Lamentations 3:63

KJV

Behold their sitting down, and their rising up; I [am] their musick.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold {H5027} their sitting down {H3427}, and their rising up {H7012}; I am their musick {H4485}.

Complete Jewish Bible

See how, whether they sit or stand, I am the butt of their taunts.

Berean Standard Bible

When they sit and when they rise, see how they mock me in song.

American Standard Version

Behold thou their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their song.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 3:63 captures the profound anguish of the prophet, likely Jeremiah, or the collective suffering of Judah, as they endure relentless scrutiny and mocking derision from their adversaries. This verse, embedded within a deeply personal lament, vividly portrays the enemies' pervasive observation of every aspect of their lives, transforming the sufferers' humiliation into a source of cruel entertainment. It serves as a poignant cry for divine witness and intervention against the pervasive scorn and injustice inflicted upon God's people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 3:63 is situated within the intensely personal lament of Chapter 3, often considered the theological and emotional core of the book. Following a profound expression of hope in God's steadfast love and mercies in [Lamentations 3:22-24](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22-24 - God's Mercies Never Cease"), the prophet's focus shifts back to the overwhelming reality of his (and his people's) suffering at the hands of their enemies. Verses 55-66 constitute a fervent prayer for deliverance and divine retribution against these oppressors. Within this section, verse 63 specifically highlights the pervasive nature of the enemies' scorn, serving as a descriptive plea to God to "behold" the extent of their torment before the final petition for judgment in [Lamentations 3:64-66](/lamentations/3-64 "Lamentations 3:64-66 - Prayer for Divine Retribution").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Lamentations mourns the devastating aftermath of the Babylonian siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. This cataclysmic event, which included the razing of the Temple and the exile of the Judean population, left the survivors in a state of profound national and personal trauma. The enemies referenced in this verse are likely the Babylonians, or perhaps even neighboring peoples who gloated over Judah's downfall, viewing it as a sign of their gods' superiority or Judah's God's abandonment. In ancient Near Eastern culture, public humiliation and mockery were potent tools of subjugation, designed to break the spirit of a conquered people. To be made "their music" was not merely an insult but a deep societal disgrace, a public spectacle of one's utter defeat and loss of honor.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several key themes prevalent in Lamentations and prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **suffering and affliction**, particularly the unique pain of being mocked and scorned by one's adversaries, adding psychological torment to physical and national devastation. Secondly, it emphasizes the **pervasive nature of the enemies' oppression**, indicating that their malice was not sporadic but constant, observing every move. This echoes the concept of divine omnipresence, but here applied to human adversaries, as seen in [Psalm 139:2](/psalm/139-2 "Psalm 139:2 - God Knows Our Every Move"). Thirdly, it contributes to the overarching theme of **divine justice and vindication**. The prophet's detailed description of the enemies' actions is not merely a complaint but an appeal to God, the righteous Judge, to witness the injustice and respond. This aligns with the broader biblical understanding that God sees the suffering of His people and will ultimately bring justice, as expressed in [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Behold (Hebrew, _nâbaṭ'_):** From H5027, a primitive root meaning "to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care." In this context, the imperative "Behold" is a direct plea to God to observe, to look intently at the actions of the enemies. The implication here is not of favor or care from the enemies, but rather a malevolent, scrutinizing gaze that finds pleasure in the suffering of the afflicted. It underscores the prophet's desire for divine attention to the relentless nature of their tormentors.
* **sitting down (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** From H3427, a primitive root meaning "to sit down (specifically as judge, in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain." The phrase "sitting down" (and "rising up") is an idiomatic expression signifying the entirety of one's daily activities, from rest to work, from private moments to public appearances. It conveys the idea that the enemies' observation is comprehensive and ceaseless, extending to every aspect of the sufferers' existence, leaving no moment unwatched or unmocked.
* **musick (Hebrew, _mangîynâh'_):** From H4485, derived from a root meaning "to strike a stringed instrument," it can refer to a melody or song. However, in contexts of affliction and enemies, as here and in [Job 30:9](/job/30-9 "Job 30:9 - Job Becomes a Byword"), it takes on the connotation of a "satire," a taunt, a song of derision, or a mocking refrain. To be "their musick" means to be the object of their scornful entertainment, reduced to a byword, a subject of their cruel jokes and taunts. It signifies profound humiliation and indignity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold their sitting down, and their rising up":** This clause serves as a direct, impassioned appeal to God. The prophet implores the Almighty to witness the pervasive and incessant scrutiny of their enemies. The idiomatic phrase "sitting down, and their rising up" comprehensively describes the enemies' constant observation of every facet of the sufferers' lives—their rest, their activity, their private moments, and their public appearances. It conveys a sense of being perpetually under the hostile gaze of those who delight in their misery, leaving no aspect of their existence free from contemptuous observation.
* **"I [am] their musick":** This powerful metaphorical statement reveals the depth of humiliation experienced by the prophet and his people. Their suffering, their very existence in this state of defeat, has become a source of cruel entertainment for their adversaries. They are not merely mocked; they are the "song" or "satire" that their enemies play, a constant reminder of their downfall, a byword for derision. This signifies a profound loss of dignity and an unbearable psychological burden, as their pain is transformed into a spectacle for the gloating of their foes.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 3:63 employs several potent literary devices to convey the prophet's anguish. The phrase "their sitting down, and their rising up" is a powerful **Idiom**, a merism that signifies the totality of the enemies' activities and observations, encompassing every moment of the day. It emphasizes the relentless and pervasive nature of their scrutiny. The declaration "I am their musick" is a striking **Metaphor**, transforming the prophet's very being into an object of scornful entertainment. This metaphor highlights the profound humiliation and the reduction of the suffering party to a mere source of amusement for their foes. The intensity of this statement also borders on **Hyperbole**, underscoring the extreme degree of contempt and mockery endured, where their sorrow is not just observed but actively celebrated by their adversaries.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 3:63 speaks to the profound theological truth that God is a witness to all suffering, particularly the injustice and mockery inflicted upon His people. The prophet's plea for God to "behold" is rooted in the conviction that divine omniscience is not merely a passive awareness but a prelude to righteous judgment and intervention. It underscores the biblical theme of God as the ultimate Judge who sees the pride and cruelty of the oppressor and hears the cry of the afflicted. This verse reminds us that even when human adversaries seem to have complete control and delight in our humiliation, God's gaze is upon the situation, and His justice will ultimately prevail, transforming the "music" of derision into a song of vindication for His faithful.

