Lamentations 3:40

KJV

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let us search {H2664} and try {H2713} our ways {H1870}, and turn again {H7725} to the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Let us examine and test our ways and return to ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD.

American Standard Version

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 3:40 is a profound call to corporate and individual introspection and repentance, emerging from a book steeped in the profound sorrow and national calamity following Jerusalem's destruction. This verse serves as a pivotal moment within the prophet's lament, shifting from a focus on God's just judgment and enduring mercies to the necessary human response: a diligent self-assessment of one's conduct and a decisive, sincere return to the Lord. It encapsulates the core biblical principle that genuine restoration begins with acknowledging one's failings and reorienting life towards divine will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 3:40 appears within the central and longest chapter of the book, which is notable for its shift from collective lament to a more personal, yet representative, voice of suffering. Chapters 1 and 2 vividly depict the devastation of Jerusalem and the overwhelming grief of its inhabitants. Chapter 3, however, begins with the prophet Jeremiah (or the "man who has seen affliction") recounting his personal suffering, which mirrors the nation's plight. Crucially, amidst this deep despair, verses 21-39 offer a profound theological pivot, declaring God's unfailing love, mercies, and faithfulness even in judgment. This theological foundation—that God's compassions never fail and He does not willingly afflict—sets the stage for verse 40. The preceding verses (37-39) emphasize God's sovereignty over all events, including suffering, and challenge the afflicted not to complain about the consequences of their sin. Thus, verse 40 is a logical and necessary response to God's character and the nation's condition, urging them to take responsibility and act.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Lamentations is traditionally attributed to Jeremiah, written in the aftermath of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC. This event marked the destruction of the First Temple, the collapse of the Davidic monarchy, and the exile of a significant portion of the Judean population. The city, once the vibrant center of Israelite worship and national identity, lay in ruins, its people scattered, enslaved, or suffering under foreign rule. This was an unprecedented national catastrophe for Judah, interpreted by the prophets as divine judgment for generations of idolatry, injustice, and covenant unfaithfulness. In this context of profound national trauma and theological crisis, Lamentations 3:40 speaks directly to a people grappling with the consequences of their actions, urging them to move beyond despair to a posture of accountability and seeking reconciliation with their covenant God. The cultural expectation was that suffering was often linked to sin, making the call to "search and try our ways" a culturally resonant imperative for understanding their plight and seeking restoration.
* **Key Themes:** Lamentations 3:40 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book and broader prophetic literature. First, it highlights the theme of **Divine Justice and Human Accountability**. While God is sovereign and merciful, the suffering experienced by Judah is presented as a direct consequence of their disobedience, underscoring that God is just in His judgments. The verse directly calls the people to acknowledge their role, rather than solely blaming external forces or God Himself. Second, it powerfully expresses the theme of **Repentance and Return (Teshuvah)**. The command to "turn again to the LORD" is the quintessential biblical call to repentance, signifying a complete change of direction from sin back to God. This is not merely remorse but a decisive reorientation of life and heart, reflecting the prophetic hope that even in exile, a return to God is possible, as seen in passages like the call for Israel's return in [Deuteronomy 30:1-3](/deuteronomy/30-1-3 "Deuteronomy 30:1-3 - Return to the Lord") or the heartfelt plea in [Joel 2:12-13](/joel/2-12-13 "Joel 2:12-13 - Return with All Your Heart"). Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **Hope Amidst Despair**. Despite the overwhelming devastation, the very possibility of searching, trying, and turning implies that God remains accessible and that a path to restoration, however long or difficult, remains open. This aligns with the preceding affirmations of God's enduring mercies, providing a foundation for future hope and spiritual renewal, even when physical restoration seems distant, as highlighted throughout the prophetic messages of [Isaiah](/isaiah/1 "The Book of Isaiah") and [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "The Book of Jeremiah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Search (Hebrew, _châphas'_):** From H2664, this primitive root means "to seek," "to investigate diligently," or "to explore." It implies a thorough and deep examination, not a superficial glance. In this context, it suggests a meticulous, internal inquiry into one's own life, actions, and motives, as one would search for a hidden treasure or a lost item. It's an active, intentional, and comprehensive process of self-discovery regarding one's spiritual condition.
* **Try (Hebrew, _châqar'_):** From H2713, this primitive root means "to penetrate," and hence "to examine intimately," "to find out," or "to sound." It conveys the idea of rigorous testing, probing, or scrutinizing, similar to how one might test the depth of water or the quality of a material. Paired with "search," it emphasizes the depth and intensity of the self-examination, ensuring that no aspect of one's "ways" is left unexamined or unverified.
* **Turn again (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** From H7725, this primitive root is the primary biblical word for "repentance." It means "to turn back," "to return," or "to convert." It signifies a complete change of direction, a decisive turning away from a former path (of sin or disobedience) and a turning back towards God. It implies not just a change of mind or feeling, but a fundamental reorientation of one's life, actions, and allegiance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let us search and try our ways":** This opening clause is a collective imperative, a call for the entire community (and by extension, each individual within it) to engage in deep introspection. "Our ways" (H1870, _derek_) refers to their course of life, their mode of action, their conduct, and their moral path. The verbs "search" (_châphas_) and "try" (_châqar_) are intensive, suggesting a meticulous, thorough, and honest self-examination. It's an invitation to scrutinize their actions, decisions, motives, and spiritual condition, acknowledging personal and collective responsibility for their plight, rather than externalizing blame. This process is about uncovering hidden faults and understanding the true nature of their spiritual state.
* **"and turn again to the LORD":** This second clause presents the necessary outcome and ultimate goal of the self-examination. "Turn again" (_shûwb_) signifies repentance, a complete change of direction. It's a turning away from the sinful "ways" that led to their suffering and a decisive reorientation back towards the covenant God, "the LORD" (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_). This is not merely remorse or regret, but an active, intentional return to obedience, trust, and fellowship with the one true God. It implies a restoration of the broken relationship through a renewed commitment to His will and His covenant.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 3:40 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgent message. The primary device is **Imperative Mood**, as the verse begins with direct commands ("Let us search and try... and turn again..."). This creates a sense of urgency and direct address, demanding an immediate and active response from the audience. The use of the first-person plural "us" indicates a call for **Corporate Responsibility** and collective action, acknowledging that the nation's suffering is a shared consequence requiring a shared response. There is also a strong element of **Parallelism** in the pairing of "search" and "try," where two closely related verbs are used to intensify the meaning of self-examination, emphasizing its thoroughness. Finally, the verse functions as a powerful **Metaphor** for spiritual journey: "ways" represents the path of life, and "turning again" is a metaphorical journey back to a right relationship with God. This imagery makes the abstract concept of repentance tangible and actionable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 3:40 stands as a foundational statement on the nature of repentance and divine restoration within the biblical narrative. It underscores the profound truth that God's judgment, though severe, is always purposed towards repentance and reconciliation, never solely annihilation. The call to "search and try our ways" acknowledges human accountability for sin, while the command to "turn again to the LORD" affirms God's enduring willingness to receive those who genuinely seek Him. This verse bridges the gap between suffering and hope, suggesting that even in the deepest valleys of despair, the path to renewal is paved by sincere self-examination and a decisive return to God's covenant. It teaches that true spiritual healing begins with an honest assessment of one's spiritual condition and a reorientation of one's life towards divine truth and righteousness.

