14 I became the laughingstock of all my people; they mock me in song all day long.
14 I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day.
14 I have become the laughingstock of all peoples, the object of their taunts all day long.
14 Everyone took me for a joke, made me the butt of their mocking ballads.
14 I have become the ridicule of all my people-- Their taunting song all the day.
14 My own people laugh at me. All day long they sing their mocking songs.
12 Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards.
12 They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.
12 I am the talk of those who sit in the gate, and the drunkards make songs about me.
12 Now drunks and gluttons Make up drinking songs about me.
12 Those who sit in the gate speak against me, And I am the song of the drunkards.
12 I am the favorite topic of town gossip, and all the drunks sing about me.
(Read Psalm 69:1-12)
We should frequently consider the person of the Sufferer here spoken of, and ask why, as well as what he suffered, that, meditating thereon, we may be more humbled for sin, and more convinced of our danger, so that we may feel more gratitude and love, constraining us to live to His glory who died for our salvation. Hence we learn, when in affliction, to commit the keeping of our souls to God, that we may not be soured with discontent, or sink into despair. David was hated wrongfully, but the words far more fully apply to Christ. In a world where unrighteousness reigns so much, we must not wonder if we meet with those that are our enemies wrongfully. Let us take care that we never do wrong; then if we receive wrong, we may the better bear it. By the satisfaction Christ made to God for our sin by his blood, he restored that which he took not away, he paid our debt, suffered for our offences. Even when we can plead Not guilty, as to men's unjust accusations, yet before God we must acknowledge ourselves to deserve all that is brought upon us. All our sins take rise from our foolishness. They are all done in God's sight. David complains of the unkindness of friends and relations. This was fulfilled in Christ, whose brethren did not believe on him, and who was forsaken by his disciples. Christ made satisfaction for us, not only by putting off the honours due to God, but by submitting to the greatest dishonours that could be done to any man. We need not be discouraged if our zeal for the truths, precepts, and worship of God, should provoke some, and cause others to mock our godly sorrow and deadness to the world.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Lamentations 3:14
Commentary on Lamentations 3:1-20
(Read Lamentations 3:1-20)
The prophet relates the more gloomy and discouraging part of his experience, and how he found support and relief. In the time of his trial the Lord had become terrible to him. It was an affliction that was misery itself; for sin makes the cup of affliction a bitter cup. The struggle between unbelief and faith is often very severe. But the weakest believer is wrong, if he thinks that his strength and hope are perished from the Lord.