Lamentations 3:21–23
What does Lamentations 3:21–23 mean?
A plain-English look at Lamentations 3:21–23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Lamentations 3:21–23 means
Lamentations 3:21
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.
Lamentations 3:22
He affirms that only Jehovah’s many lovingkindnesses have kept the people from total annihilation. God’s compassions do not fail, even under judgment. The word speaks of covenant mercy—loyal, steadfast love that persists not because of human worth but because of God’s character. This recognition reframes suffering: though severe, it is not final or absolute. The same God who disciplined has also preserved a remnant. This truth anchors the soul. Hope is not in improved circumstances but in the certainty that God’s merciful heart has not been exhausted, and He will yet show compassion according to His steadfast love.
Lamentations 3:23
Jehovah’s compassions are fresh each day; they do not diminish with use. Every morning brings a renewal of mercy, because God’s faithfulness is great beyond measure. This means that yesterday’s grace is not today’s limit—He is not tired of His people. In the midst of ruin, the sufferer grasps a daily rhythm of hope: dawn itself becomes a sign of God’s continued commitment. Great faithfulness assures that what God has promised He will perform, sustaining His people through discipline toward restoration. This truth steadies hearts to endure, seek Him, and believe that He will finish what He has begun.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000This I recall to my mind; therefore have I hope. It is of Jehovah’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.
KJV
King James Version · 1611This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901This I recall to my mind; therefore have I hope. It is of Jehovah’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949This I keep in mind, and because of this I have hope. It is through the Lord's love that we have not come to destruction, because his mercies have no limit. They are new every morning; great is your good faith.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862This I turn to my heart--therefore I hope. The kindnesses of Jehovah! For we have not been consumed, For not ended have His mercies. New every morning, abundant <FI>is<Fi> thy faithfulness.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Zain. These things I shall think over in my heart, therefore will I hope. Heth. The mercies of the Lord that we are not consumed: because his commiserations have not failed. Heth. They are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890— This I recall to heart, therefore have I hope. It is of Jehovah's loving-kindness we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not; they are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Context
v.21After 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.
v.22This is the content of the hope recalled in verse 21. Verse 23 will expand it: these compassions are renewed every morning and grounded in God’s great faithfulness. Together, these declarations form the theological center of the chapter. From here, the tone shifts from pure lament to trust and instruction about waiting and submission to God’s saving purposes (vv. 24–33).
v.23Continuing the hope of verse 22, this verse emphasizes the constancy and freshness of God’s compassion. Verse 24 will draw a personal conclusion: if such faithfulness is true, then Jehovah Himself is the believer’s portion, and hope should be set in Him. This movement takes the reader from theological assertion to personal appropriation, vital for transforming lament into endurance.
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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