Lamentations 3:64 (KJV)

What does Lamentations 3:64 mean?

Lamentations 3:64 is a prayer asking the LORD to repay people according to what they have done, giving them back what their actions deserve. The verse expresses a plea for justice, asking God to respond to others based on the work of their own hands.

In this verse, the speaker is traditionally understood to be Jeremiah, voicing the pain and suffering of Jerusalem after its destruction. He addresses the LORD (the personal name for Israel’s God), asking for divine retribution against those who have caused harm. The verse fits into a larger section where the speaker moves from personal lament to prayers for God to act justly toward those responsible for the city’s suffering.

The Hebrew behind Lamentations 3:64

• "Render" (שׁוּב, shuv): This word often means "to return" or "to turn back." Here, it carries the sense of God returning upon others what they have done, emphasizing a just response rather than simple punishment.
• "Recompence" (גְּמוּל, gemul): This word means "a reward" or "what is deserved," whether good or bad. In this context, it refers to a deserved payback for actions taken.
• "Work" (מַעֲשֶׂה, ma'aseh) and "hands" (יָד, yad): Together, these words point to the concrete actions people have done, not just intentions or thoughts. The focus is on visible deeds.

Why Lamentations 3:64 matters

• Lamentations 3:64 clarifies that the call for justice is not about personal revenge, but about asking God to act as a fair judge who responds to real actions.
• The verse highlights the biblical theme that people are held accountable for what they do, not just what they intend.
• Within the flow of Lamentations 3, this verse marks a shift from sorrow and complaint to a direct appeal for God’s justice, showing how grief can turn into prayer for fairness.