Lamentations 3:22-23 Text
King James Version (KJV)
It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
World English Bible (WEB)
It is because of Yahweh’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn’t fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.
What Lamentations 3:22-23 Means
These lines are famous as a morning encouragement, yet they were written in the middle of ruin. The writer is not describing a pleasant day; he says the people have not been completely wiped out only because of the Lord's steadfast love. The Hebrew word often translated mercies or loving kindnesses is hesed, a loyal, covenant kind of love that keeps its promises. Compassions that never fail and are new every morning suggests that each day carries fresh supply, not a stockpile used up by yesterday. The WEB and KJV agree closely here. A common misreading treats the verse as a cheerful slogan that skips over pain, but the surrounding poem is raw with grief. Hope in this passage is deliberately chosen, spoken by someone who has just listed his sorrows and then decides to remember something else. Faithfulness is described as great, not as easy to feel.
Context of Lamentations 3:22-23
Lamentations is a set of five poems mourning the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon in 586 BC. Tradition attributes it to the prophet Jeremiah, though the book itself does not name an author. This verse sits in the center of the third poem, which begins in bitter complaint, then turns toward hope, and later returns to pleading for the Lord to act. To read the whole book, see random verse from Lamentations.
How to Apply Lamentations 3:22-23
On a rough morning, try treating the new day as a small gift not earned by yesterday's performance. You can pray a brief sentence of thanks without hiding the sadness underneath. If your grief is heavy, borrowing the honest tone of this book may help more than forcing a cheerful mood.
Related Verses
- Psalm 30:5 – For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
- Psalm 136:1 – O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
- Isaiah 40:31 – But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
- Psalm 143:8 – Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
Looking for more verses on this theme? Browse Bible Verses About Hope, each with a short note on its context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does his mercies are new every morning mean?
It means God's steady love is not used up. Each day brings a fresh measure of care, however difficult the previous day was. The writer says this while grieving a national disaster, so it is hope held alongside sorrow, not a denial of it.
Who wrote Lamentations 3:22-23?
The book is anonymous, but Jewish and Christian tradition has long attributed it to the prophet Jeremiah, who lived through Jerusalem's fall. Scholars discuss this, and the text itself does not settle the question. Either way, it was written by someone who witnessed the aftermath.
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