Lamentations 3: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Lamentations 3 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

The speaker begins by describing personal affliction. He feels led into darkness and surrounded by bitterness (vv. 1-9). The depth of his despair is evident as he expresses feelings of being broken and shut off from peace and hope (vv. 10-18). Then, he recalls that it is because of Yahweh’s loving kindnesses that he is not consumed, noting 'great is your faithfulness' (vv. 19-24). He states that waiting for Yahweh is good and encourages patience in bearing burdens (vv. 25-30). The speaker acknowledges God’s justice, saying God does not afflict willingly and does not approve of wrong actions (vv. 31-39). Finally, he calls for reflection and justice, admitting past transgressions and asking Yahweh to judge his cause and to see the plans against him (vv. 40-66).

Key verse

“It is because of Yahweh’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn’t fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 (WEB)

Outline

Lamentations 3:1–9 Personal Affliction Described
Lamentations 3:10–18 The Depth of Despair
Lamentations 3:19–24 Shift to Hope
Lamentations 3:25–30 The Value of Patience
Lamentations 3:31–39 God’s Justice and Discipline
Lamentations 3:40–66 A Call for Reflection and Justice

Discussion questions

In v3, what does the author mean by 'turns his hand against me'?
What does the phrase 'he has made my chain heavy' in v7 convey about the author's situation?
In vv. 22-24, how does the shift in tone affect the understanding of hope?
In v33, what does it mean that 'he does not afflict willingly'?
When have you felt like you were in 'dark places' as described in v6?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Lamentations 3: Jeremiah 29, Isaiah 40, 2 Chronicles 7.

Before next time: read Lamentations 4.