Lamentations 3:37-38 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 3:38

The source of evil and of good. This passage may easily be misunderstood. Some have attributed moral evil as well as moral good to the great Ruler of the universe, and by making God the author of sin have introduced confusion into the moral realm. The presence of sin in the world is by the permission of the Most High; but, whilst we cannot understand the reasons for this permission, we are not at liberty to represent him as sanctioning evil. The good and evil of this passage are natural,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Lamentations 3:37-39

Why then does a loving God, who disapproves of suffering when inflicted by man upon man, Himself send sorrow and misery? “Because of sins.”Lamentations 3:37Literally, “Who is this that spake and it was done, though אדני 'ădonāy commanded it not?”Lamentations 3:39So long as God spares a man’s life, why does he complain? The chastisement is really for his good; only let him use it aright, and he will be thankful for it in the end.A man for the punishment of his sins - Translate: Let “each man... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Lamentations 3:37-38

Lamentations 3:37-38. Who is he that saith That commands an event to take place, or predicts that it shall take place, and it cometh to pass accordingly, when the Lord commandeth not? Or who designs a thing, and brings his designs to effect, when the Lord is against him? “Haughty tyrants may boast of their power as if they were equal to Omnipotence itself; but still it is God’s prerogative to bring to pass whatever he pleases, without any let or impediment, only by speaking, or... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Lamentations 3:1-66

Grief, repentance and hope (3:1-66)This poem is different in style from the previous two. The poet speaks as if he is the representative of all Judah, describing Judah’s sufferings as if they were his own. And those sufferings are God’s righteous judgment (3:1-3). He is like a starving man ready to die. Indeed, he feels as if he already dwells in the world of the dead (4-6). He is like a man chained and locked inside a stone prison from which there is no way out (7-9).To the writer God seems... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Lamentations 3:37

Lamentations 3:37. Who is he that saith— "The king of Babylon, and such haughty tyrants, may boast of their power, as if it were equal to that of Omnipotence itself. But still it is God's prerogative to bring to pass whatever he pleases, only by speaking or declaring his purpose." read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Lamentations 3:37

37-39. Who is it that can (as God, Psalms 33:9) effect by a word anything, without the will of God? read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Lamentations 3:38

38. evil . . . good—Calamity and prosperity alike proceed from God (Job 2:10; Isaiah 45:7; Amos 3:6). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Lamentations 3:19-40

B. Jeremiah’s hope 3:19-40 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Lamentations 3:37-38

The plans of those who anticipate a particular future only come to fruition if the sovereign Lord ordains them. The Most High is the ultimate source of all good and bad things. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 3:1-66

Zion’s Hope in God’s MercyThis third poem is the most elaborate in structure and the most sublime in thought of all. The poet speaks not only for himself, but for the nation. The order of thought is sorrow, confession, repentance, prayer. Though consisting of 66 vv. the poem is but a little longer than the others. Three consecutive vv. are built upon each letter of the Heb. alphabet: each triplet is usually closely associated in thought, and consequently grouped together as in the RV.1-18. Zion... read more