Lamentations 3:39
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Why does a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
American King James Version (AKJV)
Why does a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
American Standard Version (ASV)
Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
Basic English Translation (BBE)
What protest may a living man make, even a man about the punishment of his sin?
Webster's Revision
Why doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
World English Bible
Why does a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
English Revised Version (ERV)
Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
Definitions for Lamentations 3:39
Clarke's Lamentations 3:39 Bible Commentary
Wherefore doth a living man complain - He who has his life still lent to him has small cause of complaint. How great soever his affliction may be, he is still alive; therefore, he may seek and find mercy unto eternal life. Of this, death would deprive him; therefore let not a living man complain.
Barnes's Lamentations 3:39 Bible Commentary
In all this did not Job sin with his lips - See the notes at Job 1:22. This remark is made here perhaps in contrast with what occurred afterward. He subsequently did give utterance to improper sentiments, and was rebuked accordingly, but thus far what he had expressed was in accordance with truth, and with the feelings of most elevated piety.
Lamentations 3:39So long as God spares a man's life, why does he complain? The chastisement is really for his good; only let him use it aright, and he will be thankful for it in the end.
A man for the punishment of his sins - Translate: Let "each man sigh for," i. e. because of, "his sins." Instead of complaining because God sends him sorrow, let him rather mourn over the sins which have made punishment necessary. The sense of the King James Version is, Why does a man ... complain "for his sins?" i. e. for the necessary results of them in chastisement.
Wesley's Lamentations 3:39 Bible Commentary
3:39 Wherefore - The Jews, check themselves in their complaints from the consideration, that nothing had befallen them, but what was the just reward of their sins.