Lamentations 3:59

KJV

O LORD, thou hast seen my wrong: judge thou my cause.

KJV (with Strong's)

O LORD {H3068}, thou hast seen {H7200} my wrong {H5792}: judge {H8199} thou my cause {H4941}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI, you see how I have been wronged; give judgment in my favor!

Berean Standard Bible

You have seen, O LORD, the wrong done to me; vindicate my cause!

American Standard Version

O Jehovah, thou hast seen my wrong; judge thou my cause.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 3:59 is a deeply personal and profound cry for divine justice from a suffering individual, likely representing the prophet Jeremiah or the devastated people of Judah in the aftermath of Jerusalem's destruction. It expresses an unwavering conviction in God's omniscience—that He has witnessed the injustice and oppression inflicted—and a fervent appeal for Him to intervene as the ultimate righteous Judge, vindicating the wronged and setting right their cause. This verse encapsulates a desperate yet hopeful turning to God amidst profound hardship and systemic failure of human justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 3:59 is situated within the unique third chapter of the Book of Lamentations, which stands out for its individual lament amidst the communal grief over Jerusalem's destruction in 586 BC. While the surrounding chapters mourn the city's fall and its inhabitants' suffering, Chapter 3 adopts a more personal "I" perspective, often attributed to Jeremiah, who experienced profound personal affliction alongside his people. This specific verse follows a series of verses (Lamentations 3:55-58) where the speaker recounts being called upon the Lord's name from the "low dungeon," acknowledging God's hearing of their voice, and remembering God's drawing near to redeem their life. Verse 59, therefore, is not a sudden outburst but a continuation of a sustained, trust-filled appeal to God, moving from God's awareness and past intervention to a direct plea for judicial action.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Lamentations is a direct response to the catastrophic events of the Babylonian siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, followed by the exile of the Judean elite. This period was marked by immense physical suffering, loss of national identity, and profound theological crisis as the temple, the dwelling place of God, lay in ruins. In ancient Israelite society, justice was ideally dispensed through elders at the city gate or through the king. However, in times of national collapse and foreign oppression, these human systems often failed, leaving the wronged with no recourse. The cultural understanding of God as the supreme Judge, who hears the cries of the oppressed and intervenes on behalf of the vulnerable (as seen in [Exodus 22:22-23](/exodus/22-22 "Exodus 22:22-23 - God Hears the Cry of the Oppressed")), was deeply ingrained. Thus, the plea in Lamentations 3:59 reflects a desperate but theologically grounded appeal to the only remaining authority capable of rendering true justice.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Lamentations and the broader biblical narrative. The most prominent is **Divine Justice and Vindication**, asserting God's role as the ultimate arbiter who will right wrongs when human systems fail. The speaker's declaration, "O LORD, thou hast seen my wrong," underscores the theme of **God's Omniscience and Awareness of Suffering**, emphasizing that no injustice or hidden pain escapes His perfect sight. This echoes the divine assurance found in [Exodus 3:7](/exodus/3-7 "Exodus 3:7 - God Sees Affliction"), where God declares He has "surely seen the affliction of my people." Furthermore, the plea "judge thou my cause" highlights a deep **Trust in God's Sovereignty and Righteousness**, even amidst overwhelming despair. It reflects the theological conviction that God is the righteous judge of all the earth, as questioned and affirmed in [Genesis 18:25](/genesis/18-25 "Genesis 18:25 - Shall Not the Judge of All the Earth Do Right?"), and that His judgment is the final and perfect standard.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, "the self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God." This is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, unchanging nature and His faithfulness to His promises. Addressing God by this name signifies a plea rooted in the covenant relationship, appealing to His character as the one who is always present and true.
* **wrong (Hebrew, _ʻavvâthâh'_):** From H5792, meaning "oppression; wrong." This word denotes a perversion of justice, an act of injustice or crookedness, or something that is twisted or made perverse. It refers specifically to the harm, injustice, or affliction inflicted *upon* the speaker, not necessarily their own sin. The speaker asserts that God has not merely observed an event but has "seen" the specific "wrong" or oppression they have endured.
* **cause (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** From H4941, meaning "properly, a verdict... pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree... abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege." This term is rich in legal connotations, referring to a legal case, a judgment, a right, or a just claim. The speaker is not asking for arbitrary intervention but for a judicial process, for God to act as a judge in their specific legal "case" or "dispute," ensuring their rights are upheld and justice is served.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O LORD, thou hast seen my wrong":** This opening clause is a declaration of faith in God's omniscience and active awareness. The speaker asserts that God, the covenant LORD, has not merely observed but has intimately "seen" (H7200, _râʼâh'_) the specific "wrong" or oppression (H5792, _ʻavvâthâh'_) inflicted upon them. This is a foundational premise for the subsequent plea, implying that God's seeing necessitates His action. It's a confident affirmation that their suffering is known to the highest authority.
* **"judge thou my cause":** This is the direct, urgent petition. Building on the premise that God has seen the injustice, the speaker now appeals for divine intervention in a judicial capacity. "Judge" (H8199, _shâphaṭ'_) here means to pronounce sentence, to vindicate, or to govern. "My cause" (H4941, _mishpâṭ'_) refers to their legal dispute or claim for justice. The plea is for God to act as the supreme Judge, to step into their legal battle, and to render a righteous verdict on their behalf, thereby vindicating them and setting things right.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Apostrophe** is prominently featured as the speaker directly addresses "O LORD," indicating a personal, intimate, and urgent appeal to God. This direct address underscores the speaker's reliance on divine intervention when all other avenues for justice have failed. The verse functions as a **Plea** or **Supplication**, a direct and desperate cry for God's judicial action. This is a common form in laments and psalms, where the suffering individual lays their grievance before God. There is also a subtle form of **Synthetic Parallelism** at play: the first clause ("thou hast seen my wrong") establishes the premise—God's awareness—and the second clause ("judge thou my cause") presents the logical consequence and petition—God's action based on that awareness. The two clauses build upon each other, creating a coherent and compelling appeal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 3:59 articulates a profound theological truth: God is not a distant, unaware deity but an intimately involved, righteous Judge who sees every injustice and hears every cry. This verse grounds the hope of the oppressed in God's character, asserting that His perfect knowledge of wrong inevitably leads to His just intervention. It affirms that even when human systems of justice are corrupted or fail entirely, there remains a divine court where the wronged can confidently present their "cause." This confidence allows the suffering to release the burden of personal retribution and instead trust in the ultimate, unfailing vindication that only God can provide, thereby fostering resilience and hope in the midst of despair.

