Lamentations 3:42

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 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

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 3:40-51

Confession of sin, followed by sighs and groans. 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Lamentations 3:40-42

The prophet urges men to search out their faults and amend them.Lamentations 3:40And turn again to the Lord - Or, “and return to Yahweh.” The prep. (to) in the Hebrew implies not half way, but the whole.Lamentations 3:41Literally, “Let us lift up our heart unto our hands unto God in heaven;” as if the heart first lifted up the hands, and then with them mounted up in prayer to God. In real prayer the outward expression is caused by the emotion stirring within. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Lamentations 3:42-47

Lamentations 3:42-47. We have transgressed, &c. Here the prophet shows what will be the effect of a proper searching and trying of our ways; we shall be convinced of our sinfulness and guilt: and he here teaches us that confession of sin must accompany petition for the pardon of it. For he that would find mercy must confess as well as forsake his sins, Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9. Thou hast not pardoned That is, as the expression seems here to mean, thou hast not removed the judgments... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Lamentations 3:1-66

Grief, repentance and hope (3:1-66)This poem is different in style from the previous two. The poet speaks as if he is the representative of all Judah, describing Judah’s sufferings as if they were his own. And those sufferings are God’s righteous judgment (3:1-3). He is like a starving man ready to die. Indeed, he feels as if he already dwells in the world of the dead (4-6). He is like a man chained and locked inside a stone prison from which there is no way out (7-9).To the writer God seems... read more

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