Lamentations 3:56

Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.

Thou hast heard {H8085} my voice {H6963}: hide {H5956} not thine ear {H241} at my breathing {H7309}, at my cry {H7775}.

You heard my voice; don't close your ear at my sighs, at my cries.

You heard my plea: “Do not ignore my cry for relief.”

Thou heardest my voice; hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.

Commentary

Lamentations 3:56 KJV is a poignant plea from the prophet Jeremiah, traditionally the author of Lamentations, expressing his conviction that God hears his cries even in the depths of despair. It is a powerful affirmation of faith amidst severe suffering, a hallmark of the book of Lamentations.

Context

The Book of Lamentations is a collection of five poetic laments mourning the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple by the Babylonian army in 586 BC. It vividly portrays the horrific suffering of the people and the desolation of the city. Chapter 3, however, stands out as a personal lament of the prophet, yet one that speaks on behalf of the entire suffering nation. Despite the overwhelming grief and personal affliction described earlier in the chapter, Jeremiah shifts to a profound declaration of God's faithfulness and mercy, famously stating, "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed." This verse, Lamentations 3:56, comes after the prophet describes crying out to God "out of the low dungeon" (Lamentations 3:55), indicating a prayer offered from the most desperate circumstances.

Key Themes

  • Divine Attentiveness: The verse begins with a declaration of past experience: "Thou hast heard my voice." This is a foundational belief for the prophet, that God is not distant but actively listens to His people.
  • Persistent Prayer: Despite the previous affirmation, the plea "hide not thine ear" underscores the ongoing need for God's attention. It reflects a desperate, persistent, and unceasing form of prayer, even when hope seems dim.
  • Depth of Distress: The phrases "my breathing" and "my cry" convey the extreme anguish and desperation of the speaker. "Breathing" (Hebrew: revachah, meaning 'relief' or 'gasp for breath') suggests a deep groan or sigh, a prayer so profound it might be barely audible, reflecting a soul on the verge of collapse. "Cry" (Hebrew: shav'ah, meaning 'outcry' or 'plea for help') indicates a more overt, desperate appeal. Together, they show that God hears every form of human distress, from the silent groan to the loud appeal.
  • Hope Amidst Suffering: Even in the midst of lament, this verse subtly carries a note of hope. The very act of praying and believing God hears is an act of faith, affirming that God is capable and willing to intervene.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's translation of "breathing" is significant. The Hebrew word, related to concepts of 'breath' or 'relief,' here implies a deep, perhaps involuntary, expression of distress – a gasp, a groan, or a sigh that comes from the very core of one's being. It contrasts with "cry," which is a more conscious, vocal appeal. This highlights that God hears not only our articulate prayers but also our unspoken burdens and the deepest, most inarticulate groans of our spirit. This echoes the sentiment found elsewhere in scripture that the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26).

Practical Application

Lamentations 3:56 offers profound encouragement for believers facing overwhelming circumstances today. It reminds us:

  1. God Hears All Prayers: No matter how deep our despair, how weak our words, or how silent our groans, God hears. He is attentive to every form of human distress, from the most articulate petition to the barely audible sigh of a troubled heart.
  2. Persistence in Prayer is Vital: Even when it feels like God is silent or distant, we are called to continue crying out to Him. Jeremiah's example teaches us to persist in prayer, holding onto the truth that God is faithful and will respond in His perfect timing. "Continuing instant in prayer" (Romans 12:12) is a spiritual discipline that builds resilience.
  3. Faith Sustains Hope: The prophet's acknowledgment "Thou hast heard my voice" is a declaration of past faithfulness that fuels present hope. Remembering God's past interventions can strengthen our faith to believe He will act again.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that prayer is our lifeline to God, an assurance that He is always ready to lend an ear to the cries of His children, no matter how faint or desperate.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Job 34:28

    So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.

  • Psalms 55:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

  • Psalms 34:6

    This poor man cried, and the LORD heard [him], and saved him out of all his troubles.

  • Psalms 6:8

    ¶ Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.

  • Psalms 6:9

    The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.

  • Isaiah 38:5

    Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.

  • Romans 8:26

    ¶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
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