* [Psalm 43:1](/psalms/43-1 "Psalm 43:1 - Judge Me, O God, and Plead My Cause")
* [Psalm 7:8](/psalms/7-8 "Psalm 7:8 - The LORD Shall Judge the People")
* [Exodus 3:7](/exodus/3-7 "Exodus 3:7 - God Sees the Affliction of His People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 3:59 offers a timeless model for those who experience injustice, betrayal, or oppression. It reminds us that our suffering is never unseen by God. In moments when we feel utterly wronged, when human systems of justice fail, or when our voice seems unheard, this verse grants us permission and provides a pathway to bring our deepest grievances directly to the Lord. It encourages us to lay our "cause" before Him, not with a spirit of revenge, but with a confident trust in His perfect character as the righteous Judge. This act of entrusting our wrongs to God frees us from the consuming burden of bitterness and retaliation, allowing us to find peace in the assurance that He will ultimately set all things right, in His perfect timing and according to His divine wisdom. It cultivates a posture of patient endurance and faith, knowing that divine vindication is certain, even if it is not immediate.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or the world around me do I perceive "wrong" or injustice that I need to bring before the Lord?**
* **How does the belief that "God has seen my wrong" change my perspective on current suffering or past hurts?**
* **What does it mean practically to "judge thou my cause" in my prayer life, and how can I release my desire for personal retribution to God's perfect justice?**

### FAQ

**Does "my wrong" refer to the speaker's sin or the injustice done to them?**

Answer: In the context of Lamentations 3:59, "my wrong" (Hebrew: `ʻavvâthâh`) refers to the injustice, oppression, or perversion of justice inflicted *upon* the speaker by others, not their own personal sin. The speaker is appealing to God as a victim of wrongdoing, seeking vindication for the harm they have endured. This is consistent with the broader theme of Lamentations, which mourns the devastation of Jerusalem and the suffering of its people at the hands of their enemies. The plea is for God to act as a righteous judge in a legal sense, addressing the "cause" or legal dispute where the speaker is the wronged party.

**How can I reconcile this plea for judgment with God's mercy and grace?**

Answer: The plea for judgment in Lamentations 3:59 is not antithetical to God's mercy and grace; rather, it is an appeal to another facet of His perfect character: His righteousness and justice. God's mercy is extended to the repentant, but His justice ensures that all wrongs are ultimately addressed. For the oppressed, God's justice *is* their mercy, as it promises vindication and an end to their suffering. The Bible consistently portrays God as both merciful and just, a God who "loves righteousness and justice" ([Psalm 33:5](/psalms/33-5 "Psalm 33:5 - The LORD Loves Righteousness and Justice")). The plea acknowledges God's comprehensive nature, trusting that His judgment will be perfectly aligned with His merciful and righteous will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 3:59 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the original plea is for divine vindication against earthly oppressors, Christ embodies the perfect fulfillment of both the "wrong" endured and the "cause" judged. Jesus, the sinless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), suffered the ultimate "wrong" and injustice at the hands of humanity, enduring false accusations, betrayal, and a brutal crucifixion, yet He "committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth; and when he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly" ([1 Peter 2:22-23](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22-23 - Christ's Example of Suffering Righteously")). His silent suffering and trust in the Father's judgment perfectly model the spirit of Lamentations 3:59. Furthermore, Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the ultimate Judge of all humanity ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Has Given All Judgment to the Son"), [Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God Has Appointed a Day to Judge the World by Jesus")). Believers, who often suffer injustice in this world, can confidently bring their "cause" before Christ, knowing that He, having experienced ultimate injustice, fully understands and will perfectly execute justice. In Him, all wrongs will be made right, and His followers will ultimately be vindicated, not by their own merit, but by His righteous advocacy and the final, just judgment He brings.

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

Psalms 43:1

¶ Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.

1 Peter 2:23

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously:

Psalms 35:1

¶ [A Psalm] of David. Plead [my cause], O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.

Genesis 31:42

Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked [thee] yesternight.

Psalms 9:4

For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.

Psalms 26:1

¶ [A Psalm] of David. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; [therefore] I shall not slide.

Psalms 35:23

Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, [even] unto my cause, my God and my Lord.