21 —This I recall to heart, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of Jehovah's loving-kindness we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not; 23 they are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24 Jehovah is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 25 Jehovah is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul [that] seeketh him. 26 It is good that one should both wait, and that in silence, for the salvation of Jehovah. 27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth: 28 He sitteth solitary and keepeth silence, because he hath laid it upon him; 29 he putteth his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope; 30 he giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him; he is filled full with reproach. 31 For the Lord will not cast off for ever; 32 but if he have caused grief, he will have compassion according to the multitude of his loving-kindnesses: 33 for he doth not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men. 34 To crush under foot all the prisoners of the earth, 35 to turn aside the right of a man before the face of the Most High, 36 to wrong a man in his cause,—will not the Lord see it?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Lamentations 3:21-36
Commentary on Lamentations 3:21-36
(Read Lamentations 3:21-36)
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.