For many people, their conversion story is one of descent, at least in the beginning. They turned to Christ, but only after they had hit rock bottom. In these concluding verses of Jeremiah’s third Lamentations poem, Jerusalem had hit bottom. In that difficult place, they bear witness to God’s faithfulness.

The imagery in these verses reflects Jeremiah’s personal experience (see also Jeremiah 38). But there is a shift in tone from earlier verses. Unceasing tears (v. 49) have given way to a cry for help (vv. 55–56). God, who had seemed so distant, has answered by drawing near with words of assurance (v. 57). Judah’s heavenly prosecutor has become her defender who will take up her case and redeem her life (v. 58). He acts as her advocate to uphold her cause (v. 59).

When Jeremiah speaks of the enemy’s insults, whispers, and songs in verses 61–63, he could just as well be speaking for himself as for Judah. In Jeremiah 20:8, the prophet complains that “the word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long.” People ridiculed Jeremiah by flinging the warnings he had given to them back in his face as taunts, hoping that they prove to be false (compare with Jer. 20:10). Nevertheless, the appeal for divine justice in verses 64–66 is not a personal vendetta. As God’s prophet, Jeremiah speaks for God’s people. His petition is a reminder that God has promised to settle all accounts. In Deuteronomy 32:35, the Lord had said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.”

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