Lamentations 3

Great Is Your Faithfulness

1 I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath. 2 He has led me and made me walk
In darkness and not in light. 3 Surely He has turned His hand against me
Time and time again throughout the day.

4 He has aged a my flesh and my skin,
And b broken my bones. 5 He has besieged me
And surrounded me with bitterness and 1 woe. 6 c He has set me in dark places
Like the dead of long ago.

7 d He has hedged me in so that I cannot get out;
He has made my chain heavy. 8 Even e when I cry and shout,
He shuts out my prayer. 9 He has blocked my ways with hewn stone;
He has made my paths crooked.

10 f He has been to me a bear lying in wait,
Like a lion in 2 ambush. 11 He has turned aside my ways and g torn me in pieces;
He has made me desolate. 12 He has bent His bow
And h set me up as a target for the arrow.

13 He has caused i the 3 arrows of His quiver
To pierce my 4 loins. 14 I have become the j ridicule of all my people -
k Their taunting song all the day. 15 l He has filled me with bitterness,
He has made me drink wormwood.

16 He has also broken my teeth m with gravel,
And 5 covered me with ashes. 17 You have moved my soul far from peace;
I have forgotten 6 prosperity. 18 n And I said, "My strength and my hope
Have perished from the LORD."

19 Remember my affliction and roaming,
o The wormwood and the 7 gall. 20 My soul still remembers
And 8 sinks within me. 21 This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have p hope.

22 q Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions r fail not. 23 They are new s every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness. 24 "The LORD is my t portion," says my soul,
"Therefore I u hope in Him!"

25 The LORD is good to those who v wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that one should w hope x and wait quietly
For the salvation of the LORD. 27 y It is good for a man to bear
The yoke in his youth.

28 z Let him sit alone and keep silent,
Because God has laid it on him; 29 a Let him put his mouth in the dust -
There may yet be hope. 30 b Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him,
And be full of reproach.

31 c For the Lord will not cast off forever. 32 Though He causes grief,
Yet He will show compassion
According to the multitude of His mercies. 33 For d He does not afflict 9 willingly,
Nor grieve the children of men.

34 To crush under one's feet
All the prisoners of the earth, 35 To turn aside the justice due a man
Before the face of the Most High, 36 Or subvert a man in his cause -
e The Lord does not approve.

37 Who is he f who speaks and it comes to pass,
When the Lord has not commanded it? 38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
That g woe and well-being proceed? 39 h Why should a living man 10 complain,
i A man for the punishment of his sins?

40 Let us search out and examine our ways,
And turn back to the LORD; 41 j Let us lift our hearts and hands
To God in heaven. 42 k We have transgressed and rebelled;
You have not pardoned.

43 You have covered Yourself with anger
And pursued us;
You have slain and not pitied. 44 You have covered Yourself with a cloud,
That prayer should not pass through. 45 You have made us an l offscouring and refuse
In the midst of the peoples.

46 m All our enemies
Have opened their mouths against us. 47 n Fear and a snare have come upon us,
o Desolation and destruction. 48 p My eyes overflow with rivers of water
For the destruction of the daughter of my people.

49 q My eyes flow and do not cease,
Without interruption, 50 Till the LORD from heaven
r Looks down and sees. 51 My eyes bring suffering to my soul
Because of all the daughters of my city.

52 My enemies s without cause
Hunted me down like a bird. 53 They 11 silenced my life t in the pit
And u threw 12 stones at me. 54 v The waters flowed over my head;
w I said, "I am cut off!"

55 x I called on Your name, O LORD,
From the lowest y pit. 56 z You have heard my voice:
"Do not hide Your ear
From my sighing, from my cry for help." 57 You a drew near on the day I called on You,
And said, b "Do not fear!"

58 O Lord, You have c pleaded the case for my soul;
d You have redeemed my life. 59 O LORD, You have seen 13 how I am wronged;
e Judge my case. 60 You have seen all their vengeance,
All their f schemes against me.

61 You have heard their reproach, O LORD,
All their schemes against me, 62 The lips of my enemies
And their whispering against me all the day. 63 Look at their g sitting down and their rising up;
I am their taunting song.

64 h Repay them, O LORD,
According to the work of their hands. 65 Give them 14 a veiled heart;
Your curse be upon them! 66 In Your anger,
Pursue and destroy them
i From under the heavens of the j LORD.

