John Calvin Commentary Lamentations 3:14

"I am become a derision to all my people, and their song all the day." — Lamentations 3:14 (ASV)

The Prophet again complains of the reproaches to which God had exposed the Jews. We have said that of all evils the most grievous is reproach, and experience teaches us that sorrow is greatly embittered when scoffs and taunts are added to it; for he who silently bears the most grievous sorrows becomes broken in heart when he finds himself treated with contempt.

This, then, is the reason why the Prophet again amplifies the miseries of the people, because they were exposed to the scoffs of all men. But it may seem a strange thing that the Jews were derided by their own people. This is the reason why some think that the Prophet complains of his own private evils, and that he does not represent the whole people or the public condition of the Church.

But it may also be said in reply, that the Prophet does not mean that the people were derided by themselves, which could not be; but it is as if he had said that their state was so disgraceful that, while they looked at one another, they had a reason for taunting, if this condition of theirs was allowed to continue.

In short, the Prophet does not mean what was actually done, but he simply complains that their calamity was liable to all kinds of reproaches, so that anyone looking at Jerusalem might justly deride such a disgraceful spectacle. And it was, as we have said, a most equitable reward, for they had not ceased to reproach God. Then, what they had deserved was rendered to them, when God in turn loaded them with dishonor.

He afterwards adds that he was their song, that is, of derision; for it is a confirmation of the former clause, and the same complaint is also found in Job. He says that he was their song daily or all the day. This constancy, as has been said, proved more clearly the grievousness of the evil.