Lamentations 3:20

Lamentations 3:20 captures the profound depth of the prophet Jeremiah's personal suffering and the lasting impact of the desolation he witnessed. This verse is part of a deeply personal lament within the book, where Jeremiah expresses his own anguish over the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile.

Context

The Book of Lamentations is a sorrowful poetic response to the catastrophic fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC and the subsequent exile of the Jewish people. Traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, the book serves as a communal dirge, mourning the loss of the Temple, the city, and the nation's independence. Chapter 3 stands out as a more individual lament, where Jeremiah recounts his personal afflictions and the bitterness of his experience. Verse 20 directly follows his description of "my affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall" in Lamentations 3:19, emphasizing the persistent nature of his painful memories. This verse serves as a raw acknowledgment of despair just before the pivotal turn to hope found in Lamentations 3:21, where he declares, "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope."

Key Themes

• Persistent Remembrance of Suffering: The phrase "My soul hath them still in remembrance" vividly portrays the enduring nature of trauma and grief. The memories of profound loss and affliction are not easily forgotten; they remain etched in the soul, continuously impacting the present.
• Humility Born of Affliction: To be "humbled in me" speaks to a deep, internal brokenness. This isn't just intellectual acknowledgment but a spiritual and emotional prostration. Extreme suffering often strips away pride and self-reliance, leading to a profound state of humility and dependence on God.
• The Depth of Despair: This verse perfectly encapsulates the nadir of human despair before the speaker grasps onto the mercies of God. It validates the experience of feeling completely overwhelmed and brought low by life's hardships.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "humbled" is šāḥaḥ (שָׁחַח), which literally means to bow down, sink down, or be brought low. It conveys a sense of physical and spiritual prostration, often as a result of affliction, grief, or weakness. This isn't merely a mental state but a profound, internal bowing of the spirit under the weight of sorrow and remembrance.

Practical Application

Lamentations 3:20 offers solace and understanding for those grappling with persistent grief or traumatic memories. It affirms that it is natural for the soul to remember deep pain, and that this remembrance can lead to a humbling experience. For believers, this humility can be a necessary step in turning towards God for comfort and renewed hope, as exemplified by Jeremiah himself in the subsequent verses. It reminds us that even in our deepest valleys, acknowledging our brokenness can be a prerequisite for experiencing God's comfort and strength, as seen in 1 Peter 5:6: "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time."