Lamentations 3:61

KJV

Thou hast heard their reproach, O LORD, [and] all their imaginations against me;

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou hast heard {H8085} their reproach {H2781}, O LORD {H3068}, and all their imaginations {H4284} against me;

Complete Jewish Bible

You have heard their taunts, ADONAI, and all their plots against me,

Berean Standard Bible

O LORD, You have heard their insults, all their plots against me—

American Standard Version

Thou hast heard their reproach, O Jehovah, and all their devices against me,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 3:61 articulates a profound declaration of faith in God's perfect knowledge, as the suffering speaker, likely Jeremiah, lays bare before the Almighty the full extent of his adversaries' hostility. It is a poignant cry acknowledging that the LORD is intimately aware of both the public scorn and the hidden malicious plots devised against the faithful, serving as a foundational plea for divine intervention based on God's comprehensive and discerning awareness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the deeply personal "Lament of the Man" in Lamentations 3, a unique acrostic chapter where each of the 22 Hebrew letters begins three consecutive lines (verses 1-66). The chapter begins with a profound expression of personal and national suffering (verses 1-44), detailing the speaker's anguish under God's hand. However, a pivotal shift occurs around verses 45-57, moving from despair to a remembrance of God's steadfast love and faithfulness, culminating in a declaration of hope and God's past deliverance from the "pit" (verses 55-58). Following this remembrance of God's saving acts, verses 59-66 transition into a direct and fervent appeal for divine justice and retribution against the enemies. Verse 61 specifically grounds this appeal in the foundational truth that God has already heard and knows the full scope of the adversaries' malice, setting the stage for the subsequent petitions for judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Lamentations was composed in the immediate aftermath of the devastating Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC, an event that brought about the destruction of the Temple, the collapse of the Davidic monarchy, and the exile of Judah's population. In this catastrophic environment, the "reproach" (Hebrew: *cherpâh*) mentioned in the verse would have been a palpable reality. It refers to the public humiliation, scorn, and mockery heaped upon the defeated Israelites by surrounding nations and even by those within the surviving community who might have gloated over their downfall. The "imaginations" (Hebrew: *machăshâbâh*) speak to the deeper, insidious malicious schemes and plots of adversaries, whether foreign powers consolidating their control or internal factions seeking to exploit the chaos. The speaker, widely believed to be the prophet Jeremiah, embodies the collective suffering of the nation, pouring out their grief and appealing to their covenant God, [YHWH, the LORD](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - God's Self-Revelation as 'I AM'"), for vindication in a world where human justice had utterly failed.
* **Key Themes:** Lamentations 3:61 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphatically underscores **God's Omniscience and Omnipresence**, asserting that no act of human malice, whether public or private, escapes His notice. This resonates deeply with the biblical understanding of God's all-encompassing knowledge, as seen in passages like [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalms/139-1-4 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's Omniscience and Presence") which describe God's intimate awareness of every thought and path. Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **Suffering and Reproach**, particularly the profound emotional and psychological pain inflicted by verbal abuse and insidious plotting, a common experience for the righteous throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Psalm 69:9-10](/psalms/69-9-10 "Psalm 69:9-10 - Reproach for God's Sake")). Thirdly, it functions as a potent **Appeal to Divine Justice**, implicitly trusting that God's perfect knowledge will inevitably lead to righteous judgment and intervention against the wicked, a plea frequently echoed throughout the Psalter (e.g., [Psalm 35:1-3](/psalms/35-1-3 "Psalm 35:1-3 - A Prayer for Deliverance and Justice")). Finally, it reflects a deep **Trust in God's Awareness as a Basis for Hope**, even amidst profound despair, suggesting that God's knowledge is the prerequisite for His eventual vindication and deliverance of His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **heard (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** (H8085) A primitive root meaning to hear intelligently, often implying attention, understanding, and even obedience. In this context, it emphasizes that the LORD has not merely perceived a sound, but has fully comprehended the nature and malicious intent behind the "reproach" and "imaginations." It suggests an active, discerning hearing on God's part, which is foundational to the speaker's plea for justice and implies a full grasp of the situation.
* **reproach (Hebrew, _cherpâh'_):** (H2781) From the root חָרַף, this term denotes contumely, disgrace, scorn, or shame. It refers to the public, verbal abuse and humiliation inflicted upon the speaker and the suffering nation. It captures the essence of being mocked, ridiculed, and held in contempt by adversaries, highlighting the deeply personal and public nature of the suffering experienced by the people of God.
* **imaginations (Hebrew, _machăshâbâh'_):** (H4284) From the root חָשַׁב, this word refers to a contrivance, intention, plan, or device, encompassing both good and bad thoughts. Here, in a negative context, it specifically points to malicious plots, schemes, and evil designs concocted by the enemies. It reveals that the adversaries' hostility was not merely spontaneous but premeditated and strategically planned, adding another layer of wickedness and calculated malice to their actions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou hast heard their reproach, O LORD,"**: This initial clause establishes a direct and intimate address to God, using His covenant name, "O LORD" (YHWH), and asserts His comprehensive awareness. The phrase "Thou hast heard" (using the perfect tense in Hebrew) indicates a settled and completed fact – God has already taken full notice of the public scorn, mockery, and verbal abuse ("reproach") inflicted by the adversaries. This is not a request for God to hear, but a confident declaration that He *has* heard and fully understood, implying His perfect knowledge of the speaker's plight and the enemies' overt actions.
* **"and all their imaginations against me;"**: This second clause expands significantly on the scope of God's knowledge, encompassing not only the outward expressions of hostility ("reproach") but also the hidden, insidious intentions and malicious schemes ("imaginations") devised by the enemies. The word "all" emphasizes the totality and completeness of God's awareness, leaving nothing concealed from Him. The concluding phrase "against me" intensely personalizes the attack, reinforcing the speaker's direct experience of this plotted malice and making it a plea for individual as well as national vindication.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 3:61 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Direct Address** to "O LORD," which immediately establishes a personal and intimate appeal to God, underscoring the speaker's profound reliance on divine intervention and justice. The verse also utilizes a subtle form of **Parallelism**, juxtaposing the public "reproach" with the hidden "imaginations." While not perfectly synonymous, this pairing creates a cumulative effect, highlighting the pervasive and comprehensive nature of the adversaries' malice, affecting both the speaker's reputation and their very safety. The phrase "Thou hast heard" functions as a powerful **Assertion** rather than a mere plea, conveying a deep and unwavering **Trust** in God's omniscience and prior knowledge. This assertion serves as the foundational premise for the subsequent appeals for divine justice in the verses that follow, transforming a statement of fact into a potent rhetorical basis for God's righteous action.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates the foundational biblical truth of God's perfect knowledge and His attentive awareness of the suffering of His people, particularly when they are afflicted by the malice of others. It underscores the theological concept of divine omniscience, affirming that nothing, whether an overt act of scorn or a hidden, malevolent plot, escapes the LORD's discerning notice. This understanding provides immense comfort and a firm basis for hope for those who are persecuted or unjustly treated, reinforcing the belief that God is neither distant nor indifferent to injustice. The speaker's confident declaration that God "has heard" serves as an implicit yet potent appeal for divine justice, trusting that God's perfect knowledge will inevitably lead to His righteous intervention and the ultimate vindication of the oppressed.