  1. Cross References
    Job 16:8
    You have shriveled me up, And it is a witness against me; My leanness rises up against me And bears witness to my face.
  2. Cross References
    Psalms 51:8
    Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
    Isaiah 38:13
    I have considered until morning - Like a lion, So He breaks all my bones; From day until night You make an end of me.
  3. Cross References
    Psalms 88:5
    Adrift among the dead, Like the slain who lie in the grave, Whom You remember no more, And who are cut off from Your hand.
    Psalms 88:6
    You have laid me in the lowest pit, In darkness, in the depths.
    Psalms 143:3
    For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in darkness, Like those who have long been dead.
  4. Cross References
    Job 3:23
    Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, And whom God has hedged in?
    Job 19:8
    He has fenced up my way, so that I cannot pass; And He has set darkness in my paths.
    Hosea 2:6
    Therefore, behold, I will hedge up your way with thorns, And wall her in, So that she cannot find her paths.
  5. Cross References
    Job 30:20
    I cry out to You, but You do not answer me; I stand up, and You regard me.
    Psalms 22:2
    O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent.
  6. Cross References
    Isaiah 38:13
    I have considered until morning - Like a lion, So He breaks all my bones; From day until night You make an end of me.
  7. Cross References
    Job 16:12
    I was at ease, but He has shattered me; He also has taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces; He has set me up for His target.
    Job 16:13
    His archers surround me. He pierces my heart and does not pity; He pours out my gall on the ground.
    Jeremiah 15:3
    And I will appoint over them four forms of destruction, " says the LORD: "the sword to slay, the dogs to drag, the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.
    Hosea 6:1
    Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.
  8. Cross References
    Job 7:20
    Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men? Why have You set me as Your target, So that I am a burden to myself?
    Job 16:12
    I was at ease, but He has shattered me; He also has taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces; He has set me up for His target.
    Psalms 38:2
    For Your arrows pierce me deeply, And Your hand presses me down.
  9. Cross References
    Job 6:4
    For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; My spirit drinks in their poison; The terrors of God are arrayed against me.
  10. Cross References
    Psalms 22:6
    But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised by the people.
    Psalms 22:7
    All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying.
    Psalms 123:4
    Our soul is exceedingly filled With the scorn of those who are at ease, With the contempt of the proud.
    Jeremiah 20:7
    O LORD, You induced me, and I was persuaded; You are stronger than I, and have prevailed. I am in derision daily; Everyone mocks me.
  11. Cross References
    Job 30:9
    And now I am their taunting song; Yes, I am their byword.
    Psalms 69:12
    Those who sit in the gate speak against me, And I am the song of the drunkards.
    Lamentations 3:63
    Look at their sitting down and their rising up; I am their taunting song.
  12. Cross References
    Jeremiah 9:15
    Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Behold, I will feed them, this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.
  13. Cross References
    Proverbs 20:17
    Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
  14. Cross References
    Psalms 31:22
    For I said in my haste, "I am cut off from before Your eyes"; Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications When I cried out to You.
  15. Cross References
    Jeremiah 9:15
    Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Behold, I will feed them, this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.
    Lamentations 3:5
    He has besieged me And surrounded me with bitterness and woe.
    Lamentations 3:15
    He has filled me with bitterness, He has made me drink wormwood.
  16. Cross References
    Psalms 130:7
    O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is mercy, And with Him is abundant redemption.
  17. Cross References
    Malachi 3:6
    For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.
  18. Cross References
    Psalms 78:38
    But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, And did not destroy them. Yes, many a time He turned His anger away, And did not stir up all His wrath.
    Jeremiah 3:12
    Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say: 'Return, backsliding Israel,' says the LORD; 'I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful,' says the LORD; 'I will not remain angry forever.
    Jeremiah 30:11
    For I am with you,' says the LORD, 'to save you; Though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, Yet I will not make a complete end of you. But I will correct you in justice, And will not let you go altogether unpunished.
  19. Cross References
    Isaiah 33:2
    O LORD, be gracious to us; We have waited for You. Be their arm every morning, Our salvation also in the time of trouble.
    Zephaniah 3:5
    The LORD is righteous in her midst, He will do no unrighteousness. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He never fails, But the unjust knows no shame.
  20. Cross References
    Psalms 16:5
    O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot.
    Psalms 73:26
    My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
    Psalms 119:57
    You are my portion, O LORD; I have said that I would keep Your words.
    Jeremiah 10:16
    The Portion of Jacob is not like them, For He is the Maker of all things, And Israel is the tribe of His inheritance; The LORD of hosts is His name.
