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Lamentation and Trust in God's Sovereignty

Lamentation, an elegy or dirge, is a form of poetry found in the Bible, exemplified by David's lament over Saul and Jonathan (2 Sam. 1:17-27) and over Abner (2 Sam. 3:33-34) [7]. It often accompanies mourning and can also appear in prophecy when foretelling calamity [7]. The book of Lamentations itself provides a profound example of this genre, expressing deep sorrow and distress while simultaneously affirming trust in God's sovereignty.

The book of Lamentations, particularly chapter 3, illustrates how lament can coexist with an affirmation of divine control. The prophet acknowledges the severity of suffering, yet calls for introspection and a return to God: "Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to Yahweh" [1]. This turning involves lifting "our heart with our hands to God in the heavens" [3]. Even amidst profound judgment, repentance and prayer are presented as appropriate responses [12].

A key theme in Lamentations is the steadfastness of God's mercy despite present affliction. Lamentations 3:26 states, "It is good both to trust, and to waite for the saluation of the Lord" [4]. This trust is rooted in the understanding that God remains the ultimate "portion" and the sole foundation of hope [10, 15]. The perpetuity of God's rule over human affairs, even when His people are oppressed, serves as the ground for hope of restoration [16]. The prophet Jeremiah, in Lamentations, cites God's gracious answers to his prayers as an encouragement for his countrymen to trust in Him [14].

The Psalms also frequently demonstrate this intertwining of lament and trust. Psalm 25, for instance, is an individual lament that begins and ends with an affirmation of trust in the Lord [11]. The psalmist prays for guidance and confesses sins, understanding that trust develops through comprehending God's compassionate, faithful, and good character [11]. Similarly, Psalm 62:7 declares, "In God is my saluation and my glory, the rocke of my strength: in God is my trust" [2]. John Gill notes that the psalmist's faith, hope, and comfort can grow through prayer, moving from complaint to belief, trusting in God's mercy rather than self [13].

Biblical figures and texts consistently highlight the importance of resignation to God's will and sovereignty. Christ himself set an example of resignation in Gethsemane (Mt 26:39-44) [5]. Believers are commanded to exhibit submission to God's will and His sovereign purposes (Ps 37:7; 46:10; Rom 9:20-21) [5]. This submission extends to various trials, including the prospect of death, loss of possessions, loss of children, chastisements, and bodily suffering (Job 1:15-21; Heb 12:9; Job 2:8-10) [5].

Even in affliction, God is depicted as being with His saints, serving as their refuge, strength, and comforter (Ps 46:5,7; Isa 43:2; 2Co 1:4-5) [8]. He preserves and delivers them [8]. Christ also supports and comforts the afflicted (Joh 14:18; Mt 11:28-30) [8]. This divine presence and care provide a basis for hope, which is described as being in God, in Christ, and in God's promises [9]. This hope is a work of the Holy Spirit, obtained through grace, the Word, and faith, and is characterized as good, lively, sure, steadfast, and gladdening [9].

The "full assurance of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a complete faith in God that leaves no room for doubt, while the "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an unwavering conviction in the truth of Scripture [6]. This assurance, rooted in God's character and promises, allows for lament to be expressed without abandoning trust in His ultimate control and goodness.

