Lamentations 3:62

KJV

The lips of those that rose up against me, and their device against me all the day.

KJV (with Strong's)

The lips {H8193} of those that rose up {H6965} against me, and their device {H1902} against me all the day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the whispered murmurings of my foes against me all day long.

Berean Standard Bible

the slander and murmuring of my assailants against me all day long.

American Standard Version

The lips of those that rose up against me, and their device against me all the day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 3:62 captures the profound anguish of the lamenter, likely Jeremiah, as he recounts the ceaseless and malicious opposition he endured. This verse vividly portrays the relentless verbal assaults and calculated schemes orchestrated by his adversaries, emphasizing the constant nature of their hostility. It serves as a poignant cry from one overwhelmed by persistent persecution, highlighting the deep personal suffering embedded within the broader national catastrophe of Jerusalem's destruction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 3:62 is situated within the heart of the book of Lamentations, specifically in the central third chapter, which is a deeply personal lament. This chapter shifts from the communal mourning of chapters 1 and 2 to an individual's cry of despair and hope. The verses immediately preceding (Lamentations 3:55-61) describe the speaker's desperate plea to God from the depths of his affliction, recounting how God heard his voice and drew near. Verse 62 then provides further detail about the nature of the suffering, specifically the verbal and strategic attacks. The verses that follow (Lamentations 3:63-66) continue this plea for divine justice, asking God to repay the enemies for their evil deeds, thus framing verse 62 as part of an ongoing appeal for vindication.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Lamentations is a collection of dirges composed in the aftermath of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in 586 BC, and the subsequent exile of the Jewish people. This catastrophic event marked the end of the Davidic monarchy and the loss of national sovereignty, leading to immense suffering and theological crisis. While the book primarily expresses communal grief, chapter 3 is often attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, who prophesied during this tumultuous period. Jeremiah himself faced relentless persecution, including plots against his life, imprisonment, and slander, not only from foreign invaders but also from his own people who rejected his prophetic warnings (e.g., [Jeremiah 20:10](/jeremiah/20-10 "Jeremiah 20:10 - Jeremiah's Persecution")). Thus, Lamentations 3:62 reflects both the general suffering of the nation and the specific, personal agony of a prophet enduring constant hostility for speaking God's truth.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in Lamentations and the broader prophetic literature. It underscores the theme of **relentless opposition and suffering**, emphasizing the unceasing nature of the attacks through the phrase "all the day." It highlights the **destructive power of words**, portraying "the lips" as instruments of malice, a theme echoed in wisdom literature like [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - Power of Life and Death in the Tongue"). Furthermore, it reveals the **malicious intent and strategic plotting** of adversaries, as their "device" signifies calculated efforts to harm. Ultimately, by detailing these afflictions, the verse implicitly sets the stage for the speaker's plea for **divine justice and intervention**, a recurring motif throughout the psalms and prophetic books where the righteous suffer under the wicked (e.g., [Psalm 35:20-21](/psalm/35-20 "Psalm 35:20-21 - Malicious Speech of Enemies")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **lips (Hebrew, _sâphâh'_):** This word, H8193, refers to the physical lip, but by implication, it signifies language, speech, or the edge/border of something. In this context, "the lips of those that rose up against me" points directly to the verbal nature of the opposition. It emphasizes slander, mockery, false accusations, and hurtful words as instruments of attack, highlighting the destructive power of spoken communication.
* **rose up (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** H6965 is a primitive root meaning "to rise" or "to stand." It can refer to physical rising, but also to rising in opposition, establishing oneself against another, or stirring up trouble. Here, it denotes active, hostile opposition, suggesting that the enemies were not passive but actively, perhaps aggressively, confronting and challenging the lamenter.
* **device (Hebrew, _higgâyôwn'_):** H1902, derived from a root meaning "to murmur" or "meditate," refers to a sound, a meditation, or by implication, a machination or plot. Unlike a spontaneous outburst, a "device" implies a thought-out, deliberate plan or scheme. This word reveals the calculated and premeditated nature of the enemies' malice, indicating that their attacks were not random but part of a strategic effort to harm or undermine the speaker.
* **day (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** H3117 refers to a literal day, but also to a period of time, often used adverbially to mean "continually" or "always." The phrase "all the day" powerfully conveys the unceasing, relentless, and pervasive nature of the opposition. It was not an occasional skirmish but a constant, day-in and day-out barrage of hostility, underscoring the profound and exhausting burden borne by the lamenter.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The lips of those that rose up against me":** This clause immediately identifies the source and nature of the initial attack. "The lips" (H8193, _sâphâh_) metaphorically represent the words and speech of the adversaries. "Those that rose up against me" (H6965, _qûwm_) signifies active, hostile opposition, suggesting a deliberate stance taken by enemies. This points to verbal assaults—slander, false accusations, mockery, and verbal abuse—as a primary form of persecution against the lamenter.
* **"and their device against me all the day."** This second clause reveals the deeper, more insidious aspect of the opposition. "Their device" (H1902, _higgâyôwn_) refers to their malicious thoughts, plans, or schemes, indicating premeditated plotting rather than spontaneous acts. The phrase "all the day" (H3117, _yôwm_) emphasizes the relentless, unceasing, and pervasive nature of these attacks, highlighting that the lamenter faced constant, calculated hostility from morning till night, underscoring the profound burden of this sustained persecution.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 3:62 employs several potent literary devices to convey the depth of the speaker's suffering. **Synecdoche** is evident in "The lips of those that rose up against me," where "lips" stand in for the entire person or, more specifically, their speech and verbal actions. This emphasizes the destructive power of words as weapons. The phrase "all the day" is a form of **hyperbole**, exaggerating the duration of the attacks to convey their continuous and relentless nature, suggesting an unending barrage of hostility that leaves no respite. Furthermore, the verse uses powerful **imagery** of rising opposition and insidious plotting, painting a vivid picture of a besieged individual facing both overt verbal assaults and covert, malicious schemes. The combination of these devices effectively communicates the overwhelming and pervasive nature of the lamenter's persecution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 3:62 resonates deeply with the broader biblical narrative of righteous suffering and divine justice. It highlights the reality that those who stand for truth, particularly prophets and faithful individuals, often face intense and relentless opposition, not just physically but through the insidious power of words and malicious plotting. The lamenter's cry underscores the human experience of feeling overwhelmed by constant hostility, yet within the context of Lamentations, this lament is ultimately directed towards God, implicitly appealing for His intervention and vindication. It reminds us that God is fully aware of every whispered slander and every calculated scheme, and that His justice will ultimately prevail, even when human suffering seems endless. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the trials faced by the faithful and the importance of turning to God in the midst of adversity, trusting in His ultimate sovereignty over all human machinations.