* [Psalm 94:7-9](/psalms/94-7-9 "Psalm 94:7-9 - God Sees and Hears All")
* [Proverbs 15:3](/proverbs/15-3 "Proverbs 15:3 - The Eyes of the LORD Are Everywhere")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Open Before God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world where injustice often seems to prevail and malicious intent can remain hidden, Lamentations 3:61 offers profound solace and a robust framework for spiritual resilience. When we face public scorn, unfair criticism, or the insidious plotting of others, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that we do not suffer alone or unnoticed. The LORD, the sovereign God of the universe, is intimately aware of every word spoken against us and every scheme devised in secret. This deep and comforting knowledge empowers us to release the heavy burden of needing to defend ourselves or exact revenge, instead entrusting our cause to the One who sees all, judges righteously, and acts in perfect timing. It calls us to a posture of humble yet confident prayerful transparency, laying our hurts, our frustrations, and the wrongs done against us before God, confident that His perfect awareness is the unshakeable foundation for His eventual and just intervention in our lives and in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does knowing that God "has heard" and knows "all their imaginations" impact your perspective when you feel wronged, misunderstood, or targeted by others?**
* **In what specific ways might trusting God's omniscience free you from the need for immediate vindication, self-defense, or retaliation in difficult situations?**
* **What particular "reproaches" or "imaginations" are you currently facing that you need to lay before the LORD, confident in His perfect awareness?**

### FAQ
**Does Lamentations 3:61 imply that God will always intervene immediately to stop injustice?**

Answer: While Lamentations 3:61 powerfully affirms God's perfect knowledge of all injustice and malicious intent, it does not necessarily imply immediate intervention in every instance. The verse is a declaration that God *has heard* and *knows*, which is a foundational truth for the speaker's subsequent appeals for justice (e.g., [Lamentations 3:64-66](/lamentations/3-64-66 "Lamentations 3:64-66 - A Prayer for Retribution")). The timing and method of God's intervention are always according to His sovereign will and perfect wisdom, which often transcends human expectations. Often, God's awareness serves as the basis for His people's endurance and trust, knowing that ultimate justice will prevail, whether in this life or the next. The biblical narrative is replete with examples of God's people enduring suffering for a time, even as God remains fully aware and ultimately brings about His purposes (e.g., [Psalm 13:1-2](/psalms/13-1-2 "Psalm 13:1-2 - A Cry of Lament and Trust")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 3:61 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The suffering speaker, often identified with Jeremiah, prefigures the ultimate suffering Servant, Jesus, who endured not only the public "reproach" of a hostile world but also the hidden "imaginations" and insidious plots of those who sought His destruction. From the calculated schemes of the Sanhedrin to the betrayal by Judas Iscariot, Jesus was fully aware of the malicious intent against Him, yet He willingly submitted to it for the sake of humanity's redemption (e.g., [Matthew 26:3-4](/matthew/26-3-4 "Matthew 26:3-4 - The Plot Against Jesus")). Like the speaker in Lamentations, Jesus laid His cause before His Father, trusting in divine justice even as He bore the ultimate injustice on the cross. His cry from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" ([Luke 23:34](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Jesus' Prayer for His Persecutors")), demonstrates a profound awareness of both their actions and their spiritual blindness. Moreover, the resurrection of Christ is God's ultimate vindication, demonstrating that the "reproach" and "imaginations" of His enemies were ultimately powerless against God's sovereign and redemptive plan. Through Christ, believers are assured that their own sufferings and the injustices they face are known to a God who has already triumphed over sin, death, and evil, promising ultimate justice and eternal vindication for all who are found in Him (e.g., [Romans 8:31-39](/romans/8-31-39 "Romans 8:31-39 - God is For Us Through Christ")).

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

Lamentations 5:1

¶ Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach.

Zephaniah 2:8

¶ I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified [themselves] against their border.

Psalms 74:18

¶ Remember this, [that] the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and [that] the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.

Psalms 89:50

Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; [how] I do bear in my bosom [the reproach of] all the mighty people;

Lamentations 3:30

He giveth [his] cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.