“You will repay them, O LORD, according to the work of their hands.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Lamentations 3:64
What does Lamentations 3:64 mean?
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Lamentations 3:64
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While it sounds like a plea for vengeance, the repetition of "render unto them" here, often translated as a command, is actually a prophecy in the original language. This shifts the focus from Jeremiah demanding retribution to him declaring God's inevitable justice upon those who have wronged His people.
“You will repay them, O LORD, according to the work of their hands.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After the prophet has poured out his deepest anguish and confessed his people's sins, he shifts to calling for divine justice against those who inflicted such suffering. These final verses of the chapter echo sentiments found in the Psalms, asking God to repay the enemies for their cruel actions, recognizing that God's judgment will be just and proportionate to their deeds.
Ever feel like someone 'gets away with it'? This verse speaks directly to that ache for fairness.
The prophet Jeremiah cries out to God, asking for a repayment that perfectly matches the actions of those who wronged him and his people. This isn't about petty revenge; it's about God's perfect justice.
A Moral Order
Jeremiah is reminding God of the moral order He established. Just as our actions have consequences in this life, God's justice ensures that every deed will ultimately be accounted for. This is about accountability on a cosmic scale.
Retribution vs. Justice
While the word can sound harsh, "recompense" here points to a just settlement. It's not about inflicting pain for pain's sake, but about a righteous response that aligns with the deeds done. God's justice is both firm and fair.
Is Jeremiah begging God for action, or declaring what God will do?
There's a fascinating nuance in how this verse is understood. Some translations read it as a prayer – a petition. Jeremiah is asking God to act.
The Future Tense
However, many scholars point out that the original language and some ancient translations render the verbs in the future tense. This shifts the tone dramatically. It becomes less of a plea and more of a prophetic declaration: God will repay.
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Faith in Action
This interpretation highlights Jeremiah's unwavering faith. Even in the depths of despair, he knows God's character and trusts that divine justice will ultimately prevail. He’s not just hoping for it; he's proclaiming it.
Understand the original words
gemul · Hebrew Noun
A manifestation of the moral/judicial law where God returns to individuals the consequences of their deeds. It is grounded in God's righteousness and justice as the ultimate Judge.
This verse echoes the anguish of the Jerusalem destruction and exile, but also reflects a broader biblical theme of divine justice found in Psalms and prophetic oracles. It's a cry for vindication rooted in the deep pain of seeing evil seemingly triumph, a sentiment amplified by the devastating Babylonian conquest.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
King Sennacherib of Assyria besieged Jerusalem, a significant military event that brought terror and devastation to Judah.
597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deported thousands of Jews, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon.
587/586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Babylonian forces destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, marking a catastrophic end to the kingdom of Judah and leading to widespread exile.
c. 580 BC
Prophetic Oracles Against Babylon
Prophets like Jeremiah issued strong condemnations against Babylon, foretelling its future judgment for its cruelty and oppression.
c. 540 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus the Great began his conquests, setting the stage for the eventual Persian overthrow of Babylon.
539 BC
Conquest of Babylon by Persia
Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon, ushering in a new era and paving the way for the return of the exiles.
This Psalm directly echoes the sentiment of Lamentations 3:64, asking God to 'render to them the wages of their work' and repay them for their deeds.
Jeremiah 18:23In this passage, Jeremiah prays for God to bring judgment upon his enemies, specifically asking God to 'render their recompense upon their own head,' a powerful parallel to the plea in Lamentations.
2 Timothy 4:14The Apostle Paul directly quotes Lamentations 3:64 when warning about Alexander the coppersmith, asking the Lord to 'repay him according to his works,' showing how this verse was understood as a principle of divine justice.
Matthew 16:27Jesus teaches a similar principle when He states that the Son of Man will repay each according to what he has done, highlighting the consistent biblical theme of accountability for one's actions.
pooleLamentations 3:64: "Render unto them a recompence, O LORD, according to the work of their hands."
These three last verses are all but the same general petition, though expressed in various phrases; the prophet had prayed, Lamentations 3:59 , that God would judge his people’s cause, here he prayeth that he would also judge his enemies, he only desireth justice against them, a recompence of the work of their hands.
pulpitLamentations 3:64: "Render unto them a recompence, O LORD, according to the work of their hands."
Verse 64. - Render unto them, etc. The sacred poet is familiar with the psalms; here we have a condensation of Psalm 28:4. The tone of vers. 64-66 reminds us of passages in the Book of Jeremiah (see Jeremiah 18:23; Jeremiah 20:12);
While it sounds like a plea for vengeance, the repetition of "render unto them" here, often translated as a command, is actually a prophecy in the original language. This shifts the focus from Jeremiah demanding retribution to him declaring God's inevitable justice upon those who have wronged His people.
After the prophet has poured out his deepest anguish and confessed his people's sins, he shifts to calling for divine justice against those who inflicted such suffering. These final verses of the chapter echo sentiments found in the Psalms, asking God to repay the enemies for their cruel actions, recognizing that God's judgment will be just and proportionate to their deeds.
After the prophet has poured out his deepest anguish and confessed his people's sins, he shifts to calling for divine justice against those who inflicted such suffering. These final verses of the chapter echo sentiments found in the Psalms, asking God to repay the enemies for their cruel actions, recognizing that God's judgment will be just and proportionate to their deeds.
"“You will repay them, O LORD, according to the work of their hands." — While it sounds like a plea for vengeance, the repetition of "render unto them" here, often translated as a command, is actually a prophecy in the original language. This shifts the focus from Jeremi…
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Last reviewed October 2026