3:22 3:22

Lamentations 3:23

3:24 3:24

Bible Versions

[They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness.
They are new {H2319} every morning {H1242}: great {H7227} is thy faithfulness {H530}.
[On the contrary,] they are new every morning! How great your faithfulness!
They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!
They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.

Commentary on Lamentations 3:23 (KJV)

Lamentations 3:23 is a profound declaration of hope and trust in God's character, found amidst a book primarily focused on deep sorrow and lament over the destruction of Jerusalem. This verse is a cornerstone of comfort for many believers.

Context

The Book of Lamentations is traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, often called the "weeping prophet." It expresses the immense grief and despair of the people of Judah following the siege and destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC, and the subsequent exile. Chapters 1 and 2 describe the devastation and divine judgment. However, Chapter 3 marks a significant shift in tone. Here, the lamenter (likely Jeremiah himself) turns from dwelling solely on suffering to reflecting on God's enduring mercy and faithfulness, even in the midst of profound pain. Verse 23 directly follows Lamentations 3:22, which states, "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not." The "they" in verse 23 refers back to these mercies and compassions.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Renewing Mercies: The phrase "They are new every morning" emphasizes the fresh, continuous, and unfailing nature of God's compassions and mercies. Each new day brings a renewed outpouring of His grace, providing hope and strength even after a night of weeping or despair. This highlights the daily availability of divine favor.
  • God's Unwavering Faithfulness: The core declaration, "great is thy faithfulness," is a powerful affirmation of God's unchanging character and reliability. Despite Judah's unfaithfulness, their suffering, and the apparent absence of God's intervention, the prophet affirms that God remains true to His covenant and His promises. His faithfulness is not dependent on human circumstances or merit.
  • Hope Amidst Despair: This verse serves as a beacon of hope in a book otherwise filled with lament. It teaches that even in the deepest valleys of sorrow and judgment, there is always a foundation for hope rooted in the immutable character of God. It encourages looking beyond present circumstances to the steadfastness of the Divine.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "faithfulness" is 'emunah (אֱמוּנָה), which conveys the idea of firmness, steadfastness, reliability, and trustworthiness. It is related to the word for "truth" or "firmness." This emphasizes God's consistent and unwavering nature, His commitment to His promises and His people. The phrase "new every morning" (חָדָשִׁים לַבְּקָרִים - chadashim labbeqarim) literally means "new at the mornings," underscoring the regularity and freshness of God's mercies with each dawn.

Related Scriptures

  • The concept of God's enduring faithfulness is echoed throughout Scripture, such as in Deuteronomy 7:9, which states that God is faithful to those who love Him.
  • This verse beautifully complements Psalm 30:5, which proclaims, "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning," reinforcing the theme of daily renewal and hope.
  • The unchanging nature of God, which undergirds His faithfulness, is also affirmed in Malachi 3:6: "For I am the LORD, I change not."
  • Paul speaks of God's faithfulness to His promises in 2 Corinthians 1:20, assuring believers that "all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen."

Practical Application

Lamentations 3:23 offers immense comfort and encouragement for contemporary believers. It reminds us that no matter how dark our circumstances, how great our failures, or how deep our despair, God's mercies are available afresh every single day. This verse encourages us to:

  • Embrace Daily Renewal: Start each day with the understanding that God's compassion has not run out; there is always a new opportunity for His grace and help.
  • Trust in God's Character: Anchor our hope not in fleeting circumstances but in the unchanging, steadfast faithfulness of God, who is always reliable and true to His word.
  • Find Hope in Hardship: Even when life is filled with pain and uncertainty, this verse provides a powerful antidote to despair, inviting us to look to God's character as the ultimate source of strength and hope.
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.

  • 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,
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