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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/lamentations/3-40.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/25_Lam_03_40.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Lamentations 3:40 - God's Justice" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/lamentations/3-40.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/lamentations/3-40.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/lamentations/">Lamentations</a> > <a href="/lamentations/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 40</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/lamentations/3-39.htm" title="Lamentations 3:39">◄</a> Lamentations 3:40 <a href="/lamentations/3-41.htm" title="Lamentations 3:41">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/lamentