Lamentations 3:1-24 - I am the man who has experienced affliction

Send to friendPrinter-friendly version

א (Alef)

3:1 I am the man who has experienced affliction from the rod of his wrath.

3:2 He drove me into captivity and made me walk in darkness and not light.

3:3 He repeatedly attacks me, he turns his hand against me all day long.

ב (Bet)

3:4 He has made my mortal skin waste away; he has broken my bones.

3:5 He has besieged and surrounded me with bitter hardship.

3:6 He has made me reside in deepest darkness like those who died long ago.

ג (Gimel)

3:7 He has walled me in so that I cannot get out; he has weighted me down with heavy prison chains.

3:8 Also, when I cry out desperately for help, he has shut out my prayer.

3:9 He has blocked every road I take with a wall of hewn stones; he has made every path impassable.

ד (Dalet)

3:10 To me he is like a bear lying in ambush, like a hidden lion stalking its prey.

3:11 He has obstructed my paths and torn me to pieces; he has made me desolate.

3:12 He drew his bow and made me the target for his arrow.

ה (He)

3:13 He shot his arrows into my heart.

3:14 I have become the laughingstock of all people, their mocking song all day long.

3:15 He has given me my fill of bitter herbs and made me drunk with bitterness.

ו (Vav)

3:16 He ground my teeth in gravel; he trampled me in the dust.

3:17 I am deprived of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is.

3:18 So I said, “My endurance has expired; I have lost all hope of deliverance from the Lord.”

ז (Zayin)

3:19 Remember my impoverished and homeless condition, which is a bitter poison.

3:20 I continually think about this, and I am depressed.

3:21 But this I call to mind; therefore I have hope:

ח (Khet)

3:22 The Lord’s loyal kindness never ceases; his compassions never end.

3:23 They are fresh every morning; your faithfulness is abundant!

3:24 “My portion is the Lord,” I have said to myself, so I will put my hope in him.