I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon.
The book of Lamentations was written by Jeremiah. It consists of poetic Hebrew acrostics. Chapter 3 is arranged as an alphabetic acrostic in which each Hebrew letter begins three successive verses, and this verse follows that pattern in its Hebrew opening. That acrostic form is especially striking in a book marked by mental anguish, and it may serve to arrest the attention of the careless reader.
The verse shows that the Lord can be called upon even from a low dungeon, in the depths of distress and confinement. That dungeon setting involved hunger, exposure, persecution, and imprisonment suffered for the Lord's work. The prayer offered from that deep distress was heard, with God drawing near and telling him not to fear.
The book of Lamentations was written by Jeremiah. It consists of poetic Hebrew acrostics. Chapter 3 is arranged as an alphabetic acrostic in which each Hebrew letter begins three successive verses, and this verse follows that pattern in its Hebrew opening. That acrostic form is especially striking in a book marked by mental anguish, and it may serve to arrest the attention of the careless reader.
The verse shows that the Lord can be called upon even from a low dungeon, in the depths of distress and confinement. That dungeon setting involved hunger, exposure, persecution, and imprisonment suffered for the Lord's work. The prayer offered from that deep distress was heard, with God drawing near and telling him not to fear.