Lamentations 3:48
What does Lamentations 3:48 mean?
A plain-English look at Lamentations 3:48 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Lamentations 3:48 means
The speaker weeps rivers for the destruction of the daughter of his people. His grief is not detached; it is passionate and sustained. The language of streams of water shows how deeply the nation’s ruin wounds him. This is the proper heart of a shepherd-prophet or representative sufferer: to mourn with those who mourn and to carry their pain to God. Such tears are prayers without words, pleading for Jehovah’s mercy on a devastated people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Mine eye runneth down with streams of water, for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Mine eye runneth down with streams of water, for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Rivers of water are running down from my eyes, for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Rivulets of water go down my eye, For the destruction of the daughter of my people.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Phe. My eye hath run down with streams of water, for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Mine eye runneth down with streams of water for the ruin of the daughter of my people.
Context
Following the summary of calamity, the text turns to tears. Verses 49–50 will intensify the portrayal of unceasing weeping until Jehovah looks down from heaven. Verse 51 will add that what the eyes see affects the soul deeply. This section invites God’s compassionate attention through heartfelt lament.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Lamentations 2:18
Their heart cried unto the Lord: O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night; Give thyself no respite; let not the apple of thine eye cease.
- Jeremiah 9:18
and let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.
- Lamentations 2:11
Mine eyes do fail with tears, my heart is troubled; My liver is poured upon the earth, because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, Because the young children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city.
- Jeremiah 13:17
But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because Jehovah’s flock is taken captive.
- Psalms 119:136
Streams of water run down mine eyes, Because they observe not thy law. צ TSADHE.
- Romans 9:1
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing witness with me in the Holy Spirit,
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