Lamentations 3:40

“Let us search and try our ways, etc.] stead of murmuring and complaining, let us search for something that may support and comfort, teach and instruct, under afflictive providences; let us search into the love of God, which, though it cannot be fully searched out, it will be found to be from everlasting to everlasting; and that all afflictions spring from it; and that it continues notwithstanding them: let us search into the covenant of grace, in which provision is made for afflictions in case of disobedience, and for supports under them: let us search the Scriptures, which are written for our comfort; and it is much if we do not find some in the instances, examples, and experiences of other…”

“us--Jeremiah and his fellow countrymen in their calamity. search--as opposed to the torpor wherewith men rest only on their outward sufferings, without attending to the cause of them (Psa 139:23-24).”

“The prophet urges men to search out their faults and amend them. Lamentations 3:40 And turn again to the Lord - Or, “and return to Yahweh.” The prep. (to) in the Hebrew implies not half way, but the whole. Lamentations 3:41 Literally, “Let us lift up our heart unto our hands unto God in heaven;” as if the heart first lifted up the hands, and then with them mounted up in prayer to God. In real prayer the outward expression is caused by the emotion stirring within. return to 'Top of Page'”

“3:40-42 Repentance is the key to receiving salvation (Isa 1:27; Jer 3:22; Ezek 3:21).”

“search: Ch1 15:12, Ch1 15:13; Job 11:13-15, Job 34:31, Job 34:32; Psa 4:4, Psa 119:59, Psa 139:23, Psa 139:24; Eze 18:28; Hag 1:5-9; Co1 11:28, Co1 11:31; Co2 13:5 turn: Deu 4:30; Ch2 30:6, Ch2 30:9; Isa 55:7; Hos 6:1, Hos 12:6, Hos 14:1-3; Joe 2:12, Joe 2:13; Zac 1:3, Zac 1:4; Act 26:20 Lamentations 3:41”

“Confession of sins, and complaint against the cruelty of enemies, as well as over the deep misery into which all the people have sunk. Lam 3:40-42. The acknowledgment of guilt implies to prayer, to which also there is a summons in Lam 3:40, Lam 3:41. The transitional idea is not, "Instead of grumbling in a sinful spirit, let us rather examine our conduct" (Thenius); for the summons to examine one's conduct is thereby placed in contrast with Lam 3:39, and the thought, "let every one mourn over his own sins," transformed into a prohibition of sinful complaint. The real transition link is given by Rosenmller: quum mala nostra a peccatis nostris oriantur, culpas nostras et scrutemur et…”