King James Version

What Does Lamentations 3:50 Mean?

Lamentations 3:50 in the King James Version says “Till the LORD look down, and behold from heaven.” — study this verse from Lamentations chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Till the LORD look down, and behold from heaven.”

Lamentations 3:50 · KJV

Context

48

Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.

49

Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission,

50

Till the LORD look down, and behold from heaven.

51

Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city. mine heart: Heb. my soul because: or, more than all

52

Mine enemies chased me sore, like a bird, without cause.

Read Lamentations 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Hope emerges through persistent prayer: "Till the LORD look down, and behold from heaven." The Hebrew ad-yashkif veyare YHWH mishamayim (עַד־יַשְׁקִיף וְיֵרֶא יְהוָה מִשָּׁמָיִם) expresses patient waiting for divine intervention. Yashkif (יַשְׁקִיף, "look down") and yare (יֵרֶא, "see") together emphasize God's attention turning toward His suffering people.

The phrase "from heaven" (mishamayim, מִשָּׁמָיִם) locates God's dwelling above, from which He observes earth. Though the cloud blocks prayer (verse 44), the speaker persists in crying out until God looks down. This demonstrates faith that God's silence is temporary, not permanent. Psalm 102:19-20 similarly declares: "For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; to hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death."

Theologically, this verse marks a crucial shift from despair toward hope. Though verses 1-47 describe comprehensive judgment, verse 50 introduces "till"—implying expectation that God will eventually act. The weeping continues but is now directed purposefully toward moving God to look and see. This anticipates verses 55-58, where God does indeed hear and draw near. It demonstrates that persistent prayer, even when seemingly unheard, is faith's proper response to discipline.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The plea for God to "look down from heaven" echoed Israel's deepest prayers. Moses interceded: "Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel" (Deuteronomy 26:15). Isaiah prayed: "Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory" (Isaiah 63:15). Solomon's temple dedication asked God to hear prayers "from thy dwelling place, even from heaven" (1 Kings 8:30, 39, 43, 49).

The exile seemed to negate these prayers—God appeared to have stopped looking down, stopped hearing. Psalm 74:1 cries: "O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?" Yet faithful exiles maintained hope. Daniel prayed facing Jerusalem three times daily (Daniel 6:10). The returned exiles under Ezra-Nehemiah confessed sin while appealing to God's mercy (Ezra 9:6-15, Nehemiah 9:6-37).

God did eventually look down. Isaiah 40:1-2 announces: "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned." The 70-year exile ended precisely as Jeremiah prophesied (Jeremiah 29:10), demonstrating that God had not permanently turned away His gaze.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does "till the LORD look down" teach about persisting in prayer even when God seems silent or distant?
  2. How does this verse's shift from describing judgment (vv. 1-47) to awaiting God's intervention (v. 50) model movement from despair to hope?
  3. In what ways does Christ's resurrection demonstrate that God has looked down from heaven and intervened decisively in human history?
  4. How should believers balance honest lament over current circumstances with confident expectation that God will eventually act?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 5 words
עַד1 of 5
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

יַשְׁקִ֣יף2 of 5

“look down”

H8259

properly, to lean out (of a window), i.e., (by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a spectacle)

וְיֵ֔רֶא3 of 5

“and behold”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

יְהוָ֖ה4 of 5

“Till the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

מִשָּׁמָֽיִם׃5 of 5

“from heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Lamentations. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Lamentations 3:50 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Lamentations 3:50 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 63:15Lamentations 5:1Isaiah 64:1Psalms 102:19-20Lamentations 2:20Isaiah 62:6-7

Test Your Knowledge

Lamentations 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLamentations Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Lamentations 3 with CommentaryAll Lamentations ChaptersComplete Lamentations QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes