Lamentations 3:21
What does Lamentations 3:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Lamentations 3:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Lamentations 3:21 means
Here the hinge swings: he chooses to bring to mind a truth that changes everything. Though suffering remains, he says, “This I recall,” and hope returns. The verse shows that hope can be an act of spiritual memory—calling to mind God’s revealed character and past dealings. This is not denial of grief, but reorientation within it. By remembering what does not change when all else changes, the soul finds footing. The next lines will name that unchanging reality: Jehovah’s loyal love, unfailing compassions, and great faithfulness, which together secure a future even when present strength is gone.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000This I recall to my mind; therefore have I hope.
KJV
King James Version · 1611This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901This I recall to my mind; therefore have I hope.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949This I keep in mind, and because of this I have hope.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862This I turn to my heart--therefore I hope.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Zain. These things I shall think over in my heart, therefore will I hope.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890— This I recall to heart, therefore have I hope.
Context
After humility under the weight of remembered pain, the speaker now pivots to a deliberate remembrance that brings hope. Verses 22–24 will articulate the content of that hope: God’s lovingkindnesses, compassions, faithfulness, and sufficiency as portion. This moment divides the chapter thematically—despair gives way to confident declarations about God, which will then lead to counsel about waiting, submission, and repentance.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 130:7
O Israel, hope in Jehovah; For with Jehovah there is lovingkindness, And with him is plenteous redemption.
- Psalms 77:7
Will the Lord cast off for ever? And will he be favorable no more?
- Lamentations 3:24
Jehovah is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
- Psalms 119:81
My soul fainteth for thy salvation; ButI hope in thy word.
- Habakkuk 2:3
For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hasteth toward the end, and shall not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay.
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