Lamentations 3:1-55 ▼

1 [ALEPH-BET] I [am] the man [who] has seen affliction || By the rod of His wrath.

2 He has led me, and causes to go [in] darkness, and without light.

3 Surely against me He turns back, || He turns His hand all the day.

4 He has worn out my flesh and my skin. He has broken my bones.

5 He has built up against me, || And sets around poverty and weariness.

6 In dark places He has caused me to dwell, || As the dead of old.

7 He has hedged me in, and I do not go out, || He has made heavy my chain.

8 Also when I call and cry out, || He has shut out my prayer.

9 He has hedged my ways with hewn work, || My paths He has made crooked.

10 A bear lying in wait He [is] to me, || A lion in secret hiding places.

11 My ways He is turning aside, and He pulls me in pieces, || He has made me a desolation.

12 He has bent His bow, || And sets me up as a mark for an arrow.

13 He has caused to enter into my reins || The sons of His quiver.

14 I have been a derision to all my people, || Their song all the day.

15 He has filled me with bitter things, || He has filled me [with] wormwood.

16 And He breaks with gravel my teeth, || He has covered me with ashes.

17 And You cast off my soul from peace, || I have forgotten prosperity.

18 And I say, My strength and my hope have perished from YHWH.

19 Remember my affliction and my mourning, || Wormwood and gall!

20 Remember well, and my soul bows down in me.

21 This I turn to my heart—therefore I hope.

22 The kindnesses of YHWH! For we have not been consumed, || For His mercies have not ended.

23 New every morning, abundant [is] Your faithfulness.

24 My portion [is] YHWH, my soul has said, || Therefore I hope for Him.

25 YHWH [is] good to those waiting for Him, || To the soul [that] seeks Him.

26 [It is] good when one stays and stands still || For the salvation of YHWH.

27 [It is] good for a man that he bears a yoke in his youth.

28 He sits alone, and is silent, || For He has laid [it] on him.

29 He puts his mouth in the dust, if so be, there is hope.

30 He gives to his striker the cheek, || He is filled with reproach.

31 For the Lord does not cast off for all time.

32 For though He afflicted, yet He has pitied, || According to the abundance of His kindness.

33 For He has not afflicted with His heart, || Nor does He grieve the sons of men.

34 To bruise under one’s feet any bound ones of earth,

35 To turn aside the judgment of a man, || Before the face of the Most High,

36 To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord has not approved.

37 Who [is] this—he has spoken, and it is, || [And] the Lord has not commanded [it]?

38 From the mouth of the Most High does not go forth the evils and the good.

39 Why does a living man sigh habitually, || A man for his sin?

40 We search our ways, and investigate, || And turn back to YHWH.

41 We lift up our heart on the hands to God in the heavens.

42 We have transgressed and been rebellious, || You have not forgiven.

43 You have covered Yourself with anger, || And pursue us; You have slain—You have not pitied.

44 You have covered Yourself with a cloud, || So that prayer does not pass through.

45 Outcast and refuse You make us || In the midst of the peoples.

46 Opened against us their mouth have all our enemies.

47 Fear and a snare has been for us, || Desolation and destruction.

48 Streams of water go down my eye, || For the destruction of the daughter of my people.

49 My eye is poured out, || And does not cease without intermission,

50 Until YHWH looks and sees from the heavens,

51 My eye affects my soul, || Because of all the daughters of my city.

52 Hunting—my enemies have hunted me without cause like the bird.

53 They have cut off my life in a pit, || And they cast a stone against me.

54 Waters have flowed over my head, I have said, I have been cut off.

55 I called Your Name, O YHWH, from the lower pit.