Lamentations 3:25
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
Original Language Analysis
ט֤וֹב
is good
H2896
ט֤וֹב
is good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
1 of 5
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
יְהוָה֙
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 5
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְקוָֹ֔ו
unto them that wait
H6960
לְקוָֹ֔ו
unto them that wait
Strong's:
H6960
Word #:
3 of 5
to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect
Cross References
Isaiah 40:31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.Psalms 37:34Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.Isaiah 25:9And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.Lamentations 3:26It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.Psalms 27:14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.Psalms 37:7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.Isaiah 30:18And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.2 Chronicles 31:21And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.James 5:7Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.Isaiah 64:4For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
Historical Context
Exile lasted 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11-12). Those who heard this message would mostly die before return. 'Waiting for the LORD' meant a lifetime of hope without earthly fulfillment for most exiles. Yet this waiting was 'good'—not in outcome but in the character formation and deepened relationship with God it produced.
Questions for Reflection
- Are you willing to wait on God's goodness even if His timeline extends beyond your lifetime, or does your faith demand immediate answers?
- How does 'seeking' while 'waiting' prevent passive resignation and cultivate active trust?
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Analysis & Commentary
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him (טוֹב יְהוָה לְקוָֹו, tov YHWH leqovav)—'Wait' (qavah) means to wait with expectation, like a cord stretched taut in tension. God's goodness (tov) is experienced not immediately but through patient endurance. To the soul that seeketh him (לְנֶפֶשׁ תִּדְרְשֶׁנּוּ, lenefesh tidrshenu)—'Seek' (darash) implies diligent inquiry, not casual interest. The parallel structure equates waiting and seeking as active postures. This verse challenges the immediate gratification that pervades fallen human nature—God's goodness comes to those who persevere through darkness.