Charles Spurgeon Commentary Lamentations 3:28-33

"Let him sit alone and keep silence, because he hath laid it upon him. Let him put his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope. Let him give his cheek to him that smiteth him; let him be filled full with reproach. For the Lord will not cast off for ever. For though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. For he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." — Lamentations 3:28-33 (ASV)

He sits alone and keeps silence, because he has borne it upon him. He puts his mouth in the dust, if perhaps there may be hope. He gives his cheek to him that smites him: he is filled full with reproach. For the LORD will not cast off for ever: but though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he does not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.

Unless he has some gracious motive for it, he never afflicts or grieves them, and when he does so, it is as when a father strikes his child. It is because it must be done and not because he loves to do it. See, then, the great mercy of God. May it lead the sinner to repentance, indeed, and lead us all to put our trust in the Lord!