Thomas Aquinas Commentary Lamentations 3:19-21

"Remember mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is bowed down within me. This I recall to my mind; therefore have I hope." — Lamentations 3:19-21 (ASV)

Here he presents arguments to exclude despair.

1. From the divine mercy.
2. From the divine justice, as seen in the verse, to crush under his feet all the prisoners of the land (Lamentations 3:34).
3. From the divine power, as seen in the verse, who is he that has said a thing should be done, when the Lord commands it not? (Lamentations 3:37).

Concerning the first point, divine mercy, he does two things:

1. He shows the divine mercy regarding a comparison of benefits.
2. He shows it regarding the easing of punishments, as seen in the verse, for the Lord will not cast off forever (Lamentations 3:31).

Concerning the comparison of benefits, he sets forth three things:

1. The memory of past blessings.
2. The experience of present blessings, as seen in the verse, the mercies of the Lord that we are not consumed (Lamentations 3:22).
3. The expectation of future blessings, as seen in the verse, the Lord is good to them that hope in him (Lamentations 3:25).

Concerning the memory of past blessings, he does three things:

1. First, the prophet leads God to consider the misfortunes they have endured, saying, “O Lord, you who appear to hide and forget us,” remember us by freeing us; consider my poverty, regarding the plundering of our goods; consider and transgression, our fault, which is the cause of so much misfortune; and consider the wormwood, regarding the bitterness and affliction of men. This is seen below: remember, O Lord, what is come upon us (Lamentations 5:1).
2. Second, he encourages himself to remember the benefits they have received: I will be mindful and remember—that is, the benefits—and my soul shall languish within me, fainting from admiration or desire. As the psalmist says, These things I remembered, and poured out my soul in me (Psalms 41:5).
3. Third, he concludes with confidence: these things I shall think over—that is, these benefits. As it is written, I remembered your mercy, O Lord .