My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Lamentations 3:20
What does Lamentations 3:20 mean?
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Lamentations 3:20
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While many read this as simply remembering past suffering, the Hebrew here can also be translated as "You will surely remember, because my soul is bowed down within me." This shifts the focus from the prophet's persistent memory of pain to a prayer that God Himself would remember him because of his deep, soul-crushing sorrow.
My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet is deep in despair, recounting the immense suffering and bitterness he's experiencing because of God's wrath. This verse captures the heavy burden of these memories, describing how the ongoing recollection of his troubles weighs him down internally. It sets the stage for the dramatic shift in the following verses where he forces himself to remember something else, leading to a flicker of hope.
Ever felt so overwhelmed by a memory that it physically weighs you down? The prophet Jeremiah describes this exact experience.
A Soul That Remembers
The prophet Jeremiah is in deep distress, recounting his suffering.
In verse 20, he confesses, "My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me." The "it" here refers to the bitter afflictions and miseries he's been experiencing. It's not just a fleeting thought; it's a deep, soul-level recollection that crushes him.
This isn't about forgetting the past; it's about how certain memories can keep us pinned down, unable to move forward. The sheer weight of sorrow and pain makes his spirit heavy.
Jeremiah's lament seems unending, but a subtle shift is about to occur. What triggers that change?
Remembering God's Faithfulness
While verse 20 describes the soul being bowed down by painful memories, the very next verse offers a profound pivot.
Some scholars suggest that "remembering" in verse 20 might not just be about dwelling on suffering, but could also allude to the act of remembering God's faithfulness, even amidst the pain. It's a memory that, while still humbling, begins to pave the way for hope.
This isn't about denying the reality of hardship, but about intentionally recalling God's past actions and character. This intentional act of remembrance is what allows hope to resurface, as seen in the following verse.
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Lamentations was written in the devastating aftermath of Jerusalem's destruction and exile. The deep sorrow expressed in chapter 3, verse 20 reflects the raw grief and despair of a people who have lost their city, their Temple, and their homeland, making the remembering of these events a source of profound pain.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, leading to the exile of many Israelites.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Jehoiachin and a significant portion of Judah's elite, including the prophet Ezekiel, are exiled to Babylon.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezzar, destroy Jerusalem and its sacred Temple, exiling most of the remaining population.
c. 586 BC
Writing of Lamentations
The Book of Lamentations is believed to have been written in the immediate aftermath of Jerusalem's destruction, reflecting deep grief and national sorrow.
c. 580 BC
Babylonian Exile Continues
The people of Judah live in exile in Babylon, grappling with their losses and seeking understanding of God's judgment.
This passage shares the same imagery of a soul being 'bowed down' or 'cast down' within, highlighting a deep sense of despair and inner turmoil.
Job 7:18This verse describes a soul constantly being remembered by God, but in the context of His intense scrutiny and judgment, mirroring the weighty remembrance in Lamentations.
Isaiah 53:12This prophecy speaks of the Suffering Servant being 'numbered with the transgressors,' which connects to the profound sense of personal affliction and suffering described in Lamentations.
Psalm 143:4The psalmist here describes his spirit being 'greatly troubled' or 'bowed down' within him as he remembers past deeds and faces his adversaries, echoing the lament's internal struggle.
pooleLamentations 3:20: "My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me."
That is, I cannot forget them, and the thoughts of them sink my spirits.
pulpitLamentations 3:20: "My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me."
Verse 20. - My soul, etc. This rendering is difficult. In the next verse we read, "This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope," which seems inconsistent with ver. 20 as given in the Authorized Version. An equally grammatical and still more obvious translation is, Thou (O God!) wilt surely remember, for my soul is bowed down within me. The latter part of the line is a reminiscence of Psalm 42:5, at least, if…
While many read this as simply remembering past suffering, the Hebrew here can also be translated as "You will surely remember, because my soul is bowed down within me." This shifts the focus from the prophet's persistent memory of pain to a prayer that God Himself would remember him because of his deep, soul-crushing sorrow.
The prophet is deep in despair, recounting the immense suffering and bitterness he's experiencing because of God's wrath. This verse captures the heavy burden of these memories, describing how the ongoing recollection of his troubles weighs him down internally. It sets the stage for the dramatic shift in the following verses where he forces himself to remember something else, leading to a flicker of hope.
The prophet is deep in despair, recounting the immense suffering and bitterness he's experiencing because of God's wrath. This verse captures the heavy burden of these memories, describing how the ongoing recollection of his troubles weighs him down internally. It sets the stage for the dramatic shift in the following verses where he forces himself to remember something else, leading to a flicker of hope.
"My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me." — While many read this as simply remembering past suffering, the Hebrew here can also be translated as "You will surely remember, because my soul is bowed down within me." This shifts the focus from th…
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Last reviewed October 2026