John Calvin Commentary Lamentations 3:11

"He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces; he hath made me desolate." — Lamentations 3:11 (ASV)

In this verse, the Prophet also shows how deeply the faithful are disturbed when they feel that God is against them. But he uses the same figure of speech as yesterday, though the word סורר, surer, is different: what he used yesterday was עוה, oue, but with the same meaning.

He then says that his ways were perverted. This occurred because he had been frustrated in his purpose; whatever he did was nullified, as God forcibly prevented him. When we set out to do anything, a way is open to us; but when there is no success, our way is said to be perverted. This is done by God, who has all events, both prosperous and adverse, in his own hand. Thus, just as God directs our ways when he blesses our counsels and our actions, so, on the other hand, he perverts them when all things turn out unsuccessfully, when our purpose is not achieved and events do not meet our expectations.

He later adds, He hath torn me, or broken me. The verb פשח, peshech, means primarily to cut, but here to tear or scatter. It follows finally, he hath made me a waste. In this expression, he includes the other two things. For one who is reduced to desolation does not continue on his way, nor find any exit. Moreover, he is also pulled in different directions, as though torn into several pieces. We thus see that the Prophet here complains of severe afflictions, for there was no hope of deliverance left. He adds, —