The Book of Lamentations is among the least known writings in the Old Testament. Most people with only a slight familiarity with the Scriptures will “judge the book by its cover” and come to the hasty conclusion that Lamentations is gloomy, morbid, and depressing. However, it is often in the darkest settings that the light of hope shines the brightest.

Indeed, this book of prophecy contains some of the brightest promises in the Old Testament! Similar to the way a jeweler displays his brightest diamonds against a black velvet background, so Jehovah displays His bright faithfulness against the dark backdrop of man’s unfaithfulness.

Although the writer of Lamentations is anonymous, the book is believed to have been written by the prophet Jeremiah shortly after the destruction of Jerusalem and the desecration of the Temple. Jeremiah is often known to Bible scholars as “the weeping prophet” because of his frequent laments, or groanings and moanings. Lamentations is read every year by the Jewish people on the fast day of Tisha B’Av (the ninth day of the month of Av). This day of fasting commemorates the destruction of the first and second Temples.

Jeremiah had a difficult lot in life. As the Babylonian invasion loomed large on the eastern horizon, he repeatedly warned the king of Judah to repent and turn to the Lord. But the king spurned the prophet’s preaching. On one occasion, Jeremiah was cast into a cistern and sank into the mire! Finally, he was rescued by a compassionate Ethiopian eunuch who pulled him out of the reservoir.

Jeremiah witnessed the Babylonian invasion, the slaughter of the sons of the king of Judah, the burning of the Temple, and the deportation of the Jews into captivity in 586 B.C.

The prophet opened the Book of Lamentations with these words of sorrow over the fall of Jerusalem: “How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary! She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies” (Lamentations 1:1–2).

Jeremiah began his lament with a comment about the way the friends of Jerusalem had “dealt treacherously” with God’s people. Treachery is the opposite of faithfulness. A clear, distinct contrast was drawn between the man’s treachery and God’s faithfulness. Dreadful things are mentioned regarding the destruction of the Holy City, including the starvation of children (see Lamentations 2:11) and the terrible spectacle of women cannibalizing their own infant children (see Lamentations 2:20) because of the scarcity of provisions.

Interestingly, chapters 1 and 2 are written as an acrostic Hebrew poem—each verse begins with the consecutive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Also, each chapter is twenty-two verses long. Chapter 3, written as a triple acrostic poem that consists of sixty-six verses, is three times the length of the first two chapters. Three verses begin with Aleph, then three with Bet, and so on through the entire chapter. This unique writing style incorporated in Lamentations 3 highlights that this chapter focuses on the heart and message of the book: to showcase the sparkling diamond of God’s eternal faithfulness is set against the black velvet of human treachery.

Lamentations chapter 3 opens with these words in verse 1, “I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.” Yet, Jeremiah proceeded to reflect further upon the fact that he was humbled by beholding the treachery of man. “Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me” (Lamentations 3:19–20).

The prophet reflected upon the faithfulness of God. “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:21–23).

Great is Thy faithfulness! Are you able to say that when your home lies in smoking ruins? Are you able to proclaim that when you have lost a loved one? Are you able to affirm that when your entire nation is destroyed by the treachery of man? Absolutely! If you are a child of God, you can rest in this assurance, no matter the circumstances.

In Lamentations, the same Hebrew expression used in describing the faithfulness of God in the Law is used here in the prophets. The verbal root אָמַן (aman) is the expression’s foundation. As God’s people, we can give a hearty Amen! to whatever He does and says because His faithfulness is great. God can be relied upon absolutely.

Jeremiah believed the promises of God and acted upon them. He bought a field just north of Jerusalem, which was a very surprising action when judged from a human standpoint. The impending destruction of the city would seem to be a very poor time for a land investment! However, God had commanded Jeremiah to purchase the field, giving him this promise: “For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land” (Jeremiah 32:15).

Whenever you are tempted to doubt the faithfulness of God, remember the words in the Book of Lamentations. God’s mercies are new every morning! His faithfulness is great. You can rest confidently in His eternal promises.