Lamentations 3:22-24
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While we often read this verse as a simple declaration of God's enduring love, the original phrasing suggests a contrast: it's because God's mercies haven't ended that we haven't been utterly consumed by our suffering. This implies our circumstances are dire, but God's consistent, unfailing faithfulness has been the very thing holding destruction at bay.
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After plumbing the depths of despair and personal suffering in the preceding verses, the prophet shifts focus. He recalls that despite the overwhelming destruction and exile, they are not completely destroyed, attributing this survival not to their own merit but to God's enduring steadfast love and unfailing mercy. This declaration of God's faithfulness marks the turning point of the chapter, the core of hope amidst utter ruin, before the prophet eventually returns to lamenting their dire situation.
When things are at their absolute worst, what sustains us? It's not just a feeling of pity from God, but something more active and powerful.
The verse speaks of the LORD's 'steadfast love' and 'mercies.' While we often think of mercy as simply feeling sorry for someone, the Bible often uses it to describe God's active, life-sustaining kindness, especially towards those who don't deserve it.
Think about it: the prophet Jeremiah is writing this in a time of utter devastation – Jerusalem is destroyed, the people are suffering immensely. Yet, he declares that God's mercies haven't ended. This isn't a passive absence of judgment; it's an active refusal to let His people be completely consumed. It's the difference between feeling bad for someone and actively stepping in to help them, even when they've messed up.
This active mercy is why, despite terrible circumstances, the people were not utterly wiped out. It's a constant, unwavering stream of divine intervention and compassion.
In the face of overwhelming despair, where can true hope be found? It's not in changing circumstances, but in the unchanging nature of God Himself.
Lamentations 3 is written during a period of intense suffering and national catastrophe. The prophet has described his deep distress (v. 1-20). But then, in verses 21-24, there's a deliberate shift. He says, 'But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope.' What is this 'this'? It's the truth declared in verse 22: 'The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.'
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This isn't wishful thinking; it's a theological conviction. Hope isn't built on the possibility of things getting better, but on the certainty of God's unchanging character. Even when circumstances scream the opposite, the prophet reminds himself and us that God's love and mercy are foundational realities. They are the bedrock upon which hope can stand, even when everything else crumbles.
Understand the original words
chesed · Hebrew Noun
In the Old Testament, this refers to God’s covenant-keeping loyalty, love, and kindness. It is a persistent, faithful love that exceeds mere emotion, rooted in God's commitment to His people.
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
A common name for God in the Old Testament, reflecting His covenant identity with Israel. It represents the self-existent, eternal, and personal Creator who reveals Himself through His redemptive actions.
rachamim · Hebrew Noun
Deep compassion or pity, often associated with a parent's love for a child. It denotes an emotional and active expression of grace toward those who are in distress or need.
emunah · Hebrew Noun
The attribute of God being reliable, true, and constant. It affirms that God is trustworthy and that His promises will never fail, even in the midst of human unfaithfulness.
cheleq · Hebrew Noun
Inheritance or share. In a spiritual sense, it denotes that God Himself is the believer's ultimate treasure, sustenance, and security, providing everything necessary for life and eternity.
yachal · Hebrew Verb
A confident expectation or trust in God, especially in times of difficulty. It is rooted in God's character and promises rather than in present circumstances.
Written in the heart-wrenching aftermath of Jerusalem's destruction and the exile to Babylon, these verses are not a detached theological statement but a raw, desperate cry of hope. The prophet Jeremiah (or a voice like his) grapples with utter devastation, yet clings to the unshakeable truth of God's enduring mercy, even when all evidence seems to point to complete abandonment.
587/586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar II conquers Jerusalem, destroys Solomon's Temple, and deports a significant portion of the population to Babylon. This marks the end of the Kingdom of Judah.
c. 586 BC
Exile Begins
The Judean elite, skilled laborers, and remaining population are forced into exile in Babylon. This period of displacement profoundly impacts Jewish identity and religious practice.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, opening the door for the return of Jewish exiles to their homeland.
c. 538 BC
Edict of Cyrus
Cyrus allows the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. While many return, the experience of exile leaves a lasting mark.
This passage directly echoes Lamentations 3:22, stating 'I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.' It highlights the unchanging nature of God's faithfulness, even when His people falter.
Psalm 23:6This psalm beautifully illustrates the continuous nature of God's goodness and mercy, much like Lamentations. It assures us that 'surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.'
Romans 9:15-16Here, Paul quotes Exodus 33:19, emphasizing God's sovereign choice to show mercy. 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.' This underscores that God's mercy is a gracious gift, not earned.
Ephesians 2:4-5This passage powerfully connects God's abundant mercy with the revitalization of our spiritual lives. It speaks of God, 'being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.'
2 Corinthians 1:3-4Paul opens his letter by praising God as 'the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.' This directly mirrors the sentiment in Lamentations, showing that comfort and mercy are foundational to God's character and His interaction with us.
barnesLamentations 3:22: "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not."
Verses 22-42 are the center of the present poem, as it also holds the central place in the whole series of the Lamentations. In them the riches of God's grace and mercy are set forth in the brightest colors, but no sooner are they ended than the prophet resumes the language of woe. That we - He is speaking as the representative of all sufferers.
pulpitLamentations 3:22: "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not."
Verses 22-36. - RESIGNATION AND HOPEFULNESS. Verse 22. - It is of the Lord's mercies, etc.; literally, The Lord's mercies that we are not consumed. But the "we" is difficult, especially considering that in ver. 23 (which is clearly parallel) the subject of the sentence is, not "we," but "the Lord's mercies." Hence it is probable that the reading of the Targum and the Peshite (adopted by…
While we often read this verse as a simple declaration of God's enduring love, the original phrasing suggests a contrast: it's because God's mercies haven't ended that we haven't been utterly consumed by our suffering. This implies our circumstances are dire, but God's consistent, unfailing faithfulness has been the very thing holding destruction at bay.
After plumbing the depths of despair and personal suffering in the preceding verses, the prophet shifts focus. He recalls that despite the overwhelming destruction and exile, they are not completely destroyed, attributing this survival not to their own merit but to God's enduring steadfast love and unfailing mercy. This declaration of God's faithfulness marks the turning point of the chapter, the core of hope amidst utter ruin, before the prophet eventually returns to lamenting their dire situation.
After plumbing the depths of despair and personal suffering in the preceding verses, the prophet shifts focus. He recalls that despite the overwhelming destruction and exile, they are not completely destroyed, attributing this survival not to their own merit but to God's enduring steadfast love and unfailing mercy. This declaration of God's faithfulness marks the turning point of the chapter, the core of hope amidst utter ruin, before the prophet eventually returns to lamenting their dire situation.
"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”" — While we often read this verse as a simple declaration of God's enduring love, the original phrasing suggests a contrast: it's because God's mercies haven't ended that we haven't been utterly con…
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Last reviewed October 2026
