Lamentations 3:28 kjv
He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.
Lamentations 3:28 nkjv
Let him sit alone and keep silent, Because God has laid it on him;
Lamentations 3:28 niv
Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it on him.
Lamentations 3:28 esv
Let him sit alone in silence when it is laid on him;
Lamentations 3:28 nlt
Let them sit alone in silence
beneath the LORD's demands.
Lamentations 3 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lamentations 3:29 | "Let him put his mouth in the dust-- there may yet be hope." | Patience amidst affliction |
| Psalm 27:14 | "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." | Encouragement to wait |
| Psalm 37:7 | "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him." | Stillness and patient waiting |
| Psalm 40:1 | "I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry." | Answered prayer after waiting |
| Isaiah 30:18 | "Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion." | God's desire to show grace |
| Isaiah 40:31 | "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles..." | Renewed strength through hope |
| Micah 7:7 | "But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me." | Trust in God's salvation |
| Acts 1:4 | "And he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father..." | Waiting for God's promise |
| Romans 8:25 | "But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." | Patient endurance of hope |
| Galatians 5:5 | "For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith." | Eager expectation in faith |
| Titus 2:13 | "...waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." | Hope in Christ's return |
| Hebrews 6:11 | "But we want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized." | Diligence in hope |
| Hebrews 10:36 | "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised." | Endurance to receive promises |
| 1 Peter 1:13 | "Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you..." | Preparation for hope |
| Psalm 62:5 | "My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my hope is from Him." | Waiting silently for God |
| Psalm 130:5 | "I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope." | Waiting in God's word |
| Psalm 131:2 | "Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a child weaned from his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me." | Inner quietude of soul |
| Lamentations 3:25 | "The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him." | God's goodness to those who wait |
Lamentations 3 verses
Lamentations 3 28 Meaning
It is good for a man to wait diligently and quietly for the salvation of the LORD. This verse emphasizes the virtue of patient expectation and humble reliance on God. It suggests that submission to God's timing and purpose, even amidst suffering, is beneficial and spiritually rewarding. The act of waiting is presented not as passive resignation but as an active, hopeful trust.
Lamentations 3 28 Context
Lamentations 3 is a powerful chapter of confession, suffering, and ultimate hope expressed by the prophet Jeremiah, likely during the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile. The prophet bears witness to immense personal and national anguish. Verse 28 is situated within a section (vv. 25-30) that shifts from the depths of despair to a proclamation of God's goodness and faithfulness. This declaration of faith follows a lament of God's seeming abandonment and punishment. The surrounding verses, particularly verse 25 ("The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him") and verse 29, reinforce the theme of finding solace and hope in God's timing and nature, even in the most dire circumstances. The historical context is one of severe national crisis, providing a stark backdrop for this message of patient, hopeful waiting.
Lamentations 3 28 Word Analysis
- טוֹב (tov): This Hebrew word means "good." It signifies something that is morally good, pleasant, beneficial, or agreeable. Here, it affirms the fundamental goodness of God, a truth that holds even when circumstances appear bleak.
- גֶּבֶר (gever): This Hebrew word translates to "man" or "strong man." It implies a robust, capable individual, emphasizing that this teaching is relevant and beneficial to all people, regardless of their strength or station.
- לִצְפִּיָּה (litzpiyah): This is a verbal noun derived from the root צָפָה (tsaphah), meaning "to look out," "to watch," "to expect," or "to hope." The prepositional phrase "to waiting" highlights the action and focus of this patient expectation. It's not a passive waiting, but an active anticipation.
- יְשׁוּעַת (yeshu'at): This is the construct form of יְשׁוּעָה (yeshu'ah), meaning "salvation" or "deliverance." It specifically refers to the salvation provided by the LORD.
- יְהוָה (Yahweh): The covenant name of God, often translated as LORD. It refers to the personal, redemptive God of Israel.
- יִשָּׂא (yissa'): This verb form means "he will lift," "he will bear," or "he will carry." In this context, it suggests enduring, bearing up under, or patiently enduring something. Some translations render it as "submit" or "humbly place himself," which aligns with the broader sense of patient resignation and acceptance of God's will.
- פִּיו (piyo): "his mouth." Placing one's mouth in the dust, as mentioned in the following verse (3:29), is a gesture of profound humility and submission. While the verse says "he will lift his mouth in the dust," many scholars understand the infinitive
lihyot(to be) implicitly in the sentence, suggesting a quality or action "to be good for a man, that he lift his mouth to the dust". In some interpretations, it's about what one "bears" or "endures." - על (al): A preposition, often meaning "upon," "on," or "concerning." Here it might link the act of bearing/lifting to the mouth.
Words Group Analysis
The phrase "wait diligently for the salvation of the LORD" combines concepts of active watching and confident expectation focused on divine deliverance. The juxtaposition of "man" with "salvation of the LORD" underscores humanity's need and dependence on God's ultimate action for true well-being and redemption. The grammatical structure implies that such patient waiting is inherently beneficial, leading to spiritual endurance and hope.
Lamentations 3 28 Bonus Section
The emphasis on "waiting" in the Old Testament often connects to a hopeful expectation for deliverance from oppression or sin, and ultimately, for the establishment of God's kingdom. This verse echoes the sentiment found in various Psalms, highlighting the importance of spiritual resilience rooted in faith in God's character and promises. The phrase can be understood in the context of recognizing one's limited understanding and power, and thus willingly submitting to God's superior knowledge and strength. This surrender leads to an anticipation that is not easily discouraged.
Lamentations 3 28 Commentary
This verse serves as a crucial turning point in Lamentations 3, moving from despair towards steadfast hope. It is an imperative for human response to divine sovereignty amidst trials. The believer is called to adopt an attitude of hopeful submission. This isn't passive inertia but a proactive trust in God's goodness and His ultimate plan for salvation, which is not limited by present circumstances. It requires inner quietude and a steadfast focus on the LORD, recognizing that His timing and ways are perfect. This principle is exemplified in the waiting for the Messiah and, by extension, in the Christian life of hope and endurance for Christ's return.