Devine Scripture

Lamentations 3:64

What does Lamentations 3:64 mean?

A plain-English look at Lamentations 3:64 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Lamentations 3:64 means

He expresses confidence that Jehovah will repay the enemies according to the work of their hands. This is not personal vendetta but appeal to divine justice. The phrase “according to” emphasizes proportionate recompense—God’s judgments fit the deeds. Such petitions entrust vengeance to the Lord, freeing the sufferer from retaliatory violence. The verse underscores the biblical assurance that the moral order is upheld by God, who will not let wickedness ultimately prosper.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Thou wilt render unto them a recompense, O Jehovah, according to the work of their hands.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Render unto them a recompence, O Lord, according to the work of their hands.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Thou wilt render unto them a recompense, O Jehovah, according to the work of their hands.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

You will give them their reward, O Lord, answering to the work of their hands.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Thou returnest to them the deed, O Jehovah, According to the work of their hands.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Thau. Thou shalt render them a recompense, O Lord, according to the works of their hands.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Render unto them a recompence, O Jehovah, according to the work of their hands;

Context

Having laid out the enemies’ wrongs and God’s awareness, the prayer now asks for righteous recompense. Verse 65 will intensify the request, asking God to give them hardness of heart and His curse. Verse 66 will conclude with a plea for thorough pursuit and destruction under Jehovah’s anger. These final petitions arise from the entire chapter’s themes of justice, repentance, and God’s sovereign rule.

v.63Behold thou their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their song.

v.64This passage

v.65Thou wilt give them hardness of heart, thy curse unto them.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 6:10

    and they cried with a great voice, saying, How long, O Master, the holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

  • Revelation 18:6

    Render unto her even as she rendered, and double unto her the double according to her works: in the cup which she mingled, mingle unto her double.

  • Jeremiah 50:29

    Call together the archers against Babylon, all them that bend the bow; encamp against her round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her; for she hath been proud against Jehovah, against the Holy One of Israel.

  • Psalms 28:4

    Give them according to their work, and according to the wickedness of their doings: Give them after the operation of their hands; Render to them their desert.

  • Jeremiah 11:20

    But, O Jehovah of hosts, who judgest righteously, who triest the heart and the mind, I shall see thy vengeance on them; for unto thee have I revealed my cause.

  • 2 Timothy 4:14

    Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord will render to him according to his works:

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