Lamentations 3:32-33

Context

3:32 Though he causes us¹ grief, he then has compassion on us²

according to the abundance of his loyal kindness.³

3:33 For he is not predisposed to afflict⁴

or to grieve people.⁵

[3:32] ¹tn Heb “Although he has caused grief.” The word “us” is added in the translation.

[3:32] ²tn Heb “He will have compassion.” The words “on us” are added in the translation.

[3:32] ³tc The Kethib preserves the singular form חַסְדּוֹ (khasdo, “his kindness”), also reflected in the LXX and Aramaic Targum. The Qere reads the plural form חֲסָדָיו (khasadayv, “his kindnesses”) which is reflected in the Latin Vulgate.

[3:33] ⁴tn Heb “he does not afflict from his heart.” The term לֵבָב (levav, “heart”) preceded by the preposition מִן (min) most often describes one’s initiative or motivation, e.g. “of one’s own accord” (Num. 16:28; 24:13; Deut. 4:9; 1Kings 12:33; Neh. 6:8; Job 8:10; Is. 59:13; Ezek. 13:2, 17). It is not God’s internal motivation to bring calamity and trouble upon people.

[3:33] ⁵tn Heb “sons of men.”