Lamentations 3:1-25

I am someone who saw the suffering caused by God’s angry rod. He drove me away, forced me to walk in darkness, not light. He turned his hand even against me, over and over again, all day long. He wore out my flesh and my skin; he broke my bones. He besieged me, surrounding me with bitterness and weariness. He made me live in dark places like those who’ve been dead a long time. He walled me in so I couldn’t escape; he made my chains heavy. Even though I call out and cry for help, he silences my prayer. He walled in my paths with stonework; he made my routes crooked. He is a bear lurking for me, a lion in hiding. He took me from my path and tore me apart; he made me desolate. He drew back his bow, made me a shooting target for arrows. He shot the arrows of his quiver into my inside parts. I have become a joke to all my people, the object of their song of ridicule all day long. He saturated me with grief, made me choke on bitterness. He crushed my teeth into the gravel; he pressed me down into the ashes. I’ve rejected peace; I’ve forgotten what is good. I thought: My future is gone, as well as my hope from the LORD. The memory of my suffering and homelessness is bitterness and poison. I can’t help but remember and am depressed. I call all this to mind—therefore, I will wait. Certainly the faithful love of the LORD hasn’t ended; certainly God’s compassion isn’t through! They are renewed every morning. Great is your faithfulness. I think: The LORD is my portion! Therefore, I’ll wait for him. The LORD is good to those who hope in him, to the person who seeks him.