Lecture 7

^3:19^ Zain. Remember my poverty, and transgression, the wormwood, and the gall.

^3:20^ Zain. I will be mindful and remember, and my soul shall languish within me.

^3:21^ Zain. These things I shall think over in my heart, I shall hope in God.

51. Here he puts forward arguments to exclude despair.

And first, from the divine mercy;

second, from the divine justice, at to crush under his feet all the prisoners of the land (Lam 3:34);

third, from the divine power, at who is he that has said a thing should be done, when the Lord commands it not? (Lam 3:37);

Concerning the first, he does two things.

First, he shows the divine mercy as regards a comparison of benefits;

second, as regards the relaxation of punishments, at for the Lord will not cast off forever (Lam 3:31);

Concerning the first, he sets forth three things.

First, the memory of past blessings;

second, the experience of present blessings, at the mercies of the Lord that we are not consumed (Lam 3:22);

third, the expectation of future blessings, at the Lord is good to them that hope in him (Lam 3:25).

Concerning the first, he does three things.

First, the prophet leads God to consider the misfortunes they have endured, saying, “O Lord, you who appear to hide and forget us,” remember, freeing us; my poverty, as to the plundering of our goods; and transgression, our fault, which is the cause of so much misfortune; the wormwood, as to the bitterness and affliction of men. Below: remember, O Lord, what is come upon us (Lam 5:1).

Second, he encourages himself to remember the benefits they have received: I will be mindful and remember, namely, the benefits; and my soul shall languish within me, fainting from admiration or from desire. These things I remembered, and poured out my soul in me (Ps 41:5).

Third, he concludes with confidence: these things I shall think over, namely, these benefits. I remembered your mercy, O Lord (Sir 51:11).