Lamentations 3:50

Commentary on Lamentations 3:50 (KJV)

Lamentations 3:50: "Till the LORD look down, and behold from heaven."

Context

Lamentations is a book of profound sorrow, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, mourning the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC and the subsequent exile of its people. Chapter 3 is unique within the book, as it shifts from corporate lament to an individual voice, often understood as Jeremiah himself, or a representative of the suffering nation. This chapter moves from deep despair (verses 1-20) to a powerful declaration of God's enduring mercy and faithfulness (verses 21-39). Verses 40-54 then return to a plea for divine intervention, detailing the speaker's intense suffering and cries for help. Verse 50 concludes a section that describes the speaker's desperate prayers reaching heaven, expressing a persistent hope that God will eventually take notice of their plight.

Key Themes

• Perseverance in Prayer: The phrase "Till the LORD look down" underscores a relentless, unwavering commitment to prayer, even when answers are not immediately apparent. It highlights a faith that endures through prolonged suffering.
• Divine Omniscience and Perspective: This verse emphasizes God's elevated position in heaven, from which He sees and knows all earthly conditions. It speaks to His sovereign oversight of human affairs, including suffering.
• Hope for Divine Intervention: Despite the overwhelming distress, there is an underlying hope that God will not remain silent or indifferent. The plea is for God to actively "look down" and "behold," implying a compassionate and decisive intervention.
• God's Justice and Mercy: The expectation that God will finally look down suggests a belief that He will ultimately act in justice, vindicating His people, or in mercy, alleviating their suffering.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "look down" is nabat (נָבַט), which implies a focused, attentive gaze, not merely a casual glance. It suggests God taking notice with intent to act. The word "behold" is ra'ah (רָאָה), a more general term for seeing, but used here to reinforce the idea of God's comprehensive and attentive observation from His exalted position. Together, they convey a yearning for God to not just see, but to deeply perceive and respond to the suffering of His people.

Related Scriptures

This desperate plea reflects a deep conviction in God's ability to hear and respond from His throne, echoing the sentiment found in 2 Chronicles 7:14, where God promises to hear from heaven if His people humble themselves and pray. The speaker's hope is rooted in the belief that despite present affliction, God's mercies are not consumed, and His compassions fail not, a truth powerfully declared earlier in this same chapter. This divine perspective from heaven highlights God's omniscience, as He beholds all the sons of men from His dwelling place.

Practical Application

Lamentations 3:50 offers profound encouragement for believers facing prolonged hardship or seemingly unanswered prayers. It reminds us:

1. To Persist in Prayer: Even when God seems distant or silent, we are called to continue crying out to Him. Our prayers are heard, and they ascend to His heavenly throne.
2. God Sees Our Suffering: We can find comfort in the assurance that God, from His infinite wisdom and power, sees every tear, every pain, and every struggle we endure. Nothing escapes His notice.
3. Trust in God's Timing: The phrase "Till the LORD look down" implies a waiting period. It teaches us patience and trust that God will intervene in His perfect timing, according to His perfect will.
4. Hope Beyond Circumstance: This verse anchors our hope not in changing circumstances, but in the unchanging character of God, who is just, merciful, and sovereign over all.