Lamentations 3:23

KJV

[They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness.

KJV (with Strong's)

They are new {H2319} every morning {H1242}: great {H7227} is thy faithfulness {H530}.

Complete Jewish Bible

[On the contrary,] they are new every morning! How great your faithfulness!

Berean Standard Bible

They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!

American Standard Version

They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 3:23 stands as a profound declaration of divine constancy and renewal, emerging as a beacon of hope within a book otherwise steeped in the anguish of national catastrophe and personal suffering. It asserts that God's mercies, which prevent utter destruction, are not finite but are freshly available with each new day, culminating in the foundational truth that His faithfulness is immeasurable and unwavering, providing a steadfast anchor for the soul even in the deepest valleys of despair.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 3:23 is strategically placed within the central chapter of the book, which marks a pivotal shift from the overwhelming lament of chapters 1 and 2 to a glimmer of hope and confession of faith. The preceding verse, which declares, "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not" ([Lamentations 3:22](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22 - God's Unfailing Mercies")), sets the immediate stage. The "they" in verse 23 directly refers back to these "mercies" and "compassions," emphasizing their continuous and inexhaustible nature. This verse, therefore, serves as a powerful theological pivot, moving from a detailed description of suffering to an affirmation of God's unchanging character, providing a necessary theological foundation for the hope that begins to emerge in the latter half of the chapter, culminating in the lamenter's renewed trust in God's goodness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Lamentations captures the raw grief and spiritual struggle of the people of Judah following the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonian Empire in 586 BCE, and the subsequent exile of its inhabitants. This event was not merely a military defeat but a profound theological crisis, as it challenged the people's understanding of God's covenant promises and His presence among them. The cultural context was one of deep mourning, national humiliation, and existential questioning, where the very foundations of their religious and national identity had been shattered. Against this backdrop of unprecedented despair, the prophet (traditionally Jeremiah) articulates a truth that transcends immediate circumstances, pointing to a divine attribute that remains constant despite human failure and suffering, offering a counter-narrative to the prevailing sense of abandonment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes woven throughout Lamentations and the broader prophetic tradition. It underscores the theme of **Divine Mercy and Compassion**, highlighting that God's grace is not exhausted by human sin or suffering, as seen in the preceding declaration of [Lamentations 3:22](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22 - God's Enduring Compassion"). It also champions the theme of **God's Unwavering Faithfulness**, a core attribute of Yahweh that is affirmed even when His people are unfaithful, echoing promises found in the covenant relationship described in [Deuteronomy 7:9](/deuteronomy/7-9 "Deuteronomy 7:9 - God's Faithful Covenant"). Crucially, it introduces the theme of **Hope Amidst Despair**, suggesting that even in the darkest night of sorrow, the dawn brings a fresh manifestation of God's goodness, a concept also powerfully expressed in [Psalm 30:5](/psalm/30-5 "Psalm 30:5 - Weeping and Joy"). This verse serves as a theological anchor, reminding the lamenter and the reader that God's character remains the ultimate source of stability and future restoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **new (Hebrew, _châdâsh'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to renew" or "to repair," this word signifies not merely novelty but a fresh, restored, or regenerated quality. In this context, it emphasizes the continuous, unceasing nature of God's mercies, which are not depleted but are made fresh and available at the start of each new day, offering a perpetual opportunity for grace and hope, even after a night of deep sorrow or sin.
* **morning (Hebrew, _bôqer'_):** Literally meaning "dawn" or "morning," this word points to the beginning of a new day, the time when light breaks through darkness. It serves as a powerful temporal marker, symbolizing a fresh start, a new opportunity, and the breaking of despair with the promise of renewed divine favor and intervention, reinforcing the idea of God's consistent provision.
* **great (Hebrew, _rab'_):** This term signifies abundance, vastness, and mighty quality. When applied to God's faithfulness, it emphasizes the immeasurable and inexhaustible nature of this divine attribute. It indicates that God's commitment to His promises and His people is immense and unshakeable, transcending all human limitations, failures, and the severity of their circumstances.
* **faithfulness (Hebrew, _ʼĕmûwnâh'_):** This significant Hebrew term denotes firmness, steadfastness, reliability, and trustworthiness. It is closely related to the concept of truth and security. When applied to God, it speaks to His unchangeable character, His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, and His absolute reliability, regardless of circumstances or human unfaithfulness. It is the very foundation upon which hope in the midst of despair can be built.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[They are] new every morning":** This clause refers back to the "mercies" and "compassions" of the Lord mentioned in [Lamentations 3:22](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22 - The Source of Our Hope"). It conveys the profound truth that God's grace and pity are not finite resources that diminish over time or with repeated human failure. Instead, they are perpetually fresh, renewed with each dawn, signifying that every new day brings a renewed outpouring of divine favor, providing fresh opportunities for repentance, restoration, and strength, even after a night of deep sorrow or sin. This speaks to the daily, tangible experience of God's sustaining presence.
* **"great [is] thy faithfulness":** This is a direct, emphatic declaration about the character of God. It serves as the theological bedrock for the preceding statement about renewed mercies. Despite the devastating circumstances of Judah's destruction and exile, and despite the people's unfaithfulness, the prophet affirms that God's essential nature is one of unwavering fidelity. His faithfulness is "great" (Hebrew: _rab_), meaning abundant, vast, and mighty, indicating that His commitment to His promises and His people is immense and unshakeable, transcending all human limitations and failures. This attribute provides the ultimate assurance that God will not abandon His covenant people.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 3:23 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The phrase "new every morning" utilizes **Metaphor** and **Symbolism**, where the daily return of dawn symbolizes the consistent, fresh outpouring of God's mercies, breaking through the darkness of despair. This daily renewal acts as a **Contrast** to the continuous suffering described elsewhere in the book, offering a moment of light amidst the shadows. The entire verse functions as a powerful **Affirmation** or **Declaration**, a direct and unwavering statement of theological truth ("great is thy faithfulness") that stands as an unshakeable anchor in a context of immense instability. Furthermore, the passage demonstrates **Juxtaposition**, placing the profound and unchanging faithfulness of God directly against the backdrop of human suffering and national ruin, thereby highlighting the divine character as the ultimate source of hope and stability in a chaotic world.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 3:23 is a cornerstone verse that beautifully encapsulates the tension between divine judgment and enduring grace, a central theme throughout biblical theology. It teaches that even when God's people experience the consequences of their sin, His fundamental character of faithfulness remains immutable. This verse underscores the concept of God's covenant loyalty, demonstrating that His commitment to His promises and His people is not contingent upon their perfection but flows from His own unchanging nature. It provides a theological basis for daily hope and perseverance, reminding believers that divine compassion is a constant, renewable resource, accessible at the dawn of each new day, even when the previous day was filled with darkness, offering a profound counterpoint to the despair.

