Lamentations 3:58

What does Lamentations 3:58 mean?

A plain-English look at Lamentations 3:58 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Lamentations 3:58 means

He confesses that the Lord took up his legal cause and redeemed his life. God is portrayed as an advocate in court and a kinsman-redeemer who pays the price to free. This is personal salvation from death’s brink, grounded in God’s justice and mercy. For Christians, this advocacy and redemption find their fullest expression in Christ, who pleads for His people and secures their deliverance. The verse assures the afflicted that God is not only a comforter but also a defender who intervenes to rescue the lives of those who call on His name.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

O Lord, you have taken up the cause of my soul, you have made my life safe.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Thou hast pleaded, O Lord, the pleadings of my soul, Thou hast redeemed my life.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Res. Thou hast judged, O Lord, the cause of my soul, thou the Redeemer of my life.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Lord, thou hast pleaded the cause of my soul, thou hast redeemed my life.

Context

Having recalled God’s nearness and comfort, the speaker now celebrates concrete help—Jehovah’s advocacy and redemption. Verses 59–63 will convert this into current petitions: God has seen his wrong, heard the enemies’ reproach, and observed their plots. On that basis, he will ask for righteous recompense in verses 64–66.

v.57Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee; thou saidst, Fear not.

v.58This passage

v.59O Jehovah, thou hast seen my wrong; judge thou my cause.

Cross references

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

  • Jeremiah 50:34

    Their Redeemer is strong; Jehovah of hosts is his name: he will thoroughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.

  • Psalms 34:22

    Jehovah redeemeth the soul of his servants; And none of them that take refuge in him shall be condemned.

  • Genesis 48:16

    the angel who hath redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

  • Jeremiah 51:36

    Therefore thus saith Jehovah: Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her fountain dry.

  • Psalms 103:4

    Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

  • Psalms 71:23

    My lips shall shout for joy when I sing praises unto thee; And my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

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