Lamentations 3:24

What does Lamentations 3:24 mean?

A plain-English look at Lamentations 3:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Lamentations 3:24 means

He declares that Jehovah is his portion—his true inheritance and sufficiency. In losing land, city, and peace, he has learned that God Himself remains. To say, “therefore will I hope in him,” is to shift trust from earthly securities to the unchanging God. Portion language recalls the allotment given to Israel; here, even with visible inheritances lost, the believer claims the better portion that cannot be taken. This is the heart of faith in calamity: satisfaction in Jehovah, which becomes the ground for waiting, seeking, and bearing discipline with quiet confidence.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Jehovah is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Jehovah is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I said to myself, The Lord is my heritage; and because of this I will have hope in him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

My portion <FI>is<Fi> Jehovah, hath my soul said, Therefore I hope for Him.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Heth. The Lord is my portion, said my soul: therefore will I wait for him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Jehovah is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Context

Having affirmed God’s faithful mercies, the sufferer now owns that truth personally. Verses 25–27 will draw out practical implications: Jehovah is good to those who wait and seek; it is good to hope quietly for His salvation; and it is good to bear the yoke in youth. This section moves from declaration to counsel, teaching how to live under God’s faithful hand.

v.23They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.

v.24This passage

v.25Jehovah is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 16:5

    Jehovah is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot.

  • 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.

  • Romans 15:12

    And again, Isaiah saith, There shall be the root of Jesse, And he that ariseth to rule over the Gentiles; On him shall the Gentiles hope.

  • Psalms 33:18

    Behold, the eye of Jehovah is upon them that fear him, Upon them that hope in his lovingkindness;

  • Psalms 31:24

    Be strong, and let your heart take courage, All ye that hope in Jehovah.

  • Psalms 84:12

    O Jehovah of hosts, Blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Related questions readers ask