* [Psalm 139:23-24](/psalm/139-23-24 "Psalm 139:23-24 - David's Prayer for Divine Scrutiny")
* [Isaiah 55:7](/isaiah/55-7 "Isaiah 55:7 - The Call to Forsake Wicked Ways")
* [Hosea 6:1](/hosea/6-1 "Hosea 6:1 - A Call to Return and Live")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 3:40 offers a timeless and profoundly relevant blueprint for spiritual health, both individually and corporately. In a world often quick to externalize blame or wallow in despair, this verse calls us to courageous introspection. It challenges us to pause, to look inward with unflinching honesty, and to scrutinize the "ways" we have walked – our habits, our attitudes, our priorities, our relationships, and our spiritual disciplines. This isn't an exercise in self-condemnation, but a vital step towards authentic spiritual growth and freedom. The ultimate goal of this self-examination is not merely to identify flaws, but to prompt a decisive "turning again to the LORD." This turning is an active, ongoing process of repentance, a re-alignment of our will with God's, and a renewed commitment to walk in His paths. It reminds us that even when we face the consequences of our own choices or collective failings, God's mercy remains accessible, and the path to restoration is always open through sincere and active repentance. This verse encourages us to embrace accountability as a pathway to hope and renewal, trusting that as we turn to Him, He will turn to us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "ways" in my life (habits, attitudes, priorities) might need a thorough "search and try" today?**
* **In what specific areas do I need to "turn again to the LORD" with greater intentionality and commitment?**
* **How does embracing personal accountability for my actions lead to greater spiritual freedom and peace?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to implement a deeper level of self-examination and repentance in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "search and try" our ways?**

