Lamentations 3:22

KJV

[It is of] the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

KJV (with Strong's)

It is of the LORD'S {H3068} mercies {H2617} that we are not consumed {H8552}, because his compassions {H7356} fail {H3615} not.

Complete Jewish Bible

that the grace of ADONAI is not exhausted, that his compassion has not ended.

Berean Standard Bible

Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail.

American Standard Version

It is of Jehovah’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 3:22 stands as a profound declaration of divine faithfulness and enduring hope, strategically placed amidst the deep sorrow and national devastation depicted throughout the Book of Lamentations. It asserts that the continued existence and preservation of the people of Judah, despite their deserved judgment and immense suffering, are solely attributable to the unwavering mercies and unfailing compassions of the LORD. This verse serves as a pivotal turning point, shifting the narrative from despair to a foundational trust in God's unchanging character, providing a beacon of light that illuminates the path to restoration through divine grace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The Book of Lamentations is a collection of five poetic laments, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, mourning the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC. Chapters 1 and 2 vividly portray the horrific suffering, desolation, and divine judgment upon Judah. The first part of Chapter 3, particularly verses 1-20, continues this theme of personal and national anguish, with the prophet expressing his own profound affliction and despair. However, a remarkable shift occurs from [Lamentations 3:21](/lamentations/3-21 "Lamentations 3:21 - A Glimmer of Hope"), where the prophet recalls God's faithfulness, leading directly into the declaration of hope found in verse 22. This verse, therefore, is not an isolated statement but the logical and theological climax of a deliberate pivot from utter despondency to a renewed confidence rooted in God's immutable character. It provides the theological basis for the hope that follows in [Lamentations 3:23-26](/lamentations/3-23 "Lamentations 3:23-26 - The Steadfast Love of the Lord").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Lamentations was written in the immediate aftermath of the catastrophic Babylonian siege and destruction of Jerusalem (586 BC), which led to the exile of the Judean population. This event was not merely a military defeat but a profound theological crisis for Israel. The Temple, the dwelling place of God, was destroyed; the Davidic monarchy, a symbol of God's covenant, was overthrown; and the people, God's chosen nation, were scattered. The cultural landscape was one of immense trauma, starvation, disease, and the desecration of sacred spaces. In such a context, the very notion of God's covenant faithfulness was severely tested. Lamentations 3:22 directly addresses this existential crisis, asserting that despite the severity of God's judgment—which was understood as a consequence of Israel's persistent idolatry and disobedience (cf. [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Seventy Years of Exile"))—His underlying character of mercy and compassion ensured that the nation was not utterly annihilated. This provided a theological framework for understanding their survival and the possibility of future restoration.
* **Key Themes:** Lamentations 3:22 is a concentrated expression of several key themes running through the book and broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Preservation**, where God, despite His righteous judgment, actively prevents the complete destruction of His covenant people. This speaks to His unwavering commitment to His promises, even when His people are unfaithful. Connected to this is the theme of **Unfailing Mercy and Compassion**, which highlights that God's *chesed* (steadfast love/mercy) and *rachamim* (tender compassions) are the ultimate reasons for humanity's continued existence and preservation. These attributes are presented as inexhaustible and eternally reliable. Finally, the verse introduces a powerful theme of **Hope Amidst Despair**. In a book overwhelmingly dominated by lament, this verse serves as a critical turning point, redirecting the focus from the depth of human suffering and the consequences of sin to the boundless and unchanging nature of God's love and faithfulness. It teaches that true hope is not found in favorable circumstances but in the immutable character of God, which remains steadfast even in the direst of times, as further elaborated in [Lamentations 3:24](/lamentations/3-24 "Lamentations 3:24 - The Lord is My Portion").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mercies (Hebrew, _chêçêd'_):** This word, H2617, is derived from a root meaning "kindness." It encompasses a rich theological meaning, denoting God's steadfast love, covenant loyalty, faithfulness, and enduring kindness. It is not merely a feeling of pity but an active, committed love that keeps promises and extends grace even when undeserved. In the context of Lamentations, *chesed* is the bedrock of Israel's continued existence, demonstrating God's commitment to His covenant despite Israel's rebellion and the ensuing judgment. It is this unwavering, loyal love that prevents total annihilation.
* **Consumed (Hebrew, _tâmam'_):** H8552, a primitive root, means "to complete," "to end," or "to perish." It can signify total annihilation, being utterly finished, or brought to an end. The phrase "not consumed" powerfully conveys that while God's judgment was severe and devastating, it was not absolute. There was a divine restraint, a purposeful limit to the destruction, ensuring that a remnant survived. This highlights God's sovereignty over judgment itself, demonstrating that His wrath is always tempered by His ultimate redemptive purposes and promises.
* **Compassions (Hebrew, _racham'_):** H7356, often used in the plural (*rachamim*), is derived from a root associated with the "womb." This etymology imbues the word with a profound sense of deep, tender, yearning pity, akin to a mother's visceral love and protective instinct for her child. It speaks of an intimate, empathetic, and nurturing care. The declaration that God's compassions "fail not" (H3615, *kâlâh*, meaning "to end" or "to cease") emphasizes their inexhaustible, eternal, and unfailing nature. This tender, motherly love is a fundamental and unchanging aspect of God's character, providing an endless source of comfort and hope even in the midst of profound suffering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed,"**: This initial clause attributes the very survival of the people of Judah directly to the LORD's (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) steadfast love and covenant faithfulness (*chêçêd*). Despite the overwhelming evidence of divine judgment—the destruction of Jerusalem, the exile, the immense suffering—the prophet asserts that the ultimate reason for their continued existence, for not being utterly annihilated (*tâmam*), is God's enduring mercy. This implies that the judgment, though severe, was not intended for complete extinction but for purification and restoration, a testament to God's self-imposed restraint born of His loving character.
* **"because his compassions fail not."**: This second clause provides the theological ground for the first, explaining *why* they were not consumed. It is because God's tender, deep, and intimate pity (*racham*) does not cease, run out, or come to an end (*kâlâh*). This emphasizes the inexhaustible and eternal nature of God's tender care. His compassion is not a fleeting emotion but an intrinsic and unchanging attribute of His being, guaranteeing His continued engagement with His people, even in their darkest hour, and providing an enduring basis for hope beyond immediate circumstances.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 3:22 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. **Contrast** is central, as the verse stands in stark opposition to the preceding verses of despair and destruction, highlighting the unexpected survival of the people against all odds. This creates a dramatic shift from lament to hope. **Hyperbole** is subtly present in the phrase "not consumed," which, while literally true (a remnant survived), emphasizes the magnitude of the destruction that *could* have occurred, thus magnifying the extent of God's preserving mercy. The phrase "fail not" utilizes **Personification**, attributing the human characteristic of ceasing or failing to God's compassions, thereby emphasizing their eternal and unchanging nature. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Thematic Shift**, marking a pivotal turn in the book from focusing on human suffering and divine judgment to celebrating God's enduring character and the hope it provides.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 3:22 is a cornerstone of biblical theology, articulating the profound truth that God's character of mercy and compassion is the ultimate guarantor of His people's existence and hope, even in the face of deserved judgment. It reveals that divine judgment, while real and severe, is always tempered by God's covenant faithfulness and His deep, tender love for His creation. This verse underscores the concept of a preserving grace that prevents total annihilation, ensuring that God's redemptive purposes will ultimately prevail. It teaches that our hope is not founded on our merits or circumstances, but on the immutable and inexhaustible nature of God's steadfast love.

