This verse confirms what I have said, that the same truth is here repeated by the
JOHN CALVIN
Hence a very useful doctrine is elicited --- that God succors his own people, lest they should wholly perish. But if we attend to the context, we shall see that another sense is more suitable, even that the mercies of God were not consumed, and that his compassion's had not failed The particle {,}כיki, is inserted, but ought to be taken as an affirmative only, surely the mercies of God are not consumed; 543 and then, --- surely his compassion's have not failed. And he afterwards adds, ---
Lamentations 3:23
23. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
23. Novae ad singula mane; magna veritas tua.
This verse confirms what I have said, that the same truth is here repeated by the
Prophet, that God's mercies were not consumed, nor had his compassion's failed.
How so? Because they were new, or renewed, every day; but he puts morning, and that in the plural number. I am surprised at the hour striking so soon; I hardly think that I have lectured a whole hour.
PRAYER.
Grant, Almighty God, that as there are none of us who have not continually to contend with many temptations, and as such is our infirmity, that we are ready to succumb under them, except thou helpest us, --- O grant, that we may be sustained by thine invincible power, and that also, when thou wouldest humble us, we may loathe ourselves on account of our sins, and thus perseveringly contend, until, having gained the victory, we shall give thee the glory for thy perpetual aid in Christ Jesus our Lord. --- Amen.
Lecture Tenth
In the last lecture the Prophet said that the mercies of God are renewed daily. This must indeed be viewed according to the apprehension of men, for to God belongs no charge. But the mercies of God seem to be renewed when he for a time hides his face, and again becomes reconciled to us. The Prophet mentions morning; and he alludes, as I think, to this passage in the Psalms ---
weeping dwells with us in the evening, yet joy will return in the morning.'' (Psalm 30:5.)
He then means that God hastens to succor men in misery.
He subjoins the word truth, because a sense of God's mercy can never come to us except he offers it to us. Were then God to take away the promise, all the miserable would inevitably perish; for they can never lay hold on his mercy except through his word. This, then, is the reason why Scripture so often connects these two things together, even God's mercy and his faithfulness in fulfilling his promises. It now follows, ---
Lamentations 3:24
24. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
24. Pertie inca Jehova, dixit my soul; anima mea; ideo sperabo in eo.
543So the Targ. and all the versions, except the Vulg; they read {.{`` תמוThe mercies of Jehovah'' is the nominative case absolute, --- 22. The mercies of Jehovah, verily they have no end, For his compassion's never fail. 23.
Renewed (are they) in the morning; Great is thy faithfulness. ``Renewed'' refers to ``mercies,'' i.e., blessings, the fruit of mercy; and God's mercies have no end, because his compassion's ever continue. ``In the morning,'' that is, after a night of affliction. If the rendering be made literal, ``in the mornings,'' the meaning is the same; they follow the previous nights of trouble. Blessings, being as it were suspended or withheld during the night, are again renewed in the morning. --- Ed.