Lamentations 3:38

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Lamentations 3:37-41

That we may be entitled to the comforts administered to the afflicted in the Lam. 3:21-36, and may taste the sweetness of them, we have here the duties of an afflicted state prescribed to us, in the performance of which we may expect those comforts. I. We must see and acknowledge the hand of God in all the calamities that befal us at any time, whether personal or public, Lam. 3:37, 38. This is here laid down as a great truth, which will help to quiet our spirits under our afflictions and to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 3:38

Out of the mouth of the most High proceed not evil and good? Certainly they do; they come to pass, both one and the other, as God has pronounced, and his will determined; even "evils", as it is in the plural number; not the evil of sin, or of fault; this comes not out of the mouth of God, but is forbidden and condemned by him; much less is he the author of it, or tempter to it; indeed it is not without his knowledge, nor in some sense without his will; not with his will of approbation, but... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 3:38

Verse 38 The Prophet says that from the mouth of the most High proceed good and evil By “mouth” he means his decree. God indeed does not always declare that he is a judge; he has often executed punishment on the wicked, as it were, in silence; for there were no prophets among the heathens to proclaim the judgments he brought on them. But though God does not always speak when he punishes the wickedness of men, it is yet said that good and evil proceed from his mouth; because he allots to men... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 3:34-39

These two triads form a transition to the renewed complaints and appeals for help in the following verses. The first triad is probably an amplification of the statement that "the Lord doth not afflict willingly." This being the ease, the injustice which darkens human life cannot be approved by him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 3:37-38

True, God does not desire our misfortunes. But equally true is it that they do not happen without his express permission (comp. Isaiah 45:7 ; Amos 3:6 ). 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 3:38

How evil and good both proceed from God. The Hebrew prophets show no inclination towards Persian dualism. They never attempt to solve the mystery of evil by the doctrine of two principles in nature, a good and an evil principle, in any respect coordinate one with another. On the contrary, they emphasize the monism of their creed by ascribing sole supremacy and originating power to "the Eternal." Nevertheless, they do not teach that moral evil is caused by God. This they regard as springing... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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