Lamentations 3:55

KJV

¶ I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon.

KJV (with Strong's)

I called {H7121} upon thy name {H8034}, O LORD {H3068}, out of the low {H8482} dungeon {H953}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I called on your name, ADONAI, from the bottom of the pit.

Berean Standard Bible

I called on Your name, O LORD, out of the depths of the Pit.

American Standard Version

I called upon thy name, O Jehovah, out of the lowest dungeon.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 3:55 captures the raw, desperate cry of the prophet from the deepest pit of suffering, metaphorically described as a "low dungeon." This verse is a profound testament to the enduring power of prayer and faith, even when one is overwhelmed by despair and seemingly abandoned. It portrays a soul in extremis, yet still clinging to the hope that the covenant God, Yahweh, hears and responds to the cries of His people, regardless of the depth of their affliction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 3:55 is situated within the heart of the Book of Lamentations, a collection of five poetic laments mourning the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC. Chapter 3, uniquely, shifts from the communal lament of the earlier chapters to a deeply personal lament, often attributed to Jeremiah. This chapter begins with intense personal suffering, describing the prophet's own experience of God's heavy hand (e.g., [Lamentations 3:1-18](/lamentations/3 "Lamentations 3:1-18 - The Prophet's Personal Lament")). However, it pivots dramatically with the profound declaration of God's steadfast love and mercies in [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - God's Steadfast Love and Mercies"). Verse 55, therefore, serves as a poignant recollection of the prophet's cry for help from the very depths of his distress, preceding his testimony of God's deliverance in [Lamentations 3:56-58](/lamentations/3-56 "Lamentations 3:56-58 - God Hears and Redeems"). It is a crucial moment where personal agony meets divine faithfulness, setting the stage for the subsequent hope.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Lamentations is a direct response to the catastrophic events of the Babylonian siege and destruction of Jerusalem (586 BC), the burning of the Temple, and the subsequent exile of the Judahite population. This period marked the end of the Davidic monarchy and the loss of the promised land, profoundly shaking the theological foundations of Israel. The "low dungeon" (Hebrew: *bôwr tachtîy*) referenced in [Lamentations 3:55](/lamentations/3-55 "Lamentations 3:55 - The Cry from the Low Dungeon") would have been a familiar image of extreme confinement and suffering in the ancient Near East—pits or cisterns, often dry, used as prisons, sometimes with muddy bottoms, making escape nearly impossible. The cultural understanding of such a place would evoke images of isolation, filth, and imminent death, amplifying the desperate nature of the prophet's cry. The historical reality of the city's devastation, famine, and the suffering of its people provides the grim backdrop against which this personal lament unfolds, making the prophet's act of calling upon the LORD all the more significant.

* **Key Themes:** Lamentations 3:55 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book and biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Prayer in Extreme Adversity**, demonstrating that even from the most dire and hopeless circumstances, a cry to God is possible and heard. Secondly, it highlights **God's Sovereignty and Accessibility**, asserting that no pit is too deep for God's presence or too far for His ear, reinforcing His omnipresence and omnipotence. Thirdly, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Hope Amidst Despair**, as the very act of calling upon God's name signifies an underlying trust in His character and power to save, even when immediate circumstances offer no visible relief. This hope is fully articulated in [Lamentations 3:21-26](/lamentations/3-21 "Lamentations 3:21-26 - Hope in God's Steadfast Love"). Finally, the appeal to "the LORD" (Yahweh) emphasizes **God's Covenant Faithfulness**, reminding the reader that the prophet is appealing to the God who has bound Himself to His people through an everlasting covenant, a relationship that persists even through judgment and suffering.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **called (Hebrew, _qârâʼ'_):** From H7121, this primitive root signifies "to call out to," "to address by name," or "to cry unto." It's not merely uttering a sound but an intentional act of invoking, summoning, or appealing. In the context of prayer, it denotes a deliberate turning to God, often with urgency and desperation, acknowledging His presence and authority.
* **name (Hebrew, _shêm'_):** From H8034, this word refers to an appellation, a mark, or memorial of individuality, implying honor, authority, and character. To "call upon thy name" means to appeal to God based on who He is—His revealed character, His attributes, His power, and His covenant promises. It's an invocation of His very being, not just a label.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, this is the self-Existent or Eternal One, Jehovah, the Jewish national name of God. This is the Tetragrammaton (YHWH), God's personal, covenant name, emphasizing His unchanging faithfulness and His active presence in the history of His people. The prophet is not calling upon a generic deity but the specific, covenant-keeping God of Israel.
* **dungeon (Hebrew, _bôwr'_):** From H953, this term denotes a "pit hole," especially one used as a cistern or a prison. It conveys a sense of deep confinement, darkness, and often, a place of no escape or imminent death. Coupled with "low" (*tachtîy*, H8482, meaning "lowermost" or "depths"), it paints a vivid picture of the absolute nadir of human experience, whether literal imprisonment or profound spiritual and emotional despair.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I called upon thy name, O LORD":** This opening clause immediately establishes the act of prayer and its divine recipient. The prophet, in his personal anguish, directs his cry specifically to "the LORD" (Yahweh), invoking God's covenant character and authority. This is not a casual utterance but a deliberate, desperate appeal to the God who has revealed Himself and made promises to His people. It signifies an act of faith, believing that God's name carries power and that He is accessible even in the direst circumstances.
* **"out of the low dungeon":** This phrase powerfully describes the prophet's extreme state of distress and confinement. The "low dungeon" (Hebrew: *bôwr tachtîy*) serves as a potent metaphor for the deepest possible physical, emotional, or spiritual pit. It conveys a sense of being utterly trapped, isolated, and without hope from human perspective. The cry from such a place underscores the desperation of the petitioner and highlights the extraordinary nature of God's attentiveness to those in the most profound need.

