Lamentations 3:20
What does Lamentations 3:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Lamentations 3:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Lamentations 3:20 means
His soul cannot stop remembering the afflictions; they press continually upon him and bow him down. This humility is not mere dejection; it is the soul being brought low under God’s hand. Remembered pain can either embitter or humble. Here, it humbles, preparing the heart for grace. The verse acknowledges that grief has a long memory, but it also hints that a different memory must now come alongside—the memory of Jehovah’s character. This brokenness becomes fertile soil for hope, because God dwells with the contrite and lifts up those who own their lowliness before Him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is bowed down within me.
KJV
King James Version · 1611My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is bowed down within me.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949My soul still keeps the memory of them; and is bent down in me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Remember well, and bow down doth my soul in me.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Zain. I will be mindful and remember, and my soul shall languish within me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890My soul hath [them] constantly in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
Context
The turning begins with honest remembrance that produces humility, not yet comfort. Verse 21 will introduce a decisive act of recalling truth that transforms despair into hope. This sequence matters: lament, humility, then theological remembrance. The chapter’s center of gravity shifts here, as the sufferer learns to interpret his experience through the lens of who Jehovah is rather than only through the lens of pain.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 42:5
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? Andwhy art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him Forthe help of his countenance.
- Psalms 44:25
For our soul is bowed down to the dust: Our body cleaveth unto the earth.
- Job 21:6
Even when I remember I am troubled, And horror taketh hold on my flesh.
- Psalms 42:11
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, Who isthe help of my countenance, and my God.
- Psalms 43:5
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, Who isthe help of my countenance, and my God.
- Psalms 146:8
Jehovah openeth the eyes of the blind; Jehovah raiseth up them that are bowed down; Jehovah loveth the righteous;
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