Lamentations 3:22
It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Original Language Analysis
חַֽסְדֵ֤י
mercies
H2617
חַֽסְדֵ֤י
mercies
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
1 of 9
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
יְהוָה֙
It is of the LORD'S
H3068
יְהוָה֙
It is of the LORD'S
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 9
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תָ֔מְנוּ
that we are not consumed
H8552
תָ֔מְנוּ
that we are not consumed
Strong's:
H8552
Word #:
5 of 9
to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 9
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Psalms 86:15But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.Luke 1:50And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.Nehemiah 9:31Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.Malachi 3:6For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.Psalms 78:38But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.Psalms 106:45And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.Psalms 77:8Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?
Historical Context
Written from within the catastrophe, not after restoration. This is faith speaking in the darkest hour, not hindsight after deliverance. The remnant's survival—including Jeremiah himself—despite Babylon's typical policy of total destruction of rebellious cities, demonstrated divine restraint.
Questions for Reflection
- Can you identify God's mercies even in the midst of His disciplining judgments in your life, or do you only recognize them in retrospect?
- How does understanding that we deserve consumption but receive mercy instead transform your posture toward God's discipline?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed (חַסְדֵי יְהוָה כִּי לֹא־תָמְנוּ, chasde YHWH ki lo-tamnu)—After 21 verses of anguish, this pivotal turn introduces the book's theological center. 'Chesed' (mercies/lovingkindness) is covenant loyalty—God's commitment to His promises despite Israel's faithlessness. We are not consumed (lo-tamnu) acknowledges judgment's severity while marveling at its limitation. Total annihilation was deserved; survival proves covenant mercy. His compassions fail not (כִּי לֹא־כָלוּ רַחֲמָיו, ki lo-khalu rachamav)—'rachamim' derives from 'rechem' (womb), depicting motherly, visceral compassion that cannot ultimately abandon covenant children.