


Lamentations 3:59
Bible Versions
O LORD, thou hast seen my wrong: judge thou my cause.
ADONAI, you see how I have been wronged; give judgment in my favor!
You have seen, O LORD, the wrong done to me; vindicate my cause!
O Jehovah, thou hast seen my wrong; judge thou my cause.
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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.
Lamentations 3:59 (KJV) is a poignant cry from the heart of a suffering individual, likely representing the prophet Jeremiah or the people of Judah, devastated by the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. This verse encapsulates a plea for divine justice amidst profound hardship.
Context
The Book of Lamentations expresses deep sorrow and grief over the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC and the subsequent exile of its people. Chapter 3, from which this verse is taken, is unique for its personal lament, often attributed to Jeremiah, who endured immense suffering alongside his people. Despite the overwhelming despair, this chapter also contains moments of hope and faith in God's enduring mercy, as seen in Lamentations 3:21-23. The speaker in verse 59 is not confessing personal sin but rather appealing to God concerning the injustices and wrongs inflicted upon them by others.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The word "wrong" in "thou hast seen my wrong" comes from the Hebrew word ra'ah (רָעָה), which can mean evil, calamity, or distress. In this context, it refers specifically to the injustice, affliction, or harm done to the speaker. The phrase "judge thou my cause" translates the Hebrew shof'tah mish'pati (שָׁפְטָה מִשְׁפָּטִי), which is a strong legal appeal. Shof'tah (from shaphat) means to judge, govern, or vindicate, while mish'pati (from mishpat) refers to a judgment, a legal case, or justice. Together, they form a desperate cry for God to intervene and provide a just verdict in their behalf, much like the psalmist's plea in Psalm 43:1, "Judge me, O God, and plead my cause."
Practical Application
Lamentations 3:59 offers profound encouragement for anyone experiencing injustice or feeling wronged. It teaches us several vital truths:
This verse serves as a powerful reminder that in our darkest moments of injustice, we can confidently appeal to the sovereign Lord, who sees all and judges righteously.