3:58 3:58

Lamentations 3:59

3:60 3:60

Bible Versions

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

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

  • Divine Justice and Vindication: The primary plea is for God to act as the supreme arbiter. The speaker is not seeking personal revenge but a righteous judgment from the Almighty.
  • God's Omniscience: The declaration, "O LORD, thou hast seen my wrong," affirms an unwavering belief in God's perfect awareness of all circumstances, including hidden injustices and the suffering of His people. This echoes the sentiment found in Exodus 3:7, where God declares He has "surely seen the affliction of my people."
  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: Even in the depths of despair, the speaker turns to God as the ultimate authority, capable of righting wrongs when human systems fail. This reflects a deep theological conviction that God is the righteous judge of all the earth (Genesis 18:25).

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:

  1. God Sees Our Suffering: No wrong done to us goes unnoticed by God. He is fully aware of our pain and the injustices we face, even when others are not.
  2. We Can Bring Our Grievances to Him: This verse provides a biblical model for prayer when we are victims of injustice. We are invited to lay our "cause" before the Lord, trusting in His righteous character.
  3. He is the Ultimate Judge: While human justice systems may fail, God's justice is perfect and unfailing. We can rest in the assurance that He will ultimately set all things right in His time. This confidence allows us to release the burden of seeking personal retribution and instead trust in divine vindication.

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.

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.

  • 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.
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