Lamentations 3:8

Old Testament Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Lamentations 3:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Yea, when I cry, and call for help, he shutteth out my prayer.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Yea, when I cry, and call for help, he shutteth out my prayer.
Lamentations 3:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Lamentations 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8Yea, when I cry, and call for help, he shutteth out my prayer.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Also when I cry and shout, etc.] Cry, because of the distress of the enemy within; “shout”, or cry aloud for help from others without; as persons in a prison do, to make them hear and pity their case: thus the prophet in his affliction cried aloud to God; was fervent, earnest, and importunate in prayer; and yet not heard: he shutteth out my prayer; shuts the door, that it may not enter; as the door is sometimes shut upon beggars, that their cry may not be heard. The Targum is, “the house of my prayer is shut.” Jarchi interprets it of the windows of the firmament being shut, so that his prayer could not pass through, or be heard; (see <250344>Lamentations 3:44). The phrase designs God’s…”
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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
“shutteth out--image from a door shutting out any entrance (Job 30:20). So the antitype. Christ (Psa 22:2).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Shout - i. e. call for help. Shutteth out - Or, “shutteth in.” God has so closed up the avenues to the place in which he is immured, that his voice can find no egress. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Lam 3:44; Job 19:7, Job 30:20; Psa 22:2, Psa 80:4; Hab 1:2; Mat 27:46 Lamentations 3:9”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification