Lamentations 3:57
What does Lamentations 3:57 mean?
A plain-English look at Lamentations 3:57 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Lamentations 3:57 means
He remembers that God drew near on the day he called and spoke, “Fear not.” Divine nearness and a word of reassurance changed everything, even before circumstances shifted. The verse shows that God’s first gift in deliverance is Himself—His presence and promise that dispels dread. This is the opposite of the earlier sense of a blocked heaven. When Jehovah speaks comfort, the heart is steadied to endure and to wait for full salvation. His timely “Fear not” is enough to lift the soul from the dungeon of despair.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee; thou saidst, Fear not.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee; thou saidst, Fear not.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949You came near in the day when I made my prayer to you: you said, Have no fear.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Thou hast drawn near in the day I call Thee, Thou hast said, Fear not.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Coph. Thou drewest near in the day, when I called upon thee, thou saidst: Fear not.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee; thou saidst, Fear not.
Context
This is the climax of the deliverance recollection. Next, verse 58 will celebrate Jehovah as advocate and redeemer of his life. Verses 59–63 will then turn these memories into fresh appeals for God to see and judge the injustices still being suffered, trusting that the God who drew near before will act again.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 58:9
Then shalt thou call, and Jehovah will answer; thou shalt cry, and he will say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking wickedly;
- Isaiah 43:1
But now thus saith Jehovah that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine.
- Jeremiah 1:17
Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at them, lest I dismay thee before them.
- Isaiah 41:10
fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
- Acts 18:9
And the Lord said unto Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace:
- James 4:8
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded.
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