John Calvin Commentary Lamentations 3:55

"I called upon thy name, O Jehovah, out of the lowest dungeon." — Lamentations 3:55 (ASV)

We certainly see that the Prophet had an inward conflict, which all the faithful also experience, for the spirit fights against the flesh, as Paul teaches us (Galatians 5:17). Therefore, though on the one hand he apprehended death, he still did not cease to flee to God. Faith strengthened his mind so that he did not succumb; on the contrary, he firmly rejected the temptation presented to him.

So, though he was, according to the flesh, convinced of his own ruin, on the other hand, he called on the name of God. For the faithful do not measure the power and grace of God by their own thoughts, but give glory to God by resting on him even in the greatest extremities.

And this passage should be carefully noticed. For when Satan cannot in any other way turn us aside from prayer, he points to our weakness: “What do you mean, miserable being? Will God hear you? For what can you do? You tremble, you are anxious, indeed, you despair; and yet you think that God will be propitious to you.”

Whenever, therefore, Satan tries to shut the door against us to prevent us from praying, let this example of the Prophet come to our minds. For he, though he thought himself lost, still did not cast aside the confidence he had in God’s help and aid.

For from where did his perseverance arise, except that he, in a way, rebuked himself when he found himself so overwhelmed and, as it were, dead? These two states of mind are seen in this short prayer of David:

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
(Psalms 22:1)

For when he addressed God and called him his God, we see his rare and extraordinary faith. And when he complains that he was forsaken, we see how, through the infirmity of the flesh, he thought that it was all over with him regarding his salvation. Such a conflict, therefore, is described here; but faith overcame and gained the victory, for the Prophet did not cease to cry to God, even from the pit of depths — from the pit, that is, from death itself.

And this also should be carefully observed. For when God bears us on his wings, or when he carries us in his bosom, it is easy to pray; but when we seem to be cast into the deepest gulfs, if we cry to him from there, it is a real and certain proof of faith and hope. Since such passages often occur in the Psalms, they may be compared; but I touch only lightly on the subject, for it is not my purpose to pile up all the appropriate quotations. It is enough to present the real meaning of the Prophet.