  21. Cross References
    Jeremiah 17:17
    Do not be a terror to me; You are my hope in the day of doom.
    Micah 7:7
    Therefore I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me.
  22. Cross References
    Psalms 130:6
    My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning - Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.
    Isaiah 30:18
    Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.
  23. Cross References
    Romans 4:16 - 18
    Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all
  24. Cross References
    Exodus 14:13
    And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.
    Psalms 37:7
    Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
    Isaiah 7:4
    And say to him: 'Take heed, and be quiet; do not fear or be fainthearted for these two stubs of smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria, and the son of Remaliah.
  25. Cross References
    Psalms 94:12
    Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD, And teach out of Your law.
  26. Cross References
    Jeremiah 15:17
    I did not sit in the assembly of the mockers, Nor did I rejoice; I sat alone because of Your hand, For You have filled me with indignation.
  27. Cross References
    Job 42:6
    Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.
  28. Cross References
    Job 16:10
    They gape at me with their mouth, They strike m...
    Isaiah 50:6
    I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My c...
    Matthew 5:39
    But I tell you not to resist an evil person. Bu...
    Matthew 26:67
    Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and ot...
    Mark 14:65
    Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfol...
    Luke 22:63
    Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat ...
  29. Cross References
    Psalms 77:7
    Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more?
    Psalms 94:14
    For the LORD will not cast off His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance.
    Isaiah 54:7 - 10
    For a mere moment I have forsaken you, But with great mercies I will gather you.
  30. Cross References
    Psalms 119:67
    Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I...
    Psalms 119:71
    It is good for me that I have been afflicted, T...
    Psalms 119:75
    I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right, ...
    Isaiah 28:21
    For the LORD will rise up as at Mount Perazim, ...
    Ezekiel 33:11
    "Say to them: ' As I live,' says the Lord GOD, ...
    Hebrews 12:10
    For they indeed for a few days chastened us as ...
  31. Cross References
    Jeremiah 22:3
    Thus says the LORD: "Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.
    Habakkuk 1:13
    You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, And cannot look on wickedness. Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, And hold Your tongue when the wicked devours A person more righteous than he?
  32. Cross References
    Psalms 33:9 - 11
    For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.
  33. Cross References
    Job 2:10
    But he said to her, "You speak as one of the fo...
    Isaiah 45:7
    I form the light and create darkness, I make pe...
    Jeremiah 32:42
    For thus says the LORD: 'Just as I have brought...
    Amos 3:6
    If a trumpet is blown in a city, will not the p...
    James 3:10
    Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and curs...
    James 3:11
    Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter...
  34. Cross References
    Proverbs 19:3
    The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the LORD.
  35. Cross References
    Jeremiah 30:15
    Why do you cry about your affliction? Your sorrow is incurable. Because of the multitude of your iniquities, Because your sins have increased, I have done these things to you.
    Micah 7:9
    I will bear the indignation of the LORD, Because I have sinned against Him, Until He pleads my case And executes justice for me. He will bring me forth to the light; I will see His righteousness.
    Hebrews 12:5
    And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him.
    Hebrews 12:6
    For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.
  36. Cross References
    Psalms 86:4
    Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
  37. Cross References
    Nehemiah 9:26
    Nevertheless they were disobedient And rebelled against You, Cast Your law behind their backs And killed Your prophets, who testified against them To turn them to Yourself; And they worked great provocations.
    Jeremiah 14:20
    We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness And the iniquity of our fathers, For we have sinned against You.
    Daniel 9:5
    We have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments.
  38. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 4:13
    Being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.
  39. Cross References
    Job 30:9
    And now I am their taunting song; Yes, I am their byword.
    Job 30:10
    They abhor me, they keep far from me; They do not hesitate to spit in my face.
    Psalms 22:6 - 8
    But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised by the people.
    Lamentations 2:16
    All your enemies have opened their mouth against you; They hiss and gnash their teeth. They say, "We have swallowed her up! Surely this is the day we have waited for; We have found it, we have seen it! #8221.
  40. Cross References
    Isaiah 24:17
    Fear and the pit and the snare Are upon you, O inhabitant of the earth.
    Isaiah 24:18
    And it shall be That he who flees from the noise of the fear Shall fall into the pit, And he who comes up from the midst of the pit Shall be caught in the snare; For the windows from on high are open, And the foundations of the earth are shaken.
    Jeremiah 48:43
    Fear and the pit and the snare shall be upon you, O inhabitant of Moab," says the LORD.
