Question 1

Who is the “man that hath seen affliction” at the start of this passage?

Accepted Answer

The “man that hath seen affliction” is the prophet speaking in a very personal way. He has gone through deep suffering as part of God’s judgment on his people. He has felt God’s hand heavy on him, like being led into darkness, trapped, and attacked. He speaks as someone who has carried the pain of his own trials and also the sorrow of his nation. In his words you hear both his personal story and the shared grief of God’s people.

Question 2

What does it mean that God’s mercies are new every morning?

Accepted Answer

When the writer says God’s mercies are new every morning, he is not talking about an easy life. He has just described terrible pain, bitterness, and the feeling that his hope has died. Yet he remembers that they are not completely destroyed, and that is only because God still shows mercy. “New every morning” means God keeps on giving fresh compassion day by day. Even when yesterday was full of tears, each new day is another chance to receive help from him.

Question 3

Why does the writer say God has shut out his prayer?

Accepted Answer

The writer says, “when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer,” to describe how it feels when he prays and nothing seems to change. In his experience, it is like God has put a wall between them so his prayers cannot get through. This is a common feeling in hard times, when answers are delayed. The passage does not end there, though. Later he says, “Thou hast heard my voice,” showing that even when God seems silent for a time, he still hears and can draw near again.

Question 4

What does “great is thy faithfulness” mean in this passage?

Accepted Answer

“Great is thy faithfulness” comes right after a long section of grief. The writer has felt old, broken, trapped, mocked, and without peace. Then he remembers God’s character. God does not let his people be completely consumed. His compassions do not fail. To say “great is thy faithfulness” is to admit that, despite all the pain and deserved discipline for sin, God still keeps his promises, still preserves a remnant, and still offers hope to those who turn back to him.

Question 5

How should a person “hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord”?

Accepted Answer

To hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord means choosing to trust God’s help while staying humble and patient under his hand. The writer talks about bearing the yoke in youth, sitting alone in silence, putting his mouth in the dust, and even giving his cheek to those who strike him. This shows a heart that stops fighting against God, accepts his discipline, and keeps looking to him. It is not noisy or demanding, but a steady, quiet trust that God will act in his time.

Question 6

What does this passage teach about why God allows affliction?

Accepted Answer

The passage shows that God’s hand in affliction is real, but it also says, “he doth not afflict willingly.” God does not enjoy hurting people. The suffering described comes because of sin and rebellion, and it acts as chastening. It is meant to correct, not to destroy. The writer admits, “We have transgressed and have rebelled,” and then calls people to search and try their ways and turn again to the Lord. Affliction becomes a severe but loving tool that leads to repentance and renewed mercy.

Question 7

Why does the writer ask, “Why doth a living man complain”?

Accepted Answer

When he says, “Why doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?” he is reminding himself and others that even in hard judgment, they are still alive. They have not been wiped out, which itself is mercy. Instead of endless complaining, they should see their suffering as connected to their sins and respond with self-examination and turning back to God. The point is not to deny the pain, but to move from grumbling to honest repentance and renewed trust.

Question 8

How does this passage move from despair to hope?

Accepted Answer

At first the writer feels completely crushed. He says God has broken his bones, shut out his prayer, and made him forget what peace feels like. He thinks his strength and hope are gone. The turning point comes when he chooses to remember: his affliction humbles him, but then he recalls God’s mercy, compassion, and faithfulness. From there he can say, “The Lord is my portion… therefore will I hope in him.” The outward trouble does not vanish, but inside, despair gives way to quiet hope.

Question 9

What does this passage teach about prayer in dark times?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that prayer in dark times is often messy and honest. The writer cries out, feels ignored, and even says God has covered himself with a cloud so that prayer cannot pass through. Yet he keeps calling on God’s name, even “out of the low dungeon.” Later he can say, “Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.” So the lesson is that you may feel blocked and unheard, but you should still keep praying. In time God can draw near and answer.

Lamentations 3:1

I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.

The Prophet’s Afflictions

The Prophet’s Hope

God’s Justice

The Prophet’s Afflictions

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Lamentations 3:1

I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.

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The Prophet’s Afflictions

The Prophet’s Hope

God’s Justice

The Prophet’s Afflictions

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