Lamentations 3:64

Modern

You will pay them back what they deserve, O LORD, according to the work of their hands.

Traditional

Render unto them a recompence, O Lord, according to the work of their hands.

Literal

May You repay to them a recompense, O YHWH, according to the work of their hands!

Latin

Redes eis vicem, Domine, juxta opera manuum suarum.

Hebrew

English

You will pay them back what they deserve, O LORD, according to the work of their hands.

This prayer for vengeance is similar to several psalms (see “Prayers for Vengeance” Theme Note).

Jerusalem deserved punishment, but the enemies carried it out with undeserved cruelty. The writer calls upon God to punish them.

The author emphasizes how cruel the enemies are and cries out to the Lord for help.

In this chapter, the author mourns what has happened (Lamentations 3:1–20, 48–54). In this chapter, the author mourns what has happened (Lamentations 3:21–25). He explains how God’s people should respond (Lamentations 3:26–47). Finally, he calls out to the Lord in prayer (Lamentations 3:55–66).

Theme notes and profiles

Psalm 28:4
Repay them according to their deeds and for their works of evil. Repay them for what their hands have done; bring back on them what they deserve.
Jeremiah 11:20
O LORD of Hosts, who judges righteously, who examines the heart and mind, let me see Your vengeance upon them, for to You I have committed my cause.
Revelation 6:10
And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell upon the earth and avenge our blood?”
2 Timothy 4:14
Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
Jeremiah 50:29
Summon the archers against Babylon, all who string the bow. Encamp all around her; let no one escape. Repay her according to her deeds; do to her as she has done. For she has defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.
Revelation 18:6
Give back to her as she has done to others; pay her back double for what she has done; mix her a double portion in her own cup.