Lamentations 3:22–23

Context

Lamentations consists of five poems mourning the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon and the burning of the Temple. Tradition attributes the book to Jeremiah, though no author is named within the text. Chapter 3 is an acrostic (alphabetic poem) of 66 verses, with three verses for each of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In verses 1–20 the poet depicts in anguished terms his own suffering under God's wrath. Then, in verse 21, he says, "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope," and turns to the confession of verses 22–23: "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."

Interpretation

• "Mercies" and "compassions": The first term (hesed) is explained as denoting steadfast love and faithfulness grounded in the covenant, while the second (rachamim), which derives from the same root as the word for a mother's womb, denotes deep compassion.
• Read as hope amid suffering: Interpreters emphasize that this confession comes not after circumstances have improved but from the midst of the ruins. Remembering God's faithfulness becomes the ground of hope in the midst of despair.
• "New every morning": This phrase indicates that God's mercy is given afresh each day, and some read it as grace supplied day by day, like the manna in Exodus.

Questions of Application

The Book of Lamentations as a whole is filled with laments and protests addressed to God. For this reason, some observe that lifting these two verses out of context as a bright word of comfort obscures the character of Lamentations as an honest outpouring of pain. At the same time, a widely accepted interpretation holds that the very presence of lament and hope together in a single song is what gives this text its power.

In the Korean Church

The hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," based on this passage, is frequently sung at New Year's Eve watchnight services, harvest Thanksgiving services, and other services of thanksgiving. The passage is also widely used as a text for meditation during morning devotions and early morning prayer meetings.

Related Passages

• Lamentations 3:19–26
• Psalm 30:5
• Exodus 34:6
• 2 Timothy 2:13