Lamentations 3 55

Lamentations 3:55 kjv

I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon.

Lamentations 3:55 nkjv

I called on Your name, O LORD, From the lowest pit.

Lamentations 3:55 niv

I called on your name, LORD, from the depths of the pit.

Lamentations 3:55 esv

"I called on your name, O LORD, from the depths of the pit;

Lamentations 3:55 nlt

But I called on your name, LORD,
from deep within the pit.

Lamentations 3 verses

Lamentations 3 55 Meaning

Lamentations 3:55 portrays a person, symbolic of the suffering nation of Israel, at the extreme brink of despair, imprisoned by immense affliction. In this seemingly hopeless state, they cry out to the covenant-keeping God, YHWH, by His personal name, invoking His character and power from the deepest and most dire circumstances imaginable, a physical or metaphorical pit of despair and death. This verse signifies an act of desperate faith and radical dependence on God's intervention when all human avenues are exhausted.

Lamentations 3 55 Context

Lamentations chapter 3 is the theological and literary pivot of the entire book. While chapters 1 and 2 depict the horrific suffering of Jerusalem and its inhabitants after the Babylonian conquest (586 BC), expressed as corporate lament, chapter 3 shifts to an individual voice, "the man who has seen affliction" (Lam 3:1). This 'man' embodies the collective suffering of the nation and its deepest pain, yet importantly, he initiates a move toward hope. Verses 1-39 vividly describe the extreme depths of his suffering, attributed to God's hand as judgment.

Lamentations 3:55 occurs at a crucial turning point after the profound declarations of God's unfailing love, mercies, and faithfulness in verses 21-24, which serve as a burst of hope amidst despair. While the suffering continues (vv. 40-54 portray him sinking, overwhelmed by waters), this verse marks the specific action of reaching out to God directly from that extreme plight. The "pit" can be a literal dungeon, as Jeremiah himself experienced (Jer 38:6), or a metaphor for death and hopelessness, from which there is no escape by human means. This desperate cry in 3:55 immediately precedes God's prompt and gracious intervention described in verses 56-58, where He "came near" and "redeemed" the soul. The verse encapsulates the paradox of faith: utter devastation can lead to profound dependence on God's character and name.

Lamentations 3 55 Word analysis

• I called (qārāʾ - קרא): This Hebrew verb denotes a strong, earnest vocalization—to cry aloud, to proclaim, to summon, or to invoke. It is not a casual utterance but a deliberate, intentional act of seeking contact and assistance. In a prayer context, it signifies a fervent and direct appeal to a higher power, demonstrating active faith even in a desperate situation, rather than passive resignation.
• on your name (bəshimḵā - בשמך): The preposition "on" (or "in/by") and "your name" signifies more than merely uttering God's designation. In biblical thought, the "name" (Hebrew: shem) represents the very character, attributes, reputation, and manifest presence of the individual. Calling on God's name is an appeal to His revealed being, His covenant promises, His power, and His faithfulness to that which He is. It highlights a personal, relational prayer rooted in a prior knowledge of who God is.
• O LORD (YHWH - יהוה): This is the sacred, ineffable, covenant name of God, revealing Him as the self-existent, faithful God who keeps His promises. It contrasts with Elohim (general term for God). Invoking YHWH in this context is a plea directed to the specific God who made a covenant with Israel and promised to be with them, emphasizing His relational and unchanging nature, even when they experienced the severe consequences of their unfaithfulness. It appeals to God's essence as the Deliverer and Redeemer.
• from the depths (mimmāʿămaqqîm - ממעמקים): This term means "from the deep places," indicating extreme lowliness, profundity, or the lowest possible state. It can refer to physical depths (as in a pit or cistern), or more significantly, to metaphorical depths of despair, distress, or even the abyss of Sheol (the realm of the dead). It suggests being utterly overwhelmed and having no physical or mental escape route.
• of the pit (bōr - בור): This noun refers to a pit, cistern, well, or dungeon, often one without water, used as a prison or a grave. In the ancient Near East, such pits were grim places, symbolizing abandonment, death, and extreme isolation. It is a graphic image conveying utter hopelessness and proximity to death. When combined with "depths," it intensifies the image of a suffocating, inescapable confinement. This resonates strongly with the literal experiences of prophets like Jeremiah, who was cast into a miry pit (Jer 38:6), and Job's sufferings, as well as the experiences of many others exiled and imprisoned by the Babylonians.

• "I called on your name, O LORD": This phrase captures an active, faith-filled, and intensely personal prayer. Despite the desolation, the "man" knows who to call upon. It's a testament to the enduring covenant even amid judgment. The act of calling on YHWH's name is a cornerstone of biblical piety, representing a radical shift from passive suffering to active trust.
• "from the depths of the pit": This phrase powerfully depicts the dire circumstances—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—from which the prayer ascends. It conveys a state of being utterly broken and confined, stripped of all human resources, yet precisely from this point of extreme vulnerability, a true and genuine prayer emerges. This "pit" is the ultimate place of testing for one's faith and the rawest crucible for crying out to God.

Lamentations 3 55 Bonus section

The immediate literary context of this verse is critical, as Lamentations 3:56-58 reveal God's direct and immediate response to this prayer: "You heard my voice; do not hide your ear... You came near... You redeemed my life." This highlights the efficacy of such a desperate cry. The boldness of the prayer comes from the preceding theological truths articulated in Lam 3:22-24, where the prophet reminds himself (and Israel) of God's steadfast love and great faithfulness even in judgment. This self-admonition becomes the foundation for the desperate yet hopeful call from the pit. The "pit" can also be seen as an image of the spiritual and moral abyss into which Israel had fallen, yet even from there, restoration is possible through God's intervention, triggered by their repentant cry.

Lamentations 3 55 Commentary

Lamentations 3:55 encapsulates the transformative power of desperate prayer rooted in unyielding faith. Having recounted suffering that pushed him to the very precipice of death and despair (vv. 52-54), the individual turns decisively to the only remaining hope: God Himself. The simple act of "calling on Your name, O LORD," from "the depths of the pit," is a profound statement. It is not merely a whisper but an earnest invocation (to 'call' qārāʾ is a forceful action), recognizing that even from the lowest conceivable point, God's personal, covenantal presence (YHWH) can be accessed. The "pit" symbolizes total abandonment and death, suggesting a situation from which no human rescue is possible. Yet, it is precisely from this place of utter destitution that a genuine relationship with God shines most brightly. This verse powerfully illustrates that regardless of how far one has fallen or how deep the despair, the option to call upon God remains, and that call is heard and answered by the One who is faithful. It serves as an encouragement that true prayer requires neither eloquence nor favorable circumstances, but sincere heart and a trust in God's nature to deliver.

For instance, like an individual facing financial ruin and homelessness, whose first instinct might be to despair, this verse prompts them instead to direct a heartfelt cry to God from their perceived 'pit,' trusting in His ultimate provision. Similarly, someone battling severe addiction, feeling trapped in a 'pit' of despair, is reminded that prayer to the God who redeems is their pathway to breakthrough, not just self-effort.