Sources

  1. Lamentations “Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to Yahweh. -- Lamentations 3:40”
  2. Psalms “Psalms 62:7 (Geneva1599) — In God is my saluation and my glory, the rocke of my strength: in God is my trust.”
  3. Lamentations “Let us lift up our heart with our hands to God in the heavens. -- Lamentations 3:41”
  4. Lamentations “Lamentations 3:26 (Geneva1599) — It is good both to trust, and to waite for the saluation of the Lord.”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
  7. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Lamentation — (Heb. qinah), an elegy or dirge. The first example of this form of poetry is the lament of David over Saul and Jonathan (2 Sam. 1:17-27). It was a frequent accompaniment of mourning (Amos 8:10). In 2 Sam. 3:33, 34 is recorded David's lament over Abner. Prophecy sometimes took the form of a lament when it predicted calamity (Ezek. 27:2, 32; 28:12; 32:2, 16).”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted Saints — God is with -- Ps 46:5,7; Isa 43:2. God is a refuge and strength to -- Ps 27:5,6; Isa 25:4; Jer 16:19; Na 1:7. God comforts -- Isa 49:13; Jer 31:13; Mt 5:4; 2Co 1:4,5; 7:6. God preserves -- Ps 34:20. God delivers -- Ps 34:4,19; Pr 12:13; Jer 39:17,18. Christ is with -- Joh 14:18. Christ supports -- 2Ti 4:17; Heb 2:18. Christ comforts -- Isa 61:2; Mt 11:28-30; Lu 7:13; Joh 14:1; 16:33. Christ preserves -- Isa 63:9; Lu 21:18. Christ delivers -- Re 3:10. Should praise God -- Ps 13:5,6; 56:8-10; 57:6,7; 71:20-23. Should imitate Christ -- Heb 12:1-3; 1P”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hope — In God -- Ps 39:7; 1Pe 1:21. In Christ -- 1Co 15:19; 1Ti 1:1. In God's promises -- Ac 26:6,7; Tit 1:2. In the mercy of God -- Ps 33:18. Is the work of the Holy Spirit -- Ro 15:13; Ga 5:5. Obtained through Grace. -- 2Th 2:16. The word. -- Ps 119:81. Patience and comfort of the Scriptures. -- Ro 15:4. The gospel. -- Col 1:5,23. Faith. -- Ro 5:1,2; Ga 5:5. The result of experience -- Ro 5:4. A better hope brought in by Christ -- Heb 7:19. Described as Good. -- 2Th 2:16. Lively. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure and steadfast. -- Heb 6:19. Gladdening. -- Pr 10:28. Blessed. -- Tit ”
  10. Lamentations (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Lamentations 3:24: (Num 18:20; Psa 16:5; Psa 73:26; Psa 119:57; Jer 10:16). To have God for our portion is the one only foundation of hope.”
  11. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 25:1: Ps 25 This individual lament includes instruction in wisdom and a community lament; it begins and ends with an affirmation of trust in the Lord (25:1-3, 15-22). The psalmist prays for guidance (25:4-7) and encourages the godly to practice a lifestyle of wisdom (25:12-14). In addition to the enemies who trouble him, the psalmist confesses his sins (25:7, 11, 18) as part of his anguish. Trust develops with understanding God’s character: He is compassionate, faithful, and good (25:8-10). 25:1-3 The psalmist expresses confidence that the godly will be vindicated and h”
  12. Lamentations (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Lamentations 2:18: 2:18-19 Repentance and prayer are the proper responses when facing the devastation of God’s judgment.”
  13. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 13:5: But I have trusted in thy mercy,.... The faith, hope, and comfort of the psalmist grew and increased by prayer; from complaining he goes to praying, from praying to believing; he trusted not in himself, not in his own heart, nor in his own righteousness and merits, but in the mercy of God; and not in the bare absolute mercy of God, but in the grace and goodness of God, as the word (x) here used signifies, as it is displayed in the plenteous redemption which is by Christ; which is a sufficient ground of faith and hope; see Psa 130:7; my heart shall rejoice in thy sal”
  14. Lamentations (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Lamentations 3:58: Jeremiah cites God's gracious answers to his prayers as an encouragement to his fellow countrymen, to trust in Him. pleaded-- (Psa 35:1; Mic 7:9).”
  15. Lamentations (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Lamentations 3:18: from the Lord--that is, my hope derived from Him (Psa 31:22).”
  16. Lamentations (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Lamentations 5:19: (Psa 102:12). The perpetuity of God's rule over human affairs, however He may seem to let His people be oppressed for a time, is their ground of hope of restoration.”
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