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Jeremiah 11:19-21
But Iwas like a lambor an oxthat is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me,saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered…

Jeremiah 15:10
Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury;yet every one of them doth curse me.

Jeremiah 18:18-23
Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words…

judge

Genesis 31:42
Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebukedthee yesternight.

Psalm 9:4
For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.

Psalm 26:1
A Psalm of David. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD;therefore I shall not slide.

the wrong done to me;
Here, the "wrong" refers to the injustices and suffering experienced by Jeremiah and the people of Judah. Historically, this period was marked by the Babylonian siege and subsequent destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The wrongs include the physical destruction, the loss of life, and the spiritual desolation felt by the people. This phrase resonates with the broader biblical theme of injustice and the cry for divine intervention, as seen in Psalms and the Prophets, where the righteous often call upon God to address the wrongs they suffer.

vindicate my cause!
The plea for vindication is a request for God to act as a righteous judge. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a judge was expected to uphold justice and defend the oppressed. This plea reflects a deep trust in God's justice and His ability to set things right. The call for vindication is echoed in other parts of Scripture, such asPsalm 26:1 andIsaiah 54:17, where God's people seek His intervention against their adversaries. This also foreshadows the ultimate vindication found in Jesus Christ, who, through His death and resurrection, brings justice and redemption to humanity.

The writer opens with confidence that God is watching, not aloof. He is the “God who sees” (Genesis 16:13). That awareness matters because:

• Nothing escapes His gaze—“The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous” (Psalm 34:15).

• He notices both the affliction and the faithfulness of His people; compareExodus 3:7, where He sees Israel’s misery.

• His sight is tender yet powerful: “The eyes of the LORD roam throughout the earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

This opening phrase reminds us that before we ever formulate a prayer, God already understands its full context (Psalm 139:1-3).

Jeremiah voices the injustice without minimizing it. The siege and fall of Jerusalem brought betrayal, cruelty, and mockery (Lamentations 3:52-54). Biblical lament names wrongs plainly—think of David’s protests inPsalm 35:11-15. Identifying the wrong:

• Validates real suffering; grief isn’t weakness.

• Refuses to excuse sin; “Woe to those who devise iniquity” (Micah 2:1).

• Prepares the heart to release the matter to God rather than nurse bitterness (cf.Ephesians 4:31-32).

Jesus Himself endured false testimony (Matthew 26:59-60); Paul faced betrayal (2 Timothy 4:14). Scripture invites us to bring similar hurts to the Lord who already knows every detail.

The plea shifts from description to petition: “Act, Lord. Judge rightly.” Vindication is God setting the record straight, not personal revenge. Key truths:

• God is the righteous Judge—“Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause” (Psalm 43:1).

• Justice may be slow by earthly reckoning, yet it is certain—Luke 18:7 promises He will bring about justice for His elect.

• The call to trust God’s timing undergirds the request—“Vengeance is Mine; I will repay” (Romans 12:19).

Living this verse means:

– Laying evidence before God in prayer.

– Continuing to do good (1 Peter 4:19).

– Waiting expectantly, like David: “Awake and rise to my defense” (Psalm 35:23).

Lamentations 3:59 teaches that God both sees and cares about every injustice against His people. We freely name the wrongs, knowing His omniscient eyes are upon us. Then, instead of seizing retaliation, we trust Him to vindicate. The verse calls believers to honest lament, steadfast hope, and patient confidence in the Judge who never overlooks a single tear or a single wrong.