Lamentations 3:15
What does Lamentations 3:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Lamentations 3:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Lamentations 3:15 means
His life has been saturated with bitterness, likened to wormwood—a plant symbolic of a harsh, acrid taste. He is sated with it, as though made to drink grief until full. The picture suggests a cup of judgment from God’s hand that must be drunk. This conveys that God’s people cannot sweeten what God has made bitter until His purpose is met. The verse is honest about how thorough sorrow can be, yet such frankness also leads to the later confession that God’s mercies can be just as comprehensive, replacing the cup of bitterness with renewed compassion.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath sated me with wormwood.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath sated me with wormwood.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He has made my life nothing but pain, he has given me the bitter root in full measure.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862He hath filled me with bitter things, He hath filled me <FI>with<Fi> wormwood.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He. He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath inebriated me with wormwood.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He hath sated me with bitterness, he hath made me drunk with wormwood.
Context
The lament remains focused on the internal experience: bitterness filling the soul. Verse 16 will turn to physical humiliation—gravel in the mouth and ashes—before verses 17–18 conclude the descent into hopelessness. The clustering of these harsh metaphors ensures the reader takes seriously the depth of affliction, a necessary prerequisite for appreciating the solidity of the hope that breaks in at verse 21.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 25:27
And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: Drink ye, and be drunken, and spew, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you.
- Psalms 60:3
Thou hast showed thy people hard things: Thou hast made us to drink the wine of staggering.
- Jeremiah 9:15
therefore thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.
- Job 9:18
He will not suffer me to take my breath, But filleth me with bitterness.
- Ruth 1:20
And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara; for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
- Isaiah 51:17
Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, that hast drunk at the hand of Jehovah the cup of his wrath; thou hast drunken the bowl of the cup of staggering, and drained it.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Lamentations 3
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Lamentations 3.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Faithfulness
Faithfulness describes a person’s loyal and steadfast devotion to God, and also God’s unchanging, unfailing character.
Topic
Bible Verses About the Faithfulness of God
God’s faithfulness is a cornerstone of our hope, revealing His unwavering character and His commitment to His promises through all generations.
Topic
Bible Verses About the Mercy of God
God’s mercy is a profound aspect of His character, showing His compassionate love and steadfast faithfulness toward humanity
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for Morning Work Anxiety
Start the workday from a steadier place — verses to pray with coffee.
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Anniversary of a Loss
When the calendar remembers — verses for the day you can't forget.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Hopeless
When the future has gone gray — verses that don't lecture, only hold.