My soul hath [them] still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
They are always on my mind; this is why I am so depressed.
Surely my soul remembers and is humbled within me.
My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is bowed down within me.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
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Psalms 42:11
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God. -
Psalms 42:5
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and [why] art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him [for] the help of his countenance. -
Psalms 42:6
¶ O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. -
Job 21:6
Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh. -
Psalms 43:5
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God. -
Psalms 44:25
For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth. -
Psalms 146:8
The LORD openeth [the eyes of] the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:
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
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."