In this stanza, the man who bears the suffering from God should not adopt an attitude of complaint and bitterness, but is advised to react with composure while he is waiting for God’s resolution. Those who suffer should emulate this attitude of humble behaviour.1 Since it is good for man to endure suffering in these circumstances (Lamentations 3:25–28), three ways in which he should react are put forward as exhortation (Lamentations 3:28–30).
1. Lamentations 3:28: he should be still, alone, and patiently bear the burden God has laid on him, as was the practice by those in sorrow (see Lamentations 1:1).2
2. Lamentations 3:29: he should humbly bow before God. The expression let him put his mouth in the dust
was an expression of complete submission. It describes the custom of throwing oneself onto the ground in humble silence. The mouth, placed in the dust, cannot speak.3
3. Lamentations 3:30: he should learn patiently to bear abuse and reviling from men.4 In offering the cheek to enemies the captive expressed absolute surrender (see also Job 16:10; Isaiah 50:6; Micah 5:1; Matthew 5:39).
28 Il se tiendra solitaire et silencieux, Parce que l'Eternel le lui impose;