Lamentations 3:57

Thou drewest near in the day [that] I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.

Thou drewest near {H7126} in the day {H3117} that I called {H7121} upon thee: thou saidst {H559}, Fear {H3372} not.

You came near when I called to you; you said, "Don't be afraid."

You drew near when I called on You; You said, โ€œDo not be afraid.โ€

Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee; thou saidst, Fear not.

Commentary

Context

Lamentations 3:57 is a poignant declaration of faith found within the book of Lamentations, a collection of poetic laments attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. This book expresses deep sorrow and grief over the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of the Jewish people at the hands of the Babylonians in 586 BC. While much of the book is filled with expressions of despair and the consequences of sin, Chapter 3 marks a significant turning point. After detailing profound personal and national suffering, the prophet shifts to an affirmation of God's faithfulness, mercy, and compassion, even amidst dire circumstances. This verse specifically highlights a moment of divine intervention and comfort experienced by the speaker in the midst of their distress, serving as a beacon of hope.

Key Themes

  • Divine Responsiveness: The verse powerfully asserts that God is not distant or indifferent to human suffering. The phrase "Thou drewest near" emphasizes God's active engagement and proximity to those who earnestly seek Him, particularly in their moments of greatest need. It underscores the belief that God hears and responds to the cries of His people.
  • Assurance and Comfort: God's declaration, "Fear not," is a profound message of comfort and peace. This divine utterance is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, signifying God's protective presence, His control over circumstances, and His promise to uphold or deliver His servants. It directly addresses the natural human response of fear in the face of overwhelming adversity.
  • The Power of Prayer: The verse highlights the direct link between human supplication and divine action. "In the day that I called upon thee" confirms that crying out to God in prayer is not in vain; it precedes and elicits God's drawing near and offering reassurance. This illustrates the efficacy of prayer as a means of connecting with and experiencing God's intervention. This verse beautifully illustrates the power of prayer and God's readiness to respond to those who cry out to Him.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "drewest near" is qarab (ืงึธืจึทื‘), which means "to approach," "to come near," or "to draw close." It implies not just physical proximity but also an active engagement or entering into relationship. This isn't a passive nearness but an intentional movement towards the one calling. The phrase "Fear not" is a direct translation of the Hebrew al-tira (ืึทืœึพืชึผึดื™ืจึธื), a strong imperative often used by God or His angelic messengers to dispel human fear and instill confidence, often coupled with a promise of help or presence. The phrase 'Fear not' is a consistent divine assurance found throughout Scripture, echoing promises like those in Isaiah 41:10, where God promises to strengthen and help His people.

Practical Application

Lamentations 3:57 offers immense encouragement for believers facing personal trials or collective distress today. It serves as a powerful reminder that:

  1. God is Accessible: No matter how deep the despair or how overwhelming the circumstances, God is always within reach. He desires to draw near to those who seek Him.
  2. Prayer is Effective: Our cries to God are heard. This verse validates the act of prayer as a vital and effective means of connecting with divine comfort and intervention.
  3. Divine Comfort is Real: Even when circumstances don't immediately change, God's presence and His assurance of "Fear not" can bring profound peace and strength to endure. It invites us to trust in His sovereignty and care even amidst the unknown.

This verse provides a timeless message of hope: in our darkest moments, when we call upon the Lord, He draws near and speaks peace to our hearts, dispelling our fears with His comforting presence.

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

  • Isaiah 41:10

    ยถ Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

  • James 4:8

    Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.

  • Isaiah 58:9

    Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I [am]. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

  • Revelation 2:10

    Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

  • Isaiah 41:14

    Fear not, thou worm Jacob, [and] ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

  • Isaiah 43:1

    ยถ But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called [thee] by thy name; thou [art] mine.

  • Isaiah 43:2

    When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
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