Lamentations 3:64

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

Lamentations 3:64 (KJV)

Context

Lamentations 3 is a poetic lament set in the devastation of Jerusalem. In verses 59-66, the prophet Jeremiah cries out to God, asking Him to see the wrong done against him and to act as judge. Verse 64 is part of this closing prayer, a direct appeal for God to repay the enemies who persecuted God’s people.

Meaning

The word “recompence” means repayment or requital. The verse asks God to give the enemies what their own deeds deserve. This is not a call to personal vengeance but a plea for divine justice. The phrase “according to the work of their hands” invokes the biblical principle that God judges people by their actions. The Hebrew text and the surrounding context support reading this as a prayer, though some ancient versions render it as a prophecy of coming judgment.

Biblical connections

The theme of divine recompense according to deeds is a recurring biblical motif. A comparable sentiment appears in Psalm 28:4, and the New Testament affirms that God “will render to every man according to his deeds” (Romans 2:6). The prayer also aligns with the command to leave vengeance to God, who has said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay” (Romans 12:19).

Application

This verse teaches believers to entrust their cause to God rather than seeking revenge. When we suffer unjustly, we can pray with confidence that God sees every wrong and will act righteously in His timing. It also serves as a sober warning that our own actions carry weight before God, for He will repay each person according to what they have done.

Reflection

Jeremiah prayed this while enduring great suffering, yet he still turned to God as the only true source of justice. His example encourages us to do the same. We can release our anger and desire for retribution into God’s hands, trusting that He is sovereign over history and will bring about perfect justice.