Devine Scripture

Lamentations 3:32

What does Lamentations 3:32 mean?

A plain-English look at Lamentations 3:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Lamentations 3:32 means

Though Jehovah brings grief, He also brings compassion in great measure. Discipline and mercy are not equal; mercy overflows. The verse affirms both God’s sovereignty over painful providence and His abundant lovingkindnesses that move Him to restore. This guards against two errors: thinking suffering is outside God’s control, or thinking God’s heart is to hurt. His grief-causing is purposeful; His compassion is plentiful. For the contrite, this means that sorrow is not aimless and that comfort will surely follow in God’s time—an anchor for the soul amid lingering consequences.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For though he sends grief, still he will have pity in the full measure of his love.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

For though He afflicted, yet He hath pitied, According to the abundance of His kindness.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Caph. For if he hath cast off, he will also have mercy, according to the multitude of his mercies.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but if he have caused grief, he will have compassion according to the multitude of his loving-kindnesses:

Context

Continuing the rationale for endurance, this verse balances grief with compassion. Verse 33 will now state explicitly that God does not afflict from His heart, clarifying that His deepest inclination is mercy. These verses provide the theological warmth needed to sustain the humility, silence, and non-retaliation previously urged, and they prepare for the ethical reflections on injustice in verses 34–36.

v.31For the Lord will not cast off for ever.

v.32This passage

v.33For he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 106:43

    Many times did he deliver them; But they were rebellious in their counsel, And were brought low in their iniquity.

  • Exodus 2:23

    And it came to pass in the course of those many days, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

  • Lamentations 3:22

    It is of Jehovah’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

  • Psalms 78:38

    But he, being merciful, forgave theiriniquity, and destroyedthemnot: Yea, many a time turned he his anger away, And did not stir up all his wrath.

  • Judges 10:16

    And they put away the foreign gods from among them, and served Jehovah; and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

  • 2 Kings 13:23

    But Jehovah was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.

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