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Lamentations 3:19

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

When I think back on all my pain and suffering, it's like tasting something bitter that makes you want to spit it out immediately.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

Sometimes remembering our worst moments feels like poison in our mouths.

📚 Historical Context

The Book of Lamentations was written during the Babylonian exile around 586 BC, following the destruction of Jerusalem, as a poetic expression of grief over the suffering inflicted on God's people due to their disobedience and idolatry. In Lamentations 3:19, the author, traditionally attributed to Jeremiah, reflects on personal and national hardships, using "wormwood and gall" as metaphors for the extreme bitterness and poison of their experiences, which were common symbols in ancient Near Eastern literature for divine judgment. This verse fits into the broader narrative of exile, where the community mourns their loss while anticipating God's restoration.

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