Lamentations 3:19 - Remember my affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the bitterness.

Generated Verse: Lamentations 3:19

What does "Lamentations 3:19" mean?


Lamentations 3:19, "Remember my affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the bitterness," is a powerful expression of profound suffering and despair. Let's break down what it means:

"Remember my affliction and my misery..." This is a plea to God (or to whomever the speaker is addressing, though typically understood to be God) not to forget the speaker's hardship. "Affliction" (עָנְיִי - onyi) refers to the state of being afflicted, humbled, or humiliated. "Misery" (תְּרוּדִי - terudi) speaks to wandering, hardship, and distress. The speaker is asking God to keep their suffering in mind. This isn't just about recalling a past event; it's about recognizing the ongoing impact of the pain.

"...the wormwood and the bitterness." This is a metaphorical description of the speaker's suffering.
Wormwood (לַעֲנָה - laanah) is a bitter herb, known for its unpleasant and intensely bitter taste. It symbolizes the intensely painful and distasteful experiences the speaker has endured.
Bitterness (רֹאשׁ - rosh) often refers to poison or something extremely bitter and toxic. It represents the deeply unpleasant and even destructive nature of the suffering.

Therefore, the verse as a whole signifies:

Intense suffering: The speaker has experienced profound hardship, misery, and pain.
Deep-seated bitterness: This suffering has left the speaker with a deep sense of bitterness and a negative emotional state.
A plea for remembrance: The speaker is asking for their suffering to be acknowledged and remembered, perhaps hoping for understanding, compassion, or even intervention.

In the context of Lamentations:

The book of Lamentations is a series of poems lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of the people of Judah after the Babylonian conquest. This verse comes from a section where the author, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, is reflecting on his own personal suffering, which mirrors the collective suffering of the nation. It highlights the raw pain, the sense of abandonment, and the desperate longing for God's attention and mercy amidst overwhelming despair. Although filled with pain, it's also a powerful testament to the enduring faith and hope that God will remember, even in the darkest of times.

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