Answer: The phrase "search and try" (Hebrew _châphas_ and _châqar_) signifies a deep, meticulous, and honest introspection. It's not a superficial glance but a thorough investigation into one's actions, motives, and spiritual condition. In the context of Lamentations, it means acknowledging personal and collective responsibility for the suffering endured by the nation, recognizing that their "ways" (conduct, path of life) led to divine judgment. This rigorous self-examination is the necessary precursor to genuine repentance and restoration, as highlighted in [Psalm 19:12](/psalm/19-12 "Psalm 19:12 - Uncovering Hidden Faults").

**How does this verse relate to the concept of repentance in the Bible?**

Answer: Lamentations 3:40 encapsulates the core biblical concept of repentance, or _teshuvah_ in Hebrew, which literally means "to turn back" or "to return." The command "turn again to the LORD" is a direct call to this transformative act. It implies a decisive change of direction—turning away from sin and disobedience, and turning back towards God's covenant and His will. This is more than just feeling sorry; it's a fundamental reorientation of one's life, as seen in the call to repentance throughout the prophets and the New Testament, such as [Acts 3:19](/acts/3-19 "Acts 3:19 - Repentance and Times of Refreshing").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 3:40, with its urgent call to "search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD," finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament call to repentance often pointed to a turning from specific sins and back to the Law, Christ embodies the very essence of what it means to turn to God. He is the [Way, the Truth, and the Life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus: The Exclusive Path to God"), and to "turn again to the LORD" is now, fundamentally, to turn to Him. Our self-examination, prompted by the Holy Spirit, reveals our utter inability to perfectly "search and try our ways" or to truly "turn again" on our own strength. It is only through Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross that our "ways" can be truly cleansed and our turning made acceptable to God. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Atoning Sacrifice"), making genuine repentance and reconciliation possible. Furthermore, Jesus's life perfectly exemplified the "ways" of God, providing the ultimate standard for our own conduct. As believers, our ongoing repentance is not merely a turning from sin, but a continual turning towards Christ, abiding in Him, and allowing His Spirit to transform our "ways" to reflect His own, as described in [Romans 12:2](/romans/12-2 "Romans 12:2 - Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind") and [Galatians 2:20](/galatians/2-20 "Galatians 2:20 - Crucified with Christ, Living by Faith"). Thus, Lamentations 3:40 foreshadows the profound and life-giving repentance made possible through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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

2 Corinthians 13:5

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Psalms 139:23

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

Psalms 139:24

And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Joel 2:12

¶ Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye [even] to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

Joel 2:13

And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he [is] gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Psalms 4:4

Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

Psalms 119:59

¶ I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.