Lamentations 3:55

What does Lamentations 3:55 mean?

A plain-English look at Lamentations 3:55 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Lamentations 3:55 means

From the lowest dungeon, he called on Jehovah’s name. This is faith’s reflex at the bottom: to invoke God’s revealed name, appealing to His character and covenant. The depth emphasizes that no place is beyond God’s hearing. The verse testifies that prayer is possible and potent even when all other avenues are sealed. Calling on Jehovah is not magic; it is trusting the One who rules both darkness and dawn to incline His ear and rescue in His time.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

I called upon thy name, O Jehovah, out of the lowest dungeon.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

I called upon thy name, O Lord, out of the low dungeon.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

I called upon thy name, O Jehovah, out of the lowest dungeon.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I was making prayer to your name, O Lord, out of the lowest prison.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

I called Thy name, O Jehovah, from the lower pit.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Coph. I have called upon thy name, O Lord, from the lowest pit.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

I called upon thy name, Jehovah, out of the lowest pit.

Context

After describing near-death, the narrative turns to prayer. Verse 56 will affirm that God heard his voice and plead for continued attentiveness. Verse 57 will recall God’s nearness and the comforting word, “Fear not.” This section is a bright counterpoint to earlier claims of blocked prayer (v. 8; v. 44), showing that the cloud eventually parts.

v.54Waters flowed over my head; I said, I am cut off.

v.55This passage

v.56Thou heardest my voice; hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 18:5

    The cords of Sheol were round about me; The snares of death came upon me.

  • Jeremiah 38:6

    Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchijah the king’s son, that was in the court of the guard: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire; and Jeremiah sank in the mire.

  • Psalms 116:3

    The cords of death compassed me, And the pains of Sheol gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.

  • Psalms 142:3

    When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walk Have they hidden a snare for me.

  • Jonah 2:2

    And he said, I called by reason of mine affliction unto Jehovah, And he answered me; Out of the belly of Sheol cried I, And thou heardest my voice.

  • Psalms 69:13

    But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Jehovah, in an acceptable time: O God, in the abundance of thy lovingkindness, Answer me in the truth of thy salvation.

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