Lam 3:62 | KingComments | STEP | From the darkest night of affliction, Jeremiah called on the name of the LORD ( ). This is what Jonah also does when he is in the darkness of the stomach of the fish ( ). In that great distress and as he cries out to the LORD with an appeal to His Name, he receives the inner assurance that the LORD has heard his voice ( ). But then, let Him not hide His ear from him. Let Him not consider Himself deaf to his sighs and cries for help. During prayer he remembers an earlier occasion when he cried out to the LORD. Then He has been near to him. Then he heard His voice and what He answered: “Do not fear!” ( ). Jeremiah also remembers that the Lord, Adonai , has always helped and vindicated him against the accusers ( ). His accusers are gone and his life is no longer in danger. He owes the redemption of his life to the Lord. The highest Power has vindicated him and redeemed his life. This gives him courage to knock on God’s door to bring him justice now that he has been wronged again. He emphatically addresses Him in as “O Lord”, Adonai , and in as “O LORD”, Yahweh . He makes a penetrating appeal to Him as the sovereign Ruler ( Adonai ) and the faithful God of the covenant ( Yahweh ). The LORD knows that His servant feels wronged, that he has been wronged unjustly. Therefore, he asks Him to judge his case against his enemies ( ). After all, his enemies are out for vengeance and all their schemes are against him ( ). The LORD not only heard his pleading, but also the reproach of the enemies and their schemes against him ( ). He has heard their talking and even their whispering that they have uttered against him all day long ( ). They have no other occupation. Their lives are filled with hatred against him. Let the LORD observe all their movements, for he is their mocking song ( ). This chapter ends with a new assurance. It is more of an assurance than a question to the LORD to recompense the enemies what they deserve ( ). Jeremiah asks this not out of vindictiveness, but from the certainty of the justice of God, Who will not always let His people be prey to the boundless arbitrariness of their enemies. Jeremiah does not take the law into his own hands, but leaves the retribution to the LORD. He does ask, entirely consistent with God’s dealings with such men, that the LORD will close their hearts to His call and seal their judgment so that the curse will come upon them ( ). He adds that the LORD will pursue them in His anger to such an extent that they will be destroyed from under the heavens ( ). He does not ask all this out of a desire for personal satisfaction. He asks that because of what they have done to God’s people, God’s city and God’s temple, and thus ultimately to God Himself. He longs for the glorification of God’s Name.

‏ Lamentations 3:62

Prayer for Deliverance

From the darkest night of affliction, Jeremiah called on the name of the LORD (Lam 3:55). This is what Jonah also does when he is in the darkness of the stomach of the fish (Jona 2:1-10). In that great distress and as he cries out to the LORD with an appeal to His Name, he receives the inner assurance that the LORD has heard his voice (Lam 3:56). But then, let Him not hide His ear from him. Let Him not consider Himself deaf to his sighs and cries for help. During prayer he remembers an earlier occasion when he cried out to the LORD. Then He has been near to him. Then he heard His voice and what He answered: “Do not fear!” (Lam 3:57).

Jeremiah also remembers that the Lord, Adonai, has always helped and vindicated him against the accusers (Lam 3:58). His accusers are gone and his life is no longer in danger. He owes the redemption of his life to the Lord. The highest Power has vindicated him and redeemed his life.

This gives him courage to knock on God’s door to bring him justice now that he has been wronged again. He emphatically addresses Him in Lam 3:58 as “O Lord”, Adonai, and in Lam 3:59 as “O LORD”, Yahweh. He makes a penetrating appeal to Him as the sovereign Ruler (Adonai) and the faithful God of the covenant (Yahweh).

The LORD knows that His servant feels wronged, that he has been wronged unjustly. Therefore, he asks Him to judge his case against his enemies (Lam 3:59). After all, his enemies are out for vengeance and all their schemes are against him (Lam 3:60).

The LORD not only heard his pleading, but also the reproach of the enemies and their schemes against him (Lam 3:61). He has heard their talking and even their whispering that they have uttered against him all day long (Lam 3:62). They have no other occupation. Their lives are filled with hatred against him. Let the LORD observe all their movements, for he is their mocking song (Lam 3:63).

This chapter ends with a new assurance. It is more of an assurance than a question to the LORD to recompense the enemies what they deserve (Lam 3:64). Jeremiah asks this not out of vindictiveness, but from the certainty of the justice of God, Who will not always let His people be prey to the boundless arbitrariness of their enemies. Jeremiah does not take the law into his own hands, but leaves the retribution to the LORD.

He does ask, entirely consistent with God’s dealings with such men, that the LORD will close their hearts to His call and seal their judgment so that the curse will come upon them (Lam 3:65). He adds that the LORD will pursue them in His anger to such an extent that they will be destroyed from under the heavens (Lam 3:66).

He does not ask all this out of a desire for personal satisfaction. He asks that because of what they have done to God’s people, God’s city and God’s temple, and thus ultimately to God Himself. He longs for the glorification of God’s Name.