The LORD is goodThis phrase emphasizes the inherent goodness of God, a central theme throughout Scripture. In the context of Lamentations, written during the aftermath of Jerusalem's destruction, it serves as a reminder of God's unchanging nature despite present suffering. The goodness of the Lord is a recurring theme in the Psalms (e.g.,
Psalm 34:8, "Taste and see that the LORD is good") and is foundational to understanding His character. This goodness is not merely an abstract quality but is demonstrated through His actions and promises.
to those who wait for Him
Waiting on the Lord implies a posture of trust and patience, often in the face of adversity. In the historical context of Lamentations, the Israelites were experiencing the consequences of their disobedience, yet they were encouraged to wait for God's deliverance. This concept is echoed inIsaiah 40:31, where those who wait on the Lord renew their strength. Waiting is an active, hopeful anticipation of God's intervention, reflecting a deep faith in His timing and sovereignty.
to the soul who seeks Him
Seeking God involves a deliberate and earnest pursuit of His presence and will. This phrase underscores the importance of a personal relationship with God, characterized by prayer, study, and obedience. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, seeking God was often associated with worship and adherence to the covenant. The call to seek God is a common biblical exhortation, as seen inJeremiah 29:13, "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." This pursuit is not in vain, as it aligns with God's promise to reveal Himself to those who earnestly seek Him.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jeremiah- Traditionally considered the author of Lamentations, Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet" due to his deep sorrow over the destruction of Jerusalem.
2.
Jerusalem- The city that faced destruction and exile, which is the backdrop for the lamentations and expressions of grief found in this book.
3.
The LORD (Yahweh)- The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is central to the hope and restoration themes in Lamentations.
4.
The Exile- The period of Babylonian captivity that serves as the historical context for the book, highlighting themes of judgment and hope.
5.
The Remnant- The faithful few who continue to seek God despite the national calamity, representing hope and future restoration.
Teaching Points
The Goodness of GodGod's inherent goodness is a foundational truth that provides hope and assurance, even in times of distress.
The Importance of WaitingWaiting on the Lord is an active expression of faith and trust, requiring patience and perseverance.
Seeking God with IntentionActively seeking God involves prayer, study, and a heart posture of dependence on Him.
Hope in Times of DespairEven in the darkest times, believers can find hope in God's promises and character.
Faithful RemnantGod honors those who remain faithful and seek Him, even when the majority turn away.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Lamentations 3:25?
2.How does Lamentations 3:25 encourage us to wait patiently for the Lord's help?
3.What does "good to those who wait" reveal about God's character?
4.How can we apply Lamentations 3:25 in times of personal trials?
5.Which other Bible verses emphasize waiting on the Lord's timing?
6.How does trusting in God's goodness strengthen our faith during hardships?
7.How does Lamentations 3:25 reflect God's nature in times of suffering?
8.What historical context influenced the message of Lamentations 3:25?
9.How does Lamentations 3:25 challenge our understanding of divine justice?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Lamentations 3?
11.What is the Bible's perspective on waiting?
12.What does waiting on the Lord mean?
13.What is the Bible's perspective on waiting?
14.Who is known as the Weeping Prophet?What Does Lamentations 3:25 Mean
The LORD is good- In the rubble of Jerusalem, Jeremiah anchors his heart to an unshakable fact: “The LORD is good” (Lamentations 3:25). The circumstance does not edit the character of God; His goodness remains untouched by human failure or national calamity.
-Psalm 34:8 echoes the invitation: “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”. Even in lament, faith “tastes” and finds the same flavor of grace.
-Psalm 145:9 widens the lens: “The LORD is good to all; His compassion rests on all He has made”. The prophet’s personal confession lines up with a universal truth affirmed throughout Scripture.
-Nahum 1:7 adds a wartime context: “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble; He cares for those who trust in Him”. God’s goodness is not theoretical; it shelters, protects, and sustains.
to those who wait for Him- Waiting, in biblical terms, is not passive resignation but confident expectancy. It is like standing at the shoreline, eyes fixed on the horizon, sure the ship will come.
•Isaiah 40:31 promises, “Those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles”. The reward is fresh power, not weary delay.
•Psalm 130:5 reveals the heart posture: “I wait for the LORD; my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope”. Waiting rests on His promises, not on improved circumstances.
•Romans 8:25 folds waiting into hope: “If we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently”. The goodness of God secures the future we have not yet touched.
- Jeremiah, surrounded by ruins, chooses waiting over despair. The verse assures that those who do the same will personally encounter the LORD’s goodness.
to the soul who seeks Him- The parallel line shows that waiting and seeking run on twin rails. One is patient expectation; the other is active pursuit.
•Jeremiah 29:13, written by the same prophet, pledges, “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart”. Whole-hearted seekers become finders.
•Hebrews 11:6 explains why seeking matters: “He rewards those who earnestly seek Him”. The reward is God Himself and the overflow of His favor.
•Psalm 63:1 paints the picture: “O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You”. Seeking is thirst, zeal, and deliberate movement toward the Lord.
•Proverbs 8:17 affirms, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me”. Early, eager pursuit aligns us with His ever-present goodness.
- The promise is personal—“to the soul who seeks Him.” Every individual who turns God-ward, no matter how shattered the surroundings, steps into the stream of His goodness.
summaryLamentations 3:25 draws a straight line from God’s unchanging goodness to two simple, faith-filled responses: waiting and seeking. When life’s scenery looks bleak, Scripture calls us to stand still with expectancy and lean forward with pursuit. The God who is inherently good proves that goodness tangibly—to everyone who refuses to let go of hope and keeps pressing in to know Him.
(25)
The Lord is good.--The alliterative form of the Hebrew makes "good" the first word of this and the two following verses, the adjective being predicated, first of the essential character of Jehovah, and then of the conditions in man on which the manifestation of that character depends.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
The LORDיְהוָה֙(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelis goodט֤וֹב(ṭō·wḇ)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896:Pleasant, agreeable, goodto those who wait for Him,לְקוָֹ֔ו(lə·qō·wāw)Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6960:To bind together, collect, to expectto the soulלְנֶ֖פֶשׁ(lə·ne·p̄eš)Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5315:A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotionwho seeks Him.תִּדְרְשֶֽׁנּוּ׃(tiḏ·rə·šen·nū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1875:To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship
Links
Lamentations 3:25 NIVLamentations 3:25 NLTLamentations 3:25 ESVLamentations 3:25 NASBLamentations 3:25 KJV
Lamentations 3:25 BibleApps.comLamentations 3:25 Biblia ParalelaLamentations 3:25 Chinese BibleLamentations 3:25 French BibleLamentations 3:25 Catholic Bible
OT Prophets: Lamentations 3:25 Yahweh is good to those who wait (Lam. La Lm)