Lamentations 3:26
What does Lamentations 3:26 mean?
A plain-English look at Lamentations 3:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Lamentations 3:26 means
It is good, he says, to hope and wait in quiet for Jehovah’s salvation. Quietness here is not resignation but settled trust, refusing to murmur or scheme. Salvation refers to God’s deliverance in His time and way. The verse commends a posture that honors God’s sovereignty: hope that looks up, and patience that does not demand control. Such waiting is morally beautiful (“good”) because it aligns the heart with God’s purposes, acknowledging that His timing is wise. This counsel sustains a community under discipline, keeping them from despair on one side and from restless self-reliance on the other.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of Jehovah.
KJV
King James Version · 1611It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of Jehovah.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949It is good to go on hoping and quietly waiting for the salvation of the Lord.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Good! when one doth stay and stand still For the salvation of Jehovah.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Teth. It is good to wait with silence for the salvation of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890It is good that one should both wait, and that in silence, for the salvation of Jehovah.
Context
The instruction continues, moving from waiting and seeking (v. 25) to the manner of waiting—quiet hope. Verse 27 will speak of the goodness of bearing a yoke in youth, and verses 28–30 will unfold what submissive endurance looks like: solitude, silence, humility, and even accepting reproach, all under the conviction that God lays the yoke for good ends.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 130:5
I wait for Jehovah, my soul doth wait, And in his word do I hope.
- Genesis 49:18
I have waited for thy salvation, O Jehovah.
- Psalms 52:9
I will give thee thanks for ever, because thou hast done it; And I will hope in thy name, for it is good, in the presence of thy saints.
- Psalms 119:166
I have hoped for thy salvation, O Jehovah, And have done thy commandments.
- Hebrews 3:14
for we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end:
- Galatians 4:18
But it is good to be zealously sought in a good matter at all times, and not only when I am present with you.
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