#### Literary Devices
The verse makes powerful use of **Metaphor** and **Hyperbole**. The "low dungeon" is a central metaphor, vividly representing the prophet's extreme suffering, despair, or literal imprisonment. It is not merely a physical location but a symbolic representation of the absolute nadir of human experience, conveying a sense of being trapped, isolated, and without hope. This imagery is intensified by the implied **Hyperbole**, suggesting a suffering so profound that it pushes the boundaries of ordinary distress, emphasizing the depth of the prophet's agony. The act of "calling upon thy name" also contains elements of **Invocation**, a direct appeal to a divine being, emphasizing the personal and desperate nature of the prayer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 3:55 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of prayer and God's unwavering accessibility, even in the midst of profound suffering and divine judgment. It affirms that the covenant God, Yahweh, remains attentive to the cries of His people, regardless of the depth of their despair or the severity of their circumstances. This verse underscores the biblical truth that no human experience, however dark or confining, can sever the line of communication between a desperate soul and their sovereign Creator. It is a testament to the enduring hope found in God's character, even when all earthly hope has vanished, reminding believers that prayer is not merely a last resort but a powerful act of faith in a God who hears and responds.

* [Psalm 18:6](/psalm/18-6 "Psalm 18:6 - God Hears from His Temple"): "In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears."
* [Jonah 2:2](/jonah/2-2 "Jonah 2:2 - Jonah's Prayer from the Fish's Belly"): "And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice."
* [Psalm 34:17](/psalm/34-17 "Psalm 34:17 - The LORD Hears the Righteous"): "The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 3:55 offers a timeless and deeply comforting message for every believer navigating the "low dungeons" of life—whether they be periods of intense grief, chronic illness, financial ruin, relational brokenness, or spiritual desolation. It powerfully reminds us that our circumstances, no matter how dire or seemingly inescapable, do not dictate God's ability or willingness to hear our cries. The prophet's desperate appeal from the depths serves as a profound model of resilient faith: even when logic dictates despair, the heart can still turn to the LORD. This verse encourages us to pour out our hearts to God without reservation, trusting that His ear is always inclined toward the cries of His children. It affirms that prayer is our most potent lifeline, a direct conduit to divine power and comfort, transforming moments of utter helplessness into opportunities for God's miraculous intervention and presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "low dungeon" or profound challenge are you currently facing, and how does this verse encourage you to pray from that place?**
* **How does calling upon God's specific "name" (Yahweh) in your prayers deepen your trust in His character and promises?**
* **In what ways has God demonstrated His attentiveness to your cries, even when you felt most isolated or despairing?**
* **How can the prophet's perseverance in prayer, despite his extreme suffering, inspire your own prayer life?**

### FAQ
**What does "low dungeon" truly mean in this context, and is it a literal place?**

Answer: The "low dungeon" (`bôwr tachtîy` in Hebrew) refers literally to a deep pit, often a dry cistern used as a prison, or a muddy, inescapable hole. However, in [Lamentations 3:55](/lamentations/3-55 "Lamentations 3:55 - The Cry from the Low Dungeon"), it functions powerfully as a metaphor for the deepest possible state of distress, despair, and confinement—whether physical imprisonment, overwhelming grief, spiritual desolation, or a sense of utter abandonment. While Jeremiah may have experienced literal imprisonment (as he did in a cistern, as recounted in [Jeremiah 38:6](/jeremiah/38-6 "Jeremiah 38:6 - Jeremiah in the Cistern")), the phrase's primary theological impact is its vivid portrayal of an individual at the absolute nadir of human suffering, from which they nevertheless cry out to God. It emphasizes that no situation is too dark or too low for God's presence to penetrate and His ear to hear.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 3:55, with its poignant cry from the "low dungeon," finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The prophet's descent into the depths of suffering foreshadows the ultimate descent of the [Son of God, who humbled Himself](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humiliation") and entered the deepest "dungeon" of human experience: the cross, death, and the grave. Christ, the innocent Lamb, bore the full weight of humanity's sin and suffering, crying out to His Father in profound agony, even feeling abandoned ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). Yet, from that ultimate "low dungeon" of death, He called upon the name of the LORD, not for His own deliverance from the cross, but for the salvation of all who would believe. His resurrection from the grave ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Buried and Raised with Christ")) demonstrates God's ultimate answer to the cry from the lowest depths, proving that no pit is too deep for God's redemptive power. For the believer, Christ's experience transforms our "low dungeons" into places where we can confidently call upon the name of the LORD, knowing that our High Priest, who has [suffered in every way](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Christ Our Sympathetic High Priest"), intercedes for us ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")) and has already conquered the power of the grave, offering us hope, deliverance, and eternal life.

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

Acts 16:24

Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

Acts 16:28

But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

Psalms 18:5

The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.

Psalms 18:6

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears.

Jonah 2:2

And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, [and] thou heardest my voice.

Jonah 2:4

Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.

Psalms 130:1

¶ A Song of degrees. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.