Lamentations 3

The central and longest poem is voiced by “the man who has seen affliction under the rod of his wrath,” who feels walled in, torn, and left in darkness, his hope perished. Then, at the very center of the book, memory turns to hope: “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ’The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ’therefore I will hope in him.’” On this ground he counsels waiting quietly for God’s salvation, bearing affliction, examining and returning to the LORD, confident that He does not cast off forever but shows compassion.