Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Lamentations 3:42-54

It is easier to chide ourselves for complaining than to chide ourselves out of it. The prophet had owned that a living man should not complain, as if he checked himself for his complaints in the former part of the chapter; and yet here the clouds return after the rain and the wound bleeds afresh; for great pains must be taken with a troubled spirit to bring it into temper. I. They confess the righteousness of God in afflicting them (Lam. 3:42): We have transgressed and have rebelled. Note, It... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 3:42

We have transgressed, and have rebelled ,.... Here begins the prayer, the sense of which is directed to, though the words are not dictated; and it begins with confession of sin, as prayer should, especially when in such circumstances as the people of the Jews now were; and with confession of it, as a transgression of the law of God; and as rebellion against him, as every sin is, a breach of his law, a contempt of his authority, and a trampling under foot his legislative power, and an act of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 3:43

Thou hast covered with anger ,.... Either himself; not as a tender father, that cannot bear to see the affliction of a child; this does not suit with anger; but rather as one greatly displeased, in whose face anger appears, being covered with it; or who covers his face with it, that he may not be seen, withdrawing his gracious presence; or hast put anger as a wall between thee and us, as Jarchi: so that there was no coming nigh to him: or else it means covering his people with it; so the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 3:42

Verse 42 The faithful do not here expostulate with God, but on the contrary acknowledge that God’s severity was just. That God then had dealt with them severely, they ascribe to their own sins, This is the substance of what is said. We hence learn that an ingenuous confession ever accompanies repentance, as also Paul teaches us, (2 Corinthians 7:11.) For when a sinner is either secure or tries to cover his wickedness, and flatters himself, as we see but a few who willingly humble themselves... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 3:43

Verse 43 At the first view, this complaint may seem to proceed from a bitter heart; for here the faithful complain that they had been slain, and then that God had executed his judgment as it were in darkness, without any indulgence; and the next verse confirms the same thing. But it is a simple acknowledgment of God’s righteous vengeance for in their extreme calamities the faithful could not declare that God dealt mercifully with them, for they had been subjected to extreme rigor, as we have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 3:37-54

EXHORTATION TO REPENTANCE ; RENDERED , LAMENTATION . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 3:40-42

Approaching God in sincerity. I. THE ASCERTAINING OF OUR TRUE STATE . Such is the exhortation of Lamentations 3:40 . The talk of complaining people is generally the hasty outbreak of superficial thought—if, indeed, such loose operations of the mind are worthy to be called thought at all. Searching is above all things needful. Beneath the surface with which we are only too easily contented there are deep possibilities of good and evil. Note the figure here employed. We are in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 3:42

We … thou. The pronouns are expressed in the Hebrew, and are meant to be spoken with emphasis. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 3:43

Thou hast covered with anger . The clause seems imperfect; perhaps "thyself" has fallen out of the text (see next verse). read more

Group of Brands