* [Deuteronomy 7:9](/deuteronomy/7-9 "Deuteronomy 7:9 - God's Faithful Covenant Keeping")
* [Psalm 30:5](/psalm/30-5 "Psalm 30:5 - The Promise of Joy in the Morning")
* [Malachi 3:6](/malachi/3-6 "Malachi 3:6 - God's Unchanging Nature")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 3:23 offers profound comfort and practical guidance for believers navigating life's inevitable seasons of sorrow, failure, and uncertainty. It calls us to shift our gaze from the fleeting circumstances of our lives to the steadfast character of God. In a world where hope often feels scarce and despair can easily overwhelm, this verse reminds us that God's mercies are not a limited commodity but are generously replenished each morning. This encourages a posture of daily dependence and renewed trust, knowing that no matter how dark the night, the dawn brings a fresh opportunity for God's grace to meet us. It challenges us to cultivate a habit of looking for God's fresh mercies daily, even in the mundane or difficult, and to anchor our hope not in our own strength or circumstances, but in the immeasurable and unwavering faithfulness of our Creator, allowing His constancy to stabilize our fluctuating emotions and experiences.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to experience God's "new mercies" today, and how can you actively seek them?**
* **How does the truth of God's "great faithfulness" provide comfort or strength in your current challenges, especially when circumstances seem to contradict His goodness?**
* **What practical steps can you take to intentionally acknowledge and rely on God's daily renewal, fostering a deeper sense of hope and gratitude?**

### FAQ
**How can God's mercies be "new every morning" when my problems seem to persist or even worsen?**

Answer: The phrase "new every morning" does not necessarily promise the immediate removal of all difficulties, but rather the fresh, continuous, and unfailing supply of God's compassion, strength, and grace to face those difficulties. It means that God's capacity to show mercy and His commitment to His people are never exhausted; they are renewed daily, providing fresh hope, resilience, and wisdom for each new day's challenges. Even when circumstances don't change, God's mercies provide the inner resources to endure, to trust, and to find peace amidst the storm, as seen in the broader context of the lamenter's journey from despair to hope in [Lamentations 3](/lamentations/3 "Lamentations 3 - Hope in the Midst of Suffering").

**What does "great is thy faithfulness" imply about God's character?**

Answer: This declaration implies that God is utterly reliable, consistent, and true to His word and His nature. His faithfulness is "great" (Hebrew: _rab_), signifying its vastness, abundance, and unwavering quality. It means that despite human unfaithfulness, sin, or suffering, God remains steadfast in His promises and His covenant love. This attribute provides a secure foundation for trust, assuring believers that God will never abandon them nor fail to fulfill His purposes, even when circumstances seem to contradict His goodness, a truth powerfully echoed in [2 Timothy 2:13](/2_timothy/2-13 "2 Timothy 2:13 - God Remains Faithful") which states, "If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 3:23 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "new mercies" that greet us "every morning" are perfectly embodied in the [resurrection of Jesus](/luke/24-1 "Luke 24:1 - The Resurrection Morning"), which inaugurated a new creation and a new covenant, offering daily renewal not just of compassion but of spiritual life itself. Through Christ, we are given a [new heart and a new spirit](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and Spirit"), and His mercies are poured out not merely each morning, but continually through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who brings the [fresh mercies of God](/romans/5-5 "Romans 5:5 - God's Love Poured Out") into our lives. Furthermore, the "great faithfulness" of God, so desperately affirmed by the lamenter, is perfectly demonstrated in Christ, who is the ["Amen, the faithful and true witness"](/revelation/3-14 "Revelation 3:14 - Jesus, the Faithful Witness"). God's promises, which are the very expression of His faithfulness, are ["Yes" and "Amen" in Christ Jesus](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises in Christ"). His atoning sacrifice on the cross and His victorious resurrection are the ultimate testament to God's unwavering commitment to redeem humanity, providing not just daily mercies but eternal salvation and an unshakeable hope that transcends all earthly suffering, truly making His faithfulness great and eternally manifest in His Son.

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

Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;)

Psalms 30:5

For his anger [endureth but] a moment; in his favour [is] life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy [cometh] in the morning.

Isaiah 33:2

O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.

Psalms 89:33

Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.

Psalms 36:5

¶ Thy mercy, O LORD, [is] in the heavens; [and] thy faithfulness [reacheth] unto the clouds.

Zephaniah 3:5

The just LORD [is] in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.

Exodus 34:6

And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,