Lamentations 3:56
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Lamentations 3:56
56 Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.
Chapter Context
Lamentations 3 is a funeral dirge chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of mercy, obedience, salvation. Written during just after Jerusalem's fall (c. 586 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Written amid the devastating aftermath of Jerusalem's destruction by Babylon.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-66: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it establishes important theological principles that resonate throughout Scripture. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Lamentations and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Lamentations 3:56
56 Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.
Analysis
God's response asserted: "Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry." The Hebrew koli shamata al-talem aznekha lervacha leshavati (קוֹלִי שָׁמָעְתָּ אַל־תַּעְלֵם אָזְנְךָ לְרַוְחָתִי לְשַׁוְעָתִי) begins with confident assertion: koli shamata (קוֹלִי שָׁמָעְתָּ, "my voice you have heard"). The perfect tense indicates completed action—God has indeed heard.
The plea continues: "hide not thine ear" (al-talem aznekha, אַל־תַּעְלֵם אָזְנְךָ). Alam (עָלַם) means to hide, conceal, or close. The prayer asks that God not close His ear to "my breathing" (lervachati, לְרַוְחָתִי, "my relief, my breathing") and "my cry" (leshavati, לְשַׁוְעָתִי, "my cry for help"). The pairing of "breathing" and "cry" captures both whispered gasps and loud shouts—the full range of desperate prayer.
Theologically, this verse moves from past deliverance ("you have heard") to present/future petition ("don't hide your ear"). It demonstrates that past experience of God's faithfulness grounds ongoing appeals for continued help. Believers aren't presumptuous in repeatedly crying to God because He has proven faithful before. Hebrews 4:16 encourages: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
Historical Context
The confident assertion "you have heard my voice" reflects Jeremiah's rescue from the cistern (Jeremiah 38:10-13). Ebed-melech intervened at precisely the right moment, demonstrating divine providence. Jeremiah could testify from experience that God hears prayers even from pits.
The plea not to hide His ear suggests awareness that God sometimes does withhold hearing as judgment (Isaiah 1:15, 59:2, Jeremiah 11:11, 14:12, Lamentations 3:8, 44). The speaker appeals that though past sin warranted such treatment, God's character inclines toward mercy. Psalm 102:1-2 makes similar appeal: "Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee. Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me."
The terms "breathing" (revachah) and "cry" (shavah) encompass all prayer—from sighs too deep for words (Romans 8:26) to loud cries of anguish. Ancient Israelite prayer wasn't merely quiet meditation but often involved physical expression—loud cries, tears, outstretched hands, prostration. Hannah's silent prayer was so unusual that Eli thought she was drunk (1 Samuel 1:12-14). The exile taught Israel to cry out desperately, which prepared them to appreciate God's listening grace.
Reflection
- How does past experience of God hearing our prayers (verse 55) give us confidence to cry out again in new troubles (verse 56)?
- What does the pairing of 'breathing' and 'cry' teach about the range of valid prayer—from whispered sighs to loud shouts?
- In what ways does Christ's intercession (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25) assure us that God's ear is always open to believers?
- How should we understand passages about God hiding His ear (in judgment) alongside promises that He always hears His people's prayers?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Job 34:28, Psalms 34:6, 55:1, Isaiah 38:5, Romans 8:26