Lamentations 3:56
Lamentations 3:56 in Multiple Translations
You heard my plea: “Do not ignore my cry for relief.”
Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.
Thou heardest my voice; hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.
My voice came to you; let not your ear be shut to my breathing, to my cry.
You heard me when I prayed, “Please don't ignore my cry for help.”
Thou hast heard my voyce: stoppe not thine eare from my sigh and from my cry.
My voice Thou hast heard, Hide not Thine ear at my breathing — at my cry.
You heard my voice: “Don’t hide your ear from my sighing, and my cry.”
Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thy ear at my breathing, at my cry.
Coph. Thou hast heard my voice: turn not away thy ear from my sighs, and cries.
I pleaded with you, “Do not refuse to heed [MTY] me while I cry out to you!”
Berean Amplified Bible — Lamentations 3:56
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Lamentations 3:56 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
קוֹלִ֖/י
שָׁמָ֑עְתָּ
אַל
תַּעְלֵ֧ם
אָזְנְ/ךָ֛
לְ/רַוְחָתִ֖/י
לְ/שַׁוְעָתִֽ/י
קוֹלִ֖/י
qôwl
H6963
voice
N-ms | Suff
שָׁמָ֑עְתָּ
shâmaʻ
H8085
to hear
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
אַל
ʼal
H408
not
Part
תַּעְלֵ֧ם
ʻâlam
H5956
to conceal
V-Hiphil-Juss-2ms
אָזְנְ/ךָ֛
ʼôzen
H241
ear
N-fs | Suff
לְ/רַוְחָתִ֖/י
rᵉvâchâh
H7309
relief
Prep | N-fs | Suff
לְ/שַׁוְעָתִֽ/י
shavʻâh
H7775
cry
Prep | N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Lamentations 3:56
קוֹלִ֖/י
qôwl
H6963
"voice"
N-ms | Suff
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)
Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.
שָׁמָ֑עְתָּ
shâmaʻ
H8085
"to hear"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound
Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.
אַל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
תַּעְלֵ֧ם
ʻâlam
H5956
"to conceal"
V-Hiphil-Juss-2ms
This Hebrew word means to hide or conceal something from view. It appears in various forms, including being hidden or keeping a secret. In the Bible, it is used to describe hiding oneself or something from others.
Definition: 1) to conceal, hide, be hidden, be concealed, be secret 1a) (Qal) secret (participle) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be concealed 1b2) concealed, dissembler (participle) 1c) (Hiphil) to conceal, hide 1d) (Hithpael) to hide oneself
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any ways, blind, dissembler, hide (self), secret (thing). See also: Leviticus 4:13; Job 6:16; Psalms 10:1.
אָזְנְ/ךָ֛
ʼôzen
H241
"ear"
N-fs | Suff
The Hebrew word for ear, referring to the body part or the ability to hear, is used in various contexts, including listening to God's voice in Psalm 40:6. It can also mean to uncover or reveal something, as in 1 Samuel 20:2.
Definition: : ear 1) ear, as part of the body 2) ear, as organ of hearing 3) (subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation
Usage: Occurs in 179 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] advertise, audience, [phrase] displease, ear, hearing, [phrase] show. See also: Genesis 20:8; Psalms 40:7; Psalms 10:17.
לְ/רַוְחָתִ֖/י
rᵉvâchâh
H7309
"relief"
Prep | N-fs | Suff
This Hebrew word means relief or respite, and is used in the Bible to describe a time of rest or breathing room, as seen in the book of Genesis.
Definition: respite, relief
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: breathing, respite. See also: Exodus 8:11; Lamentations 3:56.
לְ/שַׁוְעָתִֽ/י
shavʻâh
H7775
"cry"
Prep | N-fs | Suff
This word means to cry out for help, like a loud cry for assistance. It is used to describe a desperate call for aid. In the Bible, it is translated as crying.
Definition: cry for help
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: crying. See also: Exodus 2:23; Psalms 39:13; Psalms 18:7.
Study Notes — Lamentations 3:56
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Lamentations 3:56 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 3:56
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 3:56
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 3:56
- Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 3:56
- Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 3:56
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Lamentations 3:56
- Cambridge Bible on Lamentations 3:56
- Whedon's Commentary on Lamentations 3:56
- Sermons on Lamentations 3:56
Context — God’s Justice
54The waters flowed over my head, and I thought I was going to die.
55I called on Your name, O LORD, out of the depths of the Pit.
56You heard my plea: “Do not ignore my cry for relief.”
57You drew near when I called on You; You said, “Do not be afraid.” 58You defend my cause, O Lord; You redeem my life.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 38:5 | “Go and tell Hezekiah that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. |
| 2 | Job 34:28 | They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted. |
| 3 | Psalms 6:8–9 | Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for the LORD has heard my weeping. The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer. |
| 4 | Psalms 55:1 | Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not ignore my plea. |
| 5 | Psalms 34:6 | This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles. |
| 6 | Psalms 3:4 | To the LORD I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy mountain. Selah |
| 7 | Psalms 66:19 | But God has surely heard; He has attended to the sound of my prayer. |
| 8 | Romans 8:26 | In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. |
| 9 | Psalms 88:13–14 | But to You, O LORD, I cry for help; in the morning my prayer comes before You. Why, O LORD, do You reject me? Why do You hide Your face from me? |
| 10 | 2 Chronicles 33:13 | And when he prayed to Him, the LORD received his plea and heard his petition; so He brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God. |
Lamentations 3:56 Summary
Lamentations 3:56 is a beautiful expression of trust in God's faithfulness and mercy. The psalmist is saying, 'God, please don't ignore my cry for help - I need You to hear me and rescue me.' This verse reminds us that we can always cry out to God for help, and He will hear us, as promised in Jeremiah 33:3, which says, 'Call to Me, and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' We can trust that God is a loving and merciful God who cares about our needs and will respond to our cries for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to cry out to God for relief in Lamentations 3:56?