* [Malachi 3:6](/malachi/3-6 "Malachi 3:6 - God's Unchanging Nature")
* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord's Self-Revelation")
* [Psalm 103:8-11](/psalm/103-8 "Psalm 103:8-11 - The Lord's Compassion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 3:22 offers timeless and profound truth for believers navigating any form of adversity, personal suffering, or societal turmoil. It serves as a powerful reminder that our ultimate stability and future are not dependent on our fluctuating circumstances, our own merits, or the actions of others, but solely on the unchangeable, loving, and merciful nature of God. Even when we face the consequences of our own choices or the brokenness of the world, this verse assures us that God's discipline is always tempered by His boundless mercy, ensuring that His people are refined through trials, not annihilated. It calls us to shift our gaze from the depth of our despair to the height of God's character, recognizing that His compassions are indeed "new every morning" (cf. [Lamentations 3:23](/lamentations/3-23 "Lamentations 3:23 - New Mercies Every Morning")), offering fresh hope, strength, and grace for each new day. This verse encourages a profound trust in God's faithfulness, even when life seems to fall apart, knowing that His tender care will never cease.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "consumed" by circumstances or despair, and how can the truth of God's unfailing mercies redirect your focus?**
* **How does understanding God's "compassions" as akin to a mother's love for her child deepen your trust in His care during times of suffering?**
* **What practical steps can you take to daily acknowledge and rely on God's mercies, which are "new every morning"?**

