65. sorrow—rather, blindness or hardness; literally, "a veil" covering their heart, so that they may rush on to their own ruin (Isaiah 6:10; 2 Corinthians 3:14; 2 Corinthians 3:15). read more
66. from under . . . heavens of . . . Lord—destroy them so that it may be seen everywhere under heaven that thou sittest above as Judge of the world. read more
C. Jeremiah’s prayer 3:41-66The following section of the lament falls into two parts, marked by Jeremiah’s use of the plural (Lamentations 3:41-47) and singular personal pronouns (Lamentations 3:48-66). In the first part, he called on the Judahites to confess their sins to God. In the second part, he recalled God’s past deliverance in answer to prayer, which motivated him to ask God to judge his enemies. In both sections, the prophet modeled proper behavior for his people. read more
2. A recollection of past deliverance 3:48-66 read more
Jeremiah believed that the Lord would pay his enemies back as they deserved (cf. Psalms 28:4; 2 Corinthians 3:17). He would harden their hearts and so bring judgment on them. read more
The Lord would pursue them anywhere they might go and destroy them in His anger. The Lord did this to Jeremiah’s enemies when the city fell to the Babylonians (cf. Jeremiah 39:4-7; Jeremiah 52:7-11; Jeremiah 52:24-27). read more
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
(64) Render unto them . . .—The words are noticeable as being taken from Psalms 28:4, and reproduced by St. Paul in 2 Timothy 4:14. read more
(65) Sorrow of heart—Literally, covering, with a sense like that of the “veil upon the heart” of 2 Corinthians 3:15, and so signifying the blindness of obstinacy. The imperatives in both Lamentations 3:65-66 are better rendered as futures—Thou shalt give; Thou shalt persecute. read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Lamentations 3:64
64-66. (Jeremiah 11:20; 2 Timothy 4:14). read more