* [Psalm 35:20](/psalm/35-20 "Malicious Speech of Enemies")
* [Psalm 55:21](/psalm/55-21 "Treachery of a Friend")
* [Jeremiah 20:7-10](/jeremiah/20-7 "Jeremiah's Complaint and Persecution")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 3:62 offers a profound mirror for anyone experiencing sustained opposition, slander, or malicious intent. It validates the deep pain inflicted by verbal attacks and calculated schemes, reminding us that such experiences are not new but a part of the human, and often the faithful, journey. In a world saturated with digital communication, the "lips" of adversaries can manifest as online slander, gossip, or targeted campaigns, making the "device against me all the day" feel acutely relevant. This verse calls us to acknowledge the reality of such spiritual warfare and human malice, but also to remember that our lament, like the prophet's, can and should be directed to God. It encourages us to cultivate resilience, to guard our own tongues, and to trust that even when the opposition feels relentless, God sees, hears, and will ultimately bring justice. Our response to such trials is not to retaliate in kind, but to lean into divine sovereignty, finding comfort in the knowledge that our suffering is not unseen by the One who cares deeply for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do "the lips of those that rose up against me" manifest in my life or in the world today?**
* **What "devices" or malicious plans have I experienced or witnessed, and how did I respond?**
* **How does the phrase "all the day" resonate with my own experiences of persistent struggle or opposition?**
* **In what ways can I turn my lament over such experiences into a trustful appeal to God for justice and comfort?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "all the day" in Lamentations 3:62?**

Answer: The phrase "all the day" (H3117, _yôwm_) is highly significant because it emphasizes the relentless and unceasing nature of the opposition faced by the lamenter. It signifies that the verbal attacks and malicious plots were not occasional or sporadic events, but a constant, pervasive, and exhausting barrage of hostility that continued without respite. This highlights the profound depth of the suffering and the overwhelming burden placed upon the speaker, underscoring the severity of the persecution he endured, much like the constant harassment described in [Psalm 38:12](/psalm/38-12 "Enemies Seeking Life").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 3:62 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied the suffering of the righteous one facing relentless and malicious opposition. While the lamenter in this verse cried out under the burden of constant verbal assaults and insidious plots, Jesus experienced this persecution to an unparalleled degree. From the persistent accusations of the Pharisees and Sadducees, whose "lips" continually twisted His words and sought to entrap Him ([Matthew 22:15](/matthew/22-15 "Pharisees Plot to Entrap Jesus")), to the calculated "devices" of those who conspired to kill Him ([John 11:53](/john/11-53 "Council Plots to Kill Jesus")), Jesus endured opposition "all the day" of His earthly ministry. He was slandered as a glutton and a drunkard ([Matthew 11:19](/matthew/11-19 "Jesus Accused of Gluttony")), accused of blasphemy ([Mark 2:7](/mark/2-7 "Jesus Accused of Blasphemy")), and ultimately condemned by false witnesses ([Matthew 26:59-60](/matthew/26-59 "False Witnesses Against Jesus")). His suffering, far from being an isolated incident, was a continuous experience of being "despised and rejected by men" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "He Was Despised and Rejected")). Yet, unlike the lamenter who cried out for justice, Jesus, in His suffering, prayed for His persecutors ([Luke 23:34](/luke/23-34 "Jesus Prays for His Executioners")), offering forgiveness and demonstrating the ultimate triumph of love over malice. His endurance of "the lips of those that rose up against me, and their device against me all the day" culminates in His redemptive work on the cross, where He bore the full weight of sin and opposition, providing salvation and a pathway for all who suffer to find solace and vindication in Him ([Hebrews 4:15-16](/hebrews/4-15 "Jesus, Our High Priest Who Understands Our Weaknesses")).

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

Ezekiel 36:3

Therefore prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because they have made [you] desolate, and swallowed you up on every side, that ye might be a possession unto the residue of the heathen, and ye are taken up in the lips of talkers, and [are] an infamy of the people:

Psalms 140:3

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison [is] under their lips. Selah.

Psalms 59:12

[For] the sin of their mouth [and] the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying [which] they speak.

Psalms 59:7

Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords [are] in their lips: for who, [say they], doth hear?

Jeremiah 18:18

¶ Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.