Lamentations 3:22-26
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” 25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
Lamentations 3:22-26 Meaning
Lamentations 3:22-26 remind us of the unwavering love and faithfulness of God. These verses assure us that His mercies are fresh every day, and He is always ready to extend grace and compassion towards us. We are encouraged to find our hope and portion in God alone, recognizing His goodness towards those who patiently seek Him. Waiting quietly for God’s salvation is declared as a virtue.
Lamentations 3:22-26 Commentary and Explanation
In times of hardship and difficulty, it can be easy to lose sight of God’s love and faithfulness. The book of Lamentations was written by the prophet Jeremiah, who witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and experienced deep sorrow. However, even in the midst of his grief, Jeremiah found comfort in the unchanging character of God.
The steadfast love of the Lord described in Lamentations 3:22 is a powerful statement of God’s eternal and unending love. It is a love that remains constant, regardless of our circumstances or failures. God’s love is not conditional but is rooted in His nature and cannot be diminished or exhausted. This truth brings reassurance and comfort, reminding us that God’s love for us never ceases.
As the verse continues, Jeremiah acknowledges that God’s mercies are new every morning. This emphasizes the abundant grace and compassion that God extends towards us daily. Each day brings a fresh opportunity to experience God’s mercy and receive forgiveness for our sins. It is a reminder that no matter how we may have failed the previous day, God is always ready to pour out His mercies and give us a fresh start.
The declaration of God’s faithfulness in verse 23 further strengthens our trust in Him. Great is His faithfulness because He remains true to His promises, steadfast in His love, and unwavering in His character. We can fully rely on God because He never changes or wavers in His commitment to His people.
In verse 24, Jeremiah states that the Lord is his portion. This means that God is his source of fulfillment, satisfaction, and provision. By declaring these words, Jeremiah affirms that he finds his ultimate contentment and security in God alone. This challenges us to examine where we seek our portion and fulfillment. When we put our hope in worldly things, we may experience disappointment and emptiness. However, when we make God our portion, we can find lasting joy and peace.
Verse 25 emphasizes the goodness of the Lord towards those who wait for Him and seek Him. Waiting on the Lord involves patient trust and reliance on His perfect timing and plans. It is an active and intentional posture of the heart, where we eagerly seek God and His will. When we wait for God with a seeking heart, we can experience His goodness, guidance, and blessings in our lives.
Finally, verse 26 encourages us to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Waiting quietly implies a surrender of our own efforts and a humble acknowledgment of our need for God’s intervention. It involves placing our trust in God’s salvation rather than relying on our own abilities or solutions. When we wait quietly and trust in God’s salvation, we position ourselves to experience His deliverance and redemption in our lives.
Also Read: Isaiah 14:27 Meaning and Commentary
Context of Lamentations 3:22-26
The book of Lamentations was written by the prophet Jeremiah in response to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. It is a lament over the devastation and suffering experienced by the people of Judah. In the midst of this despair, Jeremiah turns his focus to the faithfulness of God and finds hope and comfort in His unchanging love and mercies.
The verses in Lamentations 3:22-26 occur within a section known as the “Great Lament.” Jeremiah expresses his grief and anguish, yet he chooses to shift his focus towards God’s faithfulness and goodness. It is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments, we can find solace in the unchanging nature of God and His enduring love for His people.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Lamentations 3:22-26
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases: God’s love for us is unwavering and permanent. It is not dependent on our actions or circumstances.
His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning: God’s mercies are fresh and abundant each day. We can experience His forgiveness and grace anew every morning.
Great is your faithfulness: God remains faithful to His promises and His people. We can trust in His faithfulness, even in times of difficulty and uncertainty.
The Lord is my portion: God is our ultimate source of fulfillment and satisfaction. In Him, we find all that we need.
Therefore I will hope in him: We can place our hope and trust in God, knowing that He is faithful and will fulfill His promises.
The Lord is good to those who wait for him: God’s goodness is experienced by those who patiently wait on Him and seek His will.
To the soul who seeks him: God rewards those who earnestly seek Him with His goodness, guidance, and blessings.
It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord: Waiting quietly and trusting in God’s salvation brings about His deliverance and redemption in our lives.
Bible Study on Lamentations 3:22-26
To dive deeper into the meaning of Lamentations 3:22-26, we can explore related Bible passages that align with its themes and messages. Here are a few suggested passages for further study:
Psalm 136:1-9: This psalm highlights the steadfast love and enduring mercy of God.
Psalm 23:1-6: This psalm emphasizes God as our shepherd and provider, highlighting His goodness and faithfulness.
Isaiah 40:31: This verse encourages us to wait on the Lord, promising renewed strength and endurance.
Matthew 5:6: Jesus teaches that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled.
Biblical Translations of Lamentations 3:22-26
Lamentations 3:22-26 King James Version (KJV)
“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:22-26 English Standard Version (ESV)
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:22-26 New Living Translation (NLT)
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’ The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:22-26 The Message (MSG)
“God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left. God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God.”
Lamentations 3:22-26 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
“The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I have hope in Him.’ The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:22-26 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
“Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! I say, ‘The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.’ The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the person who seeks him. It is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.”
Final Thoughts
Lamentations 3:22-26 offers us hope and encouragement in times of distress. It reminds us of the unceasing love, faithfulness, and mercy of God. No matter what circumstances we face, we can find comfort in knowing that God’s love for us is unwavering and His mercies are fresh every morning.
By making God our portion and placing our hope in Him, we can experience His goodness, guidance, and blessings. As we patiently wait on the Lord and seek Him with a humble heart, He will manifest His salvation in our lives. Let us hold onto these truths and trust in the faithfulness of our loving Creator.