Lamentations 3:6

Ever indeed, Ecclesiastes xii. 5., and Psalm xlviii. 12. Jeremias (xxxviii. 6.) was in imminent danger.

Lamentations 3:8

Prayer. God would not allow him to pray for the people, chap. vii. 16.

Lamentations 3:9

Stones. There is no passage, Job xix. 8.

Lamentations 3:10

Places. This may refer to the prophet or to the people.

Lamentations 3:12

Arrows. Such places were common where shooting was practised, 1 Kings xx. 36., and Job xvi. 11.

Lamentations 3:14

Song. True prophets were derided on account of impostors, and because of their declarations were unpleasant, &c., chap. xvii. 15., and Ezechiel xii. 22.

Lamentations 3:15

Wormwood, or a bitter poisonous herb, chap. ix. 26., and Deuteronomy xxix. 18.

Lamentations 3:16

One. Hebrew, “against a stone.” My bread is full of them, Psalm ci. 10. (Calmet) — He describes his afflictions, as if his teeth had been broken. (Worthington)

Lamentations 3:18

End. Hebrew, “strength.” Septuagint, “victory.” (Calmet)

Lamentations 3:21

Hope. The remembrance fills him with grief and hope, chap. xx. 12. (Haydock)

Lamentations 3:22

CHAPTER III.

Lamentations 3:23

New. Novi should be nov'e6, to agree with miserationes. (Calmet) — Chaldean, “new miracles” occur daily. (Haydock) — God’s mercies are ever fresh. (Worthington)

Lamentations 3:27

Yoke. Afflictions endured for justice sake ensure a blessing. (Haydock) — All may derive great benefit from suffering.

Lamentations 3:28

Himself, with perfect resignation.

Lamentations 3:29

Hope. He does not doubt, but confides with great humility.

Lamentations 3:30

Him. We cannot verify this of the prophet as we can of Christ, (Matthew xxvi. 62.; Calmet) to whom this particularly refers. (Worthington)

Lamentations 3:33

Men. He punishes with regret, Ezechiel xviii. 23. Our crimes force him to chastise, ver. 36. (Calmet) — Yet he seeks our advantage. (Worthington)

Lamentations 3:37

Commanded. Hebrew, “said: It cometh to pass,” as if by chance. There have always been Epicureans, Ezechiel viii. 12., and Psalm xciii. 7. (Calmet) — Those who deny Providence speak, ver. 30. (Worthington)

Lamentations 3:39

Sins? If all happened by inevitable necessity, or according to the laws of Providence, why should any one complain?

Lamentations 3:41

Up. This posture “is the testimony of a soul naturally Christian.” (Tertullian, Apol.) — Our heart must accompany our hands, 1 Timothy ii. 8. (Calmet)

Lamentations 3:42

Inexorable. Hebrew and Septuagint, “Thou hast not shewn pity.” (Haydock)

Lamentations 3:43

Covered thyself, as if not to see our distress.

Lamentations 3:44

Cloud. Isaias lix. 2., and Ecclesiasticus xxxv. 21. These expressions are admirable.

Lamentations 3:47

Prophecy. Many would read, vastatio. Hebrew, “ruin.” Septuagint, “taking away.” (Calmet) — Protestants, “Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction.” The prophets were continually in danger. (Haydock) — The preaching of false prophets has brought these evils upon the people. (Worthington)

Lamentations 3:51

Wasted. Literally, “robbed.” (Haydock) — I have felt more for my people than they have themselves. Moral writers often product this text, to shew the dangers of an unguarded glance (Calmet) at women.

Lamentations 3:53

Over me, as if I were buried. (Haydock) — Jeremias was in prison (chap. xxxviii. 6.) when he prayed, ver. 54., and chap. xx. 7. (Calmet)

Lamentations 3:59

Judge what they have judged unjustly. (Worthington)

Lamentations 3:62

Lips; or language (Genesis xi. 1.) thou knowest, ver. 60.

Lamentations 3:63

Up, all their conduct. — Song. Ver. 14.

Lamentations 3:65

Buckler, to cover all the body. They shall be surrounded with misery, (Psalm cviii. 29.) while God will protect his servants, Psalm v. 13. (Calmet) — Let sorrow pierce their heart, as thy enemies are treated. (Worthington)