### FAQ
**Why is Lamentations 3:22 considered a pivotal verse in the book?**

Answer: Lamentations 3:22 is pivotal because it marks a dramatic shift in tone and theological focus within a book otherwise dominated by expressions of profound grief, despair, and divine judgment. After two chapters and the first 20 verses of Chapter 3 detailing the horrors of Jerusalem's destruction and the prophet's personal anguish, this verse introduces a powerful declaration of hope rooted in God's unchanging character. It provides the theological explanation for why the people were not utterly destroyed, asserting that their survival is solely due to God's unfailing mercies and compassions. This shift from lament to hope sets the stage for the remaining verses of Chapter 3, which focus on waiting for the Lord and His goodness (cf. [Lamentations 3:25](/lamentations/3-25 "Lamentations 3:25 - The Lord is Good to Those Who Wait")).

**What does "not consumed" imply about God's judgment?**

Answer: The phrase "not consumed" (Hebrew: *tâmam*) implies that while God's judgment was severe and devastating, it was not absolute or intended for complete annihilation. It signifies that God, in His sovereignty and mercy, placed a limit on the destruction. This suggests that divine judgment, even when righteous and deserved, is always tempered by God's underlying redemptive purposes and His covenant faithfulness. It means that even in the midst of deserved wrath, there is a preserving grace that ensures the continuation of a remnant, keeping open the possibility of repentance, restoration, and the fulfillment of His promises (cf. [Isaiah 1:9](/isaiah/1-9 "Isaiah 1:9 - A Small Remnant")).

**How do God's "mercies" and "compassions" relate to each other in this verse?**

Answer: While both terms speak to God's benevolent nature, "mercies" (Hebrew: *chêçêd*) refers primarily to God's steadfast love, covenant loyalty, and faithfulness—His enduring commitment to His promises and His people. It's a love that is active and reliable. "Compassions" (Hebrew: *racham*), on the other hand, conveys a deeper, more tender, and visceral pity, often likened to a mother's love for her child. It speaks to God's empathetic, nurturing, and intimate care. In Lamentations 3:22, they work in tandem: God's *chêçêd* is the overarching, covenantal love that prevents total destruction, while His *racham* is the tender, profound pity that ensures this love is continually expressed and never ceases. Together, they form the complete picture of God's unwavering, tender, and faithful character that undergirds all hope.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 3:22 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament declaration that "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not" points directly to the person and work of Christ as the supreme manifestation of God's enduring *chesed* and *rachamim*. Humanity, consumed by sin and deserving of eternal judgment, was not utterly destroyed because God's steadfast love intervened. This divine mercy was fully embodied when God "so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son" ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")), demonstrating a compassion that went beyond mere pity to active, self-sacrificial love. The cross of Christ is the ultimate proof that God's compassions "fail not"; through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus bore the full weight of sin, preventing our eternal consumption and offering us reconciliation and new life. The "new mercies every morning" mentioned in [Lamentations 3:23](/lamentations/3-23 "Lamentations 3:23 - New Mercies Every Morning") are made available to us daily through the ongoing intercession of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, ensuring that God's preserving grace continues to sustain us until the day of His glorious return ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood")). In Christ, God's mercy is not just a restraint on judgment, but a proactive, redemptive force that brings salvation and eternal hope to all who believe ([Ephesians 2:4-5](/ephesians/2-4 "Ephesians 2:4-5 - God's Rich Mercy")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 86:15

But thou, O Lord, [art] a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Luke 1:50

And his mercy [is] on them that fear him from generation to generation.

Nehemiah 9:31

Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou [art] a gracious and merciful God.

Micah 7:18

Who [is] a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth [in] mercy.

Micah 7:19

He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

Malachi 3:6

For I [am] the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Psalms 78:38

But he, [being] full of compassion, forgave [their] iniquity, and destroyed [them] not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.