Lamentations 3:63

Old Testament Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Lamentations 3:63 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Behold thou their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their song.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Behold thou their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their song.
Lamentations 3:63 — American Standard Version

Context — Lamentations 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
63Behold thou their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their song.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Behold their sitting down, and their rising up, etc.] All their actions; the whole course of their lives; all which fell under the divine omniscience, (<19D902>Psalm 139:2); but that is not barely here meant; but that he would take particular notice hereof, and punish for the same. It may have respect both to their lying down at night, and rising in the morning; and to their sitting down at meals, and rising from them; at which times they were always meditating mischief against the people of God, or speaking opprobriously of them; when they made sport of them, as follows: I [am] their music; or “music maker” f96; as Samson was to the Philistines; the matter of their mirth; the subject 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
“sitting down . . . rising up--whether they sit or rise, that is, whether they be actively engaged or sedentary, and at rest "all the day" (Lam 3:62), I am the subject of their derisive songs (Lam 3:14).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“A prayer for deliverance and for vengeance upon his enemies. Lamentations 3:55 Out of the low dungeon - “The lowest pit” of Psalms 88:6. Some consider that Psalms 69:0 was composed by Jeremiah, and is the prayer referred to here (Jeremiah 38:6 note). Lamentations 3:56 Thou hast heard - In sending Ebedmelech to deliver me. The next clause signifies “Hide not thine ear to my relief to my cry,” i. e. to my cry for relief. Lamentations 3:58 God now appears as the prophet’s next of kin, pleading the lawsuits of his soul, i. e. the controversies which concern his salvation. and rescuing his life, in jeopardy through the malice of his enemies. Lamentations 3:59 Wrong - Done to him by the perversion…”
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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
“I am - At feasts, and at their merry meetings, I am all the subject of their discourse. Lamentations 3:66”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“their sitting: Psa 139:2 I am: Lam 3:14; Job 30:9 Lamentations 3:64”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification