Lamentations 3:14
What does Lamentations 3:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Lamentations 3:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Lamentations 3:14 means
He is mocked by his own people and made into a song of derision. Social scorn deepens the pain: it is not only enemies who sneer, but those who should care. This reflects how, in national collapse, blame and ridicule circulate even among the afflicted. The verse reveals a further dimension of judgment: shame in the eyes of others. It also prepares for the comfort that true hope cannot rest on human approval. When God’s servant is laughed at, he learns to seek his portion in Jehovah alone, which the chapter will later affirm with quiet resolve.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I am become a derision to all my people, and their song all the day.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I am become a derision to all my people, and their song all the day.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I have become the sport of all the peoples; I am their song all the day.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862I have been a derision to all my people, Their song all the day.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He. I am made a derision to all my people, their song all the day long.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I am become a derision to all my people; their song all the day.
Context
After inward piercing, the focus turns outward to community response—ridicule and derision. Verses 15–16 will add the taste of bitterness and the image of teeth broken on gravel, indicating the humiliation and harshness of life under judgment. This social humiliation contributes to the comprehensive despair building through verse 18, making the turn to hope in verse 21 all the more pivotal and surprising.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 20:7
O Jehovah, thou hast persuaded me, and I was persuaded; thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am become a laughing-stock all the day, every one mocketh me.
- 1 Corinthians 4:9
For, I think, God hath set forth us the apostles last of all, as men doomed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, both to angels and men.
- Psalms 35:15
But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: The abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; They did tear me, and ceased not:
- Psalms 123:3
Have mercy upon us, O Jehovah, have mercy upon us; For we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
- Psalms 22:6
But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised of the people.
- Jeremiah 48:27
For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for as often as thou speakest of him, thou waggest the head.
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