Lamentations 3:32-33

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Lamentations 3:21-36

Here the clouds begin to disperse and the sky to clear up; the complaint was very melancholy in the former part of the chapter, and yet here the tune is altered and the mourners in Zion begin to look a little pleasant. But for hope, the heart would break. To save the heart from being quite broken, here is something called to mind, which gives ground for hope (Lam. 3:21), which refers to what comes after, not to what goes before. I make to return to my heart (so the margin words it); what we... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 3:32

But though he cause grief ,.... As he sometimes does in his own people; by convincing them of sin, and producing in them godly sorrow, which worketh repentance unto life, not to be repented of; by correcting and chastising them for it, and by hiding his face from them; all which are grievous to them: yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies ; his mercies are many, both temporal and spiritual, and his compassion is answerable; which he shows to his people by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 3:33

For he doth not afflict willingly ,.... Or, "from his heart" F5 מלבו "ex corde suo", Pagninus, Montanus, Calvin. ; he does afflict; for all afflictions are from God, but they do not come from the mere motion of his heart, or are the effects of his sovereign will and pleasure, as the good things he bestows upon his people do, without any respect to any cause or occasion in them; but sin is the cause and occasion of these, as Jarchi well observes: it is with reluctance the Lord... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 3:33

For he doth not afflict willingly - It is no pleasure to God to afflict men. He takes no delight in our pain and misery: yet, like a tender and intelligent parent, he uses the rod; not to gratify himself, but to profit and save us. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 3:32

Verse 32 We saw in the last Lecture that the best and the only true remedy for sorrows is, when the faithful are convinced that they are chastised only by the paternal hand of God, and that, the end of all their evils will be blessed. Now this they cannot of themselves assume; but God comes to their aid, and declares that he will not be angry for ever with his children. For this promise extends generally to the whole Church, “For a moment I afflicted thee, in the time of mine indignation, but... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 3:33

Verse 33 This is another confirmation of the same truth, that God takes no delight in the evils or miseries of men. It is indeed a strong mode of speaking which the Prophet adopts, but very suitable. God, we know, puts on, as it were, our form or manner, for he cannot be comprehended in his inconceivable glory by human minds. Hence it is that he transfers to himself what properly can only apply to men. God surely never acts unwillingly nor feignedly: how then is that suitable which Jeremiah... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 3:22-36

RESIGNATION AND HOPEFULNESS . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 3:31-33

Two grounds of comfort: read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 3:31-33

Chastisement only for a season. I. THE FACT THAT CHASTISEMENT IS ONLY FOR A SEASON . God does "cast off" and "cause grief." His love does not nullify his wrath. When grieved and disowned by God the soul feels utterly desolate. But the terrible judgment is only for a season. It will end in reconciliation and compassion. This great truth gives an entirely new complexion to our views of life and providence. We see at times the severe side. But we misjudge if we take that as a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 3:31-33

Divine benignity. It required great faith on the part of Jeremiah and his countrymen to think and to speak thus of God. It was easy for them to believe in the justice and in the power of God; their own affliction witnessed to these attributes. But it was a triumph of faith for those so afflicted to acknowledge the kindness and compassion of the supreme Ruler. I. IT IS NOT INCOMPATIBLE WITH GOD 'S GOODNESS TO AFFLICT MEN . He "causes grief." His providence appoints... read more

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