Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Lamentations
Book: Lamentations
Chapter: 3
Overview:
The
Faithful lament their calamities, and
Hope in
God's
mercies.
1-20 The
Prophet relates the more gloomy and discouraging part
of his experience, and how he found support and relief. In the
time of his trial the
Lord had become terrible to him. It was an
affliction that was misery itself; for
Sin makes the
Cup of
affliction a
Bitter Cup. The struggle between unbelief and
Faith
is often very severe. But the weakest believer is wrong, if he
thinks that his strength and
Hope are perished from the
Lord.
21-36 Having stated his distress and
Temptation, the
Prophet
shows how he was raised above it. Bad as things are, it is owing
to the
Mercy of
God that they are not worse. We should observe
what makes for us, as
Well as what is against us.
God's
compassions fail not; of this we have fresh instances every
morning. Portions
On Earth are perishing things, but
God is a
portion for ever. It is our duty, and will be our comfort and
satisfaction, to
Hope and quietly to wait for the
Salvation of
the
Lord.
Afflictions do and will work very much for good: many
have found it good to
Bear this
Yoke in their youth; it has made
many humble and serious, and has weaned them from the world, who
otherwise would have been proud and unruly. If
Tribulation work
patience, that patience will work experience, and that
experience a
Hope that makes not ashamed. Due thoughts of the
evil of
Sin, and of our own sinfulness, will convince us that it
is of the
Lord's mercies we are not consumed. If we cannot say
with unwavering voice, The
Lord is my portion; may we not say, I
desire to have Him for my portion and
Salvation, and in his
Word
do I
Hope? Happy shall we be, if we learn to receive affliction
as laid upon us
By the
Hand of
God.
37-41 While there is
Life there is
Hope; and instead of
complaining that things are bad, we should encourage ourselves
with the
Hope they will be better. We are sinful men, and what
we complain of, is far less than our sins deserve. We should
complain to
God, and not of him. We are apt, in times of
calamity, to reflect
On other people's ways, and blame them; but
our duty is to search and try our own ways, that we may turn
from evil to
God. Our hearts must go with our prayers. If inward
impressions do not answer to outward expressions, we mock
God,
and deceive ourselves.
42-54 The more the
Prophet looked
On the desolations, the more
he was grieved. Here is one
Word of comfort. While they
continued weeping, they continued waiting; and neither did nor
would expect relief and succour from any but the
Lord.
55-66 Faith comes off conqueror, for in these verses the
Prophet concludes with some comfort.
Prayer is the breath of the
new
Man, drawing in the
Air of
Mercy in petitions, and returning
it in praises; it proves and maintains the spiritual
Life. He
silenced their fears, and quieted their spirits. Thou saidst,
Fear not. This was the language of
God's
Grace,
By the
Witness
of his
Spirit with their spirits. And what are all our sorrows,
compared with those of the
Redeemer? He will deliver his people
from every trouble, and revive his
Church from every
Persecution. He will save believers with
Everlasting Salvation,
while his enemies perish with
Everlasting Destruction.