    Jeremiah 48:44
    He who flees from the fear shall fall into the pit, And he who gets out of the pit shall be caught in the snare. For upon Moab, upon it I will bring The year of their punishment," says the LORD.
  41. Cross References
    Isaiah 51:19
    These two things have come to you; Who will be sorry for you? - Desolation and destruction, famine and sword - By whom will I comfort you?
  42. Cross References
    Jeremiah 4:19
    O my soul, my soul! I am pained in my very heart! My heart makes a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, Because you have heard, O my soul, The sound of the trumpet, The alarm of war.
    Jeremiah 14:17
    Therefore you shall say this word to them: 'Let my eyes flow with tears night and day, And let them not cease; For the virgin daughter of my people Has been broken with a mighty stroke, with a very severe blow.
    Lamentations 2:11
    My eyes fail with tears, My heart is troubled; My bile is poured on the ground Because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, Because the children and the infants Faint in the streets of the city.
  43. Cross References
    Psalms 77:2
    In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; My soul refused to be comforted.
    Jeremiah 14:17
    Therefore you shall say this word to them: 'Let my eyes flow with tears night and day, And let them not cease; For the virgin daughter of my people Has been broken with a mighty stroke, with a very severe blow.
  44. Cross References
    Psalms 80:14
    Return, we beseech You, O God of hosts; Look down from heaven and see, And visit this vine
    Isaiah 63:15
    Look down from heaven, And see from Your habitation, holy and glorious. Where are Your zeal and Your strength, The yearning of Your heart and Your mercies toward me? Are they restrained?
    Lamentations 5:1
    Remember, O LORD, what has come upon us; Look, and behold our reproach!
  45. Cross References
    Psalms 35:7
    For without cause they have hidden their net for me in a pit, Which they have dug without cause for my life.
    Psalms 35:19
    Let them not rejoice over me who are wrongfully my enemies; Nor let them wink with the eye who hate me without a cause.
  46. Cross References
    Jeremiah 37:16
    When Jeremiah entered the dungeon and the cells, and Jeremiah had remained there many days.
  47. Cross References
    Daniel 6:17
    Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.
  48. Cross References
    Psalms 69:2
    I sink in deep mire, Where there is no standing; I have come into deep waters, Where the floods overflow me.
    Jonah 2:3 - 5
    For You cast me into the deep, Into the heart of the seas, And the floods surrounded me; All Your billows and Your waves passed over me.
  49. Cross References
    Isaiah 38:10
    I said, "In the prime of my life I shall go to the gates of Sheol; I am deprived of the remainder of my years.
  50. Cross References
    Psalms 130:1
    Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD.
    Jonah 2:2
    And he said: "I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction, And He answered me. "Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice.
  51. Cross References
    Jeremiah 38:6 - 13
    So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the king's son, which was in the court of the prison, and they let Jeremiah down with ropes. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire. So Jeremiah sank in the mire.
  52. Cross References
    Psalms 3:4
    I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
  53. Cross References
    James 4:8
    Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
  54. Cross References
    Isaiah 41:10
    Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
    Isaiah 41:14
    Fear not, you worm Jacob, You men of Israel! I will help you," says the LORD And your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
    Daniel 10:12
    Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.
  55. Cross References
    Psalms 35:1
    Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me; Fight against those who fight against me.
    Jeremiah 51:36
    Therefore thus says the LORD: "Behold, I will plead your case and take vengeance for you. I will dry up her sea and make her springs dry.
  56. Cross References
    Psalms 71:23
    My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You, And my soul, which You have redeemed.
  57. Cross References
    Psalms 9:4
    For You have maintained my right and my cause; You sat on the throne judging in righteousness.
  58. Cross References
    Jeremiah 11:19
    But I was like a docile lamb brought to the slaughter; and I did not know that they had devised schemes against me, saying, "Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more.
  59. Cross References
    Psalms 139:2
    You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.
  60. Cross References
    Psalms 28:4
    Give them according to their deeds, And according to the wickedness of their endeavors; Give them according to the work of their hands; Render to them what they deserve.
    Jeremiah 11:20
    But, O LORD of hosts, You who judge righteously, Testing the mind and the heart, Let me see Your vengeance on them, For to You I have revealed my cause.
    2 Timothy 4:14
    Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works.
  61. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 25:19
    Therefore it shall be, when the LORD your God has given you rest from your enemies all around, in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance, that you will blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. You shall not forget.
    Jeremiah 10:11
    Thus you shall say to them: "The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens.
  62. Cross References
    Psalms 8:3
    When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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