* [Psalm 139:2](/psalm/139-2 "Psalm 139:2 - God Knows Our Sitting and Rising")
* [Job 30:9](/job/30-9 "Job 30:9 - Job Becomes a Song of Mockery")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 3:63 offers a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the pain of being ridiculed and scorned. In a world where social media amplifies mockery and public humiliation, this verse resonates deeply. It reminds us that whether we face personal insults, professional undermining, or spiritual opposition, the experience of being made "their music" is a deeply wounding one. Yet, the prophet's appeal to God to "behold" serves as a powerful model. It encourages us to bring our hurt, our indignation, and our desire for justice directly to the One who sees all. We are invited to trust that our suffering is not invisible to God, and that He, in His perfect timing and wisdom, will address every injustice. This verse calls us to endure with hope, knowing that our ultimate vindication rests not in human approval or retaliation, but in the righteous hand of the Almighty, who will one day turn our lament into a song of praise.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have you felt like "their music," an object of scorn or ridicule? How did you respond?**
* **How does the knowledge that God "beholds" your situation bring you comfort or challenge you?**
* **What is the difference between seeking personal vengeance and trusting God for ultimate justice?**

### FAQ
**What does "I am their musick" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: In Lamentations 3:63, "I am their musick" (Hebrew: *mangîynâh*) does not refer to pleasant melodies or harmonious tunes. Instead, it carries the strong connotation of a song of derision, a taunt, or a satirical refrain. The prophet, representing the suffering people of Judah, is lamenting that their humiliation and distress have become a source of cruel entertainment and mockery for their enemies. They are reduced to a byword, an object of scornful amusement, where their pain is celebrated and their downfall is sung about with contempt. This is similar to the experience of Job, who laments in [Job 30:9](/job/30-9 "Job 30:9 - Job Becomes a Byword") that he has become "their song" and "a byword among them." It signifies profound indignity and psychological torment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 3:63, with its poignant portrayal of relentless mockery and suffering, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Just as the prophet was made "their music," an object of scorn and derision, so too was Christ subjected to unparalleled humiliation by His adversaries. From the very beginning of His ministry, He was reviled and rejected ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected by Men")), and during His passion, the mockery reached its crescendo. The soldiers "beheld His sitting down" as they dressed Him in a purple robe and placed a crown of thorns on His head, kneeling before Him in derision ([Mark 15:17-19](/mark/15-17 "Mark 15:17-19 - Jesus Mocked by Soldiers")). On the cross, as He was "rising up" in agony, the chief priests, scribes, and elders made Him their "music," taunting Him with bitter words: "He saved others; He cannot save Himself!" ([Matthew 27:41-42](/matthew/27-41 "Matthew 27:41-42 - Jesus Mocked on the Cross")). Yet, unlike the prophet who cries out for justice, Jesus silently endured, fulfilling the prophecy of the suffering servant ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - He Was Oppressed and Afflicted")). His ultimate vindication came not through the destruction of His mockers, but through His resurrection, which transformed the song of derision into the triumphant anthem of salvation for all who believe. In Christ, the one who was truly made "their music" for our sake, we find the ultimate solace and hope for our own moments of scorn, knowing that our suffering is seen and redeemed by the One who conquered shame and death.

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 139:2

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Lamentations 3:14

I was a derision to all my people; [and] their song all the day.

Job 30:9

And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword.