Lamentations 3

The man of affliction

I AM the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. Lamentations 3:1–3

The poet speaks as one man bearing the punishment of a whole people. That picture of one who carries the wrath others earned points toward Christ. The capital letters of 'I AM' here are only printing style at the start of the chapter, not the divine name.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• a type of what is in Matthew 27:45-46 — Darkness over the land and Jesus' cry of abandonment on the cross.

Mocked and given gall

I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day. Lamentations 3:14–19

The sufferer is mocked by his own people and filled with gall and bitterness. At the cross Jesus was mocked and offered drink mixed with gall.

• a type of what is in Matthew 27:34 — 'They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall.'
• a type of what is in Matthew 27:41 — The chief priests mocked Him.

Jehovah

It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. Lamentations 3:22–25

In the middle of the darkest book, hope rests on Jehovah's mercies, which are new every morning. His compassion, which reaches its fullness in the Atonement, never runs out.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

The salvation of the LORD

Jesus (Yeshua) - Jehovah is salvation

It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:26

'Salvation of the LORD' is yeshuat YHWH in Hebrew, the same root as the name Jesus (Yeshua, 'Jehovah saves'). Those who waited for the Lord's salvation were waiting for Him.

• alludes to Genesis 49:18 — 'I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.'
• fulfilled by Luke 2:30 — Simeon, who waited for the consolation of Israel, holds the infant Jesus: 'mine eyes have seen thy salvation.'

Gives his cheek to the smiter

He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach. Lamentations 3:30

The patient sufferer offers his cheek and bears reproach without striking back, exactly as Jesus did when He was struck at His trials.

• alludes to Isaiah 50:6 — The Servant: 'I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair.'
• a type of what is in Matthew 26:67 — Jesus is spit upon, buffeted and struck with the palms of their hands.

Jehovah

For the LORD will not cast off for ever: Lamentations 3:31–33

Jehovah's discipline is never His final word; His compassion outlasts His correction.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

Cut off and sealed with a stone

They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me. Lamentations 3:53–54

The sufferer is thrown into a pit, sealed with a stone, and counted dead. Christians see the Savior's death and the stone rolled over His tomb, before He was raised.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• a type of what is in Matthew 27:60 — A great stone rolled to the door of Jesus' sepulchre.

Jehovah

I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon. Lamentations 3:55–57

From the lowest pit the sufferer calls on Jehovah's name, and He draws near and says 'Fear not.' The Lord comes close to those who call on Him.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

Redeemer who pleads our cause

O LORD, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life. Lamentations 3:58–59

Jehovah acts as advocate, pleading the sufferer's case, and as Redeemer, buying back his life. These are the roles Jesus Christ fills as our Advocate with the Father and our Redeemer.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• alludes to Jeremiah 50:34 — 'Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts... he shall throughly plead their cause.'