Bible Commentary

Lamentations 3:37-41

Matthew Henry on Lamentations 3:37-41

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

While there is life there is hope; and instead of complaining that things are bad, we should encourage ourselves with the hope they will be better. We are sinful men, and what we complain of, is far less than our sins deserve.

We should complain to God, and not of him. We are apt, in times of calamity, to reflect on other people's ways, and blame them; but our duty is to search and try our own ways, that we may turn from evil to God.

Our hearts must go with our prayers. If inward impressions do not answer to outward expressions, we mock God, and deceive ourselves.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Lamentations 3:1-66EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Lamentations 3:34-39These two triads form a transition to the renewed complaints and appeals for help in the following verses. The first triad is probably an amplification of the statement that "the Lord doth not afflict willingly." This b…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Duties of the Afflicted. (b. c. 588.)THE DUTIES OF THE AFFLICTED. (B. C. 588.) That we may be entitled to the comforts administered to the afflicted in the Lamentations 3:21-36, and may taste the sweetness of them, we have here the duties of an afflicted s…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Lamentations 3:37-54EXHORTATION TO REPENTANCE; RENDERED, LAMENTATION. Lamentations 3:37, Lamentations 3:38 True, God does not desire our misfortunes. But equally true is it that they do not happen without his express permission (comp. Isai…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Lamentations 3:37That saith, and it cometh to pass (comp. Psalms 33:9; Genesis 1:3, etc.).Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Lamentations 3:38How evil and good both proceed from God. The Hebrew prophets show no inclination towards Persian dualism. They never attempt to solve the mystery of evil by the doctrine of two principles in nature, a good and an evil p…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Lamentations 3:38The source of evil and of good. This passage may easily be misunderstood. Some have attributed moral evil as well as moral good to the great Ruler of the universe, and by making God the author of sin have introduced con…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Lamentations 3:39Wherefore cloth a living man complain, etc.? The God of whom the poet speaks is the Searcher of hearts. Why, then, should a man complain when he knows that he deserves his punishment? The close of the verse should run,…Joseph S. Exell and contributors