Lamentations 3:38

Old Testament Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Lamentations 3:38 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Out of the mouth of the Most High cometh there not evil and good?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Out of the mouth of the Most High cometh there not evil and good?
Lamentations 3:38 — American Standard Version

Context — Lamentations 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
38Out of the mouth of the Most High cometh there not evil and good?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Out of the mouth of the most High proceed not evil and good?] Certainly they do; they come to pass, both one and the other, as God has pronounced, and his will determined; even “evils”, as it is in the plural number; not the evil of sin, or of fault; this comes not out of the mouth of God, but is forbidden and condemned by him; much less is he the author of it, or tempter to it; indeed it is not without his knowledge, nor in some sense without his will; not with his will of approbation, but by his permissive will, which he suffers to be, and overrules for good; but evils here design the judgments of God, or punishment inflicted on sinners, and chastisement on his own people; the evil of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“evil . . . good--Calamity and prosperity alike proceed from God (Job 2:10; Isa 45:7; Amo 3:6).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Why then does a loving God, who disapproves of suffering when inflicted by man upon man, Himself send sorrow and misery? “Because of sins.” Lamentations 3:37 Literally, “Who is this that spake and it was done, though אדני 'ădonāy commanded it not?” Lamentations 3:39 So long as God spares a man’s life, why does he complain? The chastisement is really for his good; only let him use it aright, and he will be thankful for it in the end. A man for the punishment of his sins - Translate: Let “each man sigh for,” i. e. because of, “his sins.” Instead of complaining because God sends him sorrow, let him rather mourn over the sins which have made punishment necessary. The sense of the King James…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Evil - Doth not evil or trouble come out of God's mouth from his direction, and providence, as well as good? Lamentations 3:39”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Job 2:10; Psa 75:7; Pro 29:26; Isa 45:7; Amo 3:6 Lamentations 3:39”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification