Lamentations 3 63

Lamentations 3:63 kjv

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

Lamentations 3:63 nkjv

Look at their sitting down and their rising up; I am their taunting song.

Lamentations 3:63 niv

Look at them! Sitting or standing, they mock me in their songs.

Lamentations 3:63 esv

Behold their sitting and their rising; I am the object of their taunts.

Lamentations 3:63 nlt

Look at them! Whether they sit or stand,
I am the object of their mocking songs.

Lamentations 3 verses

Lamentations 3 63 Meaning

Lamentations 3:63 presents the plea of a deeply suffering individual, likely representing the collective pain of Judah during its exile. The verse vividly portrays the constant and pervasive nature of the enemies' derision. In all their activities, from their quiet contemplation ("sitting down") to their active pursuits ("rising up"), the adversaries continually make the suffering people the object of their taunts and mocking songs. It is a cry to God to observe this relentless contempt, where the very existence and sorrow of the afflicted become the vile "music" or "theme of mockery" for their oppressors.

Lamentations 3 63 Context

Lamentations chapter 3 is distinct within the book as it shifts from corporate lament to a more personal, introspective voice. Often attributed to Jeremiah, this "I" serves as both an individual suffering intensely and a representative of the afflicted nation of Judah after the Babylonian conquest and the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The chapter is structured around an alphabetic acrostic, with three lines per letter of the Hebrew alphabet. After describing profound personal and national suffering (vv. 1-18), the tone shifts to a profound affirmation of God's steadfast love, mercies, and faithfulness (vv. 19-39), introducing a powerful message of hope even amidst despair. However, the chapter then moves back to lament and confession (vv. 40-54) before culminating in an earnest plea for divine justice and intervention against their tormentors (vv. 55-66). Verse 63 falls within this final prayer section, where the supplicant appeals to God to witness the relentless hostility and mocking attitude of the enemies and act decisively against them. It highlights the pervasive nature of the enemies' scorn, emphasizing their total preoccupation with belittling the suffering of Judah.

Lamentations 3 63 Word analysis

• Behold/Look on (רְאֵה - r'eih): This is an imperative verb, a direct command or earnest plea to God. It implores the Almighty to pay specific and attentive regard to the situation. It’s not just an observation but an urgent appeal for divine recognition of their plight, expecting action to follow from God's perfect perception.
• their sitting down (שִׁבְתָּם - shivtam): Derived from the Hebrew verb yashav (to sit, dwell), this noun refers to their static position, their domestic life, or their quiet moments of rest and deliberation. It signifies their private activities, their discussions, and their plotting. It encompasses the internal, unseen aspects of their existence.
• and their rising up (וְקִימָתָם - veqimatam): From the Hebrew verb qum (to rise, stand up, or appear), this noun refers to their active movements, their public actions, their going about, and their daily pursuits. Together with "sitting down," these two words form a merism, a figure of speech where two contrasting parts represent the whole. Thus, "sitting down and rising up" comprehensively signifies all their activities, at all times, covering the totality of their life and behavior—whether in private thought or public action. It means their constant focus.
• I am their music (אֲנִי מַנְגִּינָתָם - ani manginatam): This is a critical phrase due to translational nuances.
  • אֲנִי (ani): The pronoun "I," representing the supplicant and, by extension, the entire suffering community or nation. It underscores the personal and communal burden of the constant mockery.
  • מַנְגִּינָתָם (manginatam): This noun is derived from neginah (from the root nagan, to play a stringed instrument). While neginah can indeed mean "music" or "melody," especially when associated with instruments, its semantic range is broadened by context. In contexts of hostility or lament, it carries the strong connotation of "taunt," "mockery," "scorn," or "a song of derision." This interpretation is supported by similar uses in Job 30:9, Psalm 69:12, and other parts of Lamentations itself (3:14). Therefore, the KJV's "music" can be misleading if not understood as "the object of their mocking songs" or "the subject of their satirical tunes." It implies that the enemies' "music" is not melodious praise, but bitter, scornful ridicule directed at the suffering "I." The 'I' (the exiled people) has become the incessant theme of their adversaries' taunts and cruel jests, permeating every aspect of their oppressors' lives.
• Word-Group Analysis: "Behold their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their music/mockery." This full line presents a comprehensive picture of persistent, pervasive contempt. The enemies are fixated on mocking Judah, so much so that the suffering of God's people forms the very soundtrack of their daily lives. Whether resting or active, in private or in public, their scorn knows no bounds. This comprehensive focus implies an obsessive, cruel, and relentless dehumanization of the "I" (Judah). It is a plea for God to observe the depth of their adversaries' malice and constant focus on them, thereby motivating divine action.

Lamentations 3 63 Bonus section

The strong request for God to "behold" or "look" upon this persistent mockery reflects a deep theological conviction that divine awareness leads to divine action. This echoes countless biblical prayers where supplicants ask God to "see" their plight, trusting that a seeing God will be a responsive God. The ironic use of "music" for "taunt song" further underscores the depth of the lament. In a normal context, music would be for praise or celebration, but here, it's twisted into an instrument of derision. This shows the inversion of proper order brought by sin and judgment, where the people meant to offer God's praise are instead reduced to objects of impious songs by their enemies. The verse also hints at the psychological burden of being under constant scrutiny and ridicule, eroding one's sense of worth and identity.

Lamentations 3 63 Commentary

Lamentations 3:63 profoundly expresses the utter dehumanization felt by those enduring relentless mockery. The enemies' contempt for the suffering individual (and the nation) is so consuming that it fills their every waking moment, forming the "music" of their existence. This isn't literal music, but rather the constant, derisive taunts that animate their thoughts and conversations. The "sitting down" and "rising up" signify the totality of life, from private reflection to public engagement, indicating that the adversaries' scorn is ceaseless and ingrained in their very being. The cry to God, "Behold," is an appeal to divine justice—to observe this incessant humiliation and to intervene. It emphasizes the deep pain of being objectified, becoming nothing more than a source of cruel entertainment for those who prosper while one suffers. It seeks God's eye to turn to the oppressors, not merely to witness but to respond.