Crying out to God for relief means to earnestly and sincerely ask for His help and intervention in a time of need, as seen in Psalms 107:6 and Psalms 107:28, where people cried out to God in their troubles and He saved them.
How can we be sure God hears our pleas for help?
We can be sure God hears our pleas because He is a loving and merciful God, as stated in Psalms 116:1, which says, 'I love the LORD, because He hears my voice and my pleas for mercy.'
What is the significance of saying 'Do not ignore my cry for relief' in Lamentations 3:56?
Saying 'Do not ignore my cry for relief' is a heartfelt expression of the psalmist's desperation and trust in God's character, as seen in Deuteronomy 31:6, where God promises to never leave or forsake His people.
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Lamentations?
This verse relates to the overall theme of Lamentations by showcasing the psalmist's trust in God's faithfulness and mercy, even in the midst of great suffering and despair, as expressed in Lamentations 3:22-23, which says, 'Because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end.'
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have felt like crying out to God for relief, and how did I respond?
- How does knowing that God hears my pleas for help affect my prayer life and my relationship with Him?
- In what ways can I express my trust in God's character and faithfulness, even when faced with difficult circumstances?
- What are some ways I can remember and reflect on God's past faithfulness in my life, as a way of strengthening my trust in Him?
Gill's Exposition on Lamentations 3:56
Thou hast heard my voice,.... Either in times past, when he cried unto him, and was delivered; and this was an encouragement to call upon him again in such extremity, who had shown himself to be a
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Lamentations 3:56
I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon. I called upon thy name ... out of the low dungeon. Thus the spirit resists the flesh, and faith spurns the temptation (Calvin; Psalms 130:1; Jonah 2:2). Verse 56.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Lamentations 3:56
I in former great afflictions applied myself unto thee, and thou didst hear me; show me now the same favour. Our former experiences of God’ s goodness to us in hearing our prayers ought to hold up our hands in prayer, mid beget a confidence in us that we, persisting in our duty, shall find God the same God, yesterday, this day, and for ever.
Trapp's Commentary on Lamentations 3:56
Lamentations 3:56 Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.Ver. 56. Thou hast heard my voice.] Seem a man’ s case never so desperate, if he can but find a praying heart, God will find a pitying heart. Prayer is the best lever at a dead lift. Hide not thine ear at my breathing.] As breathing is a proof of animal life, so is prayer, though never so weak, of spiritual. If therefore you cannot speak, weep - fietu saepe agitur non affatu, tears also have a voice; if you cannot weep, sigh - a storm of sighs may do as much as a shower of tears; if you cannot sigh, yet breathe, as here. God feels breath; and happy is he that can say, In te spero et respiro, In thee I hope, Lord, and after thee I breathe or pant.
Ellicott's Commentary on Lamentations 3:56
(56) Thou hast heard . . . hide not thine . . .—There is something eminently suggestive in the sequence of the two clauses. The recollection that prayer was answered in the past, prompts its utterance in the present. Historically, the words may point to the intervention of Ebed-melech in Jeremiah 38:7. At my breathing—i.e., the “sighs” or “sobs” of the mourner.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Lamentations 3:56
Verse 56. Hide not thine ear at my breathing] He dared not even to complain, nor to cry, nor to pray aloud: he was obliged to whisper his prayer to God. It was only a breathing.
Cambridge Bible on Lamentations 3:56
56. The word rendered “breathing” occurs but once elsewhere (Exodus 8:15 [Heb. Lamentations 3:11]), and has there the sense of respite, relief. Accordingly Ewald proposes (by a change of one consonant) to render my cry, and consider “at my cry” to be a gloss.
Whedon's Commentary on Lamentations 3:56
56. Hide not, etc. — Literally, hide not thine ear to my relief, to my cry: that is, turn not away from my cry.
Sermons on Lamentations 3:56
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Breathing of the Soul by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the pastor emphasizes the importance of revival and awakening in the church. He shares personal experiences of how prayer and seeking God's presence can lead to a p |
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Tears Have a Voice by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes that tears carry a profound voice, as God pays attention to both our weeping and our prayers. He illustrates that penitent tears serve as divine ambassador |
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I Have Seen Your Tears by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the power of tears in the lives of God's people, illustrating how their heartfelt cries can move God to action. He reflects on the message from 2 Kings 20: |
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Your Enemies Will Leave Suddenly and Ashamed by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that even righteous individuals can lose their discernment and be challenged by God. He highlights the importance of being able to hear the |
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Crying Unto Jesus by Samuel Rutherford | Samuel Rutherford preaches on the fervent and intense prayers of the Syro-Phoenician woman in Matthew 15:22, highlighting the importance of urgent prayer that is filled with need, |
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Tears Have Tongues by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound power of tears in his sermon 'Tears Have Tongues,' illustrating that tears are not silent but rather have a voice that reaches the ears of God |
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Fearfulness in the Presence of the Lord by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of faith and trust in God's plan. He uses the story of Gideon from the book of Judges to illustrate this point. Gideon was called |