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Matthew Henry

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 3:30

He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him ,.... Either to God that afflicts him, and patiently bears it; see Isaiah 9:13 ; or rather to men. To be smitten on the cheek is always reckoned a very great affront; to turn the cheek to an injurious man is to give him an opportunity and leave to smite, and signifies the taking of it patiently, and agrees both with our Lord's advice and example, Matthew 5:39 ; he is filled full with reproach ; has many reproaches, and the reproaches of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 3:30

He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth - He has that love that is not provoked. He is not quarrelsome, nor apt to resent injuries; he suffers long and is kind. Or, it may be rendered, "let him give his cheek." He is filled full with reproach - Though all this take place, yet let his "trust be in God, who will not cast off for ever." God will take his part, and bring him safely through all hardships. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 3:30

Verse 30 Here he mentions another fruit of patience, that the faithful, even when injuries are done to them by the wicked, would yet be calm and resigned. For there are many who submit to God when they perceive his hand; as, for instance, when any one is afflicted with a disease, he knows that it is a chastisement that proceeds from God; when pestilence happens, or famine, from the inclemency of the weather, the hand of God appears to them; and many then conduct themselves in a suitable manner:... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 3:28-30

He sitteth alone, etc.; rather, Let him sit alone … let him keep silence ( Lamentations 3:28 )… let him put ( Lamentations 3:29 )… let him give … let him be filled ( Lamentations 3:30 ). The connection is—since it is good for a man to be afflicted, let him sit still, when trouble is sent, and resign himself to bear it. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 3:30

He giveth his cheek. Notice the striking affinity (which is hardly accidental) to Job 16:10 ; Isaiah 1:6 . The ideal of the righteous man, according to these kindred books, contains, as one of its most prominent features, the patient endurance of affliction; and so too does the same ideal, received and amplified by the greatest "Servant of Jehovah" ( Matthew 5:39 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 3:30

The cheek to the smiter. Probably these verses should be translated by imperatives. The prophet, profiting by his own experience and by that of his country. men, admonishes all to meekness and submission. In resistance is neither peace nor deliverance; in patient subjection and waiting is true wisdom, for such is the way to contentment and to final salvation. I. SUCH MEEKNESS IS CONTRARY TO NATURAL INCLINATION , AND IS INDICATIVE OF A CHASTENED SPIRIT . He who... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Lamentations 3:28-30

Translate:Let him sit alone and keep silence;For He (God) hath laid the yoke upon him.Let him place his mouth in the dust;Perchance there is hope.Let him offer his cheek to him that smiteth him;Let him be filled to the full with reproach.It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth, but only if he bear it rightly. To attain this result, let him learn resignation, remembering who has laid the yoke upon him. This reverential silence is described Lamentations 3:29, as putting the mouth in... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Lamentations 3:27-30

Lamentations 3:27-30. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth That he be inured betimes to bear those useful restraints which may give him a right sense of the duty which he owes to God, and the obedience he ought to pay to his laws. For the prophet’s expression is very applicable to the yoke of God’s commands; it is good for us to take that yoke upon us in our youth; we cannot begin too soon to be religious; it will make our duty the more acceptable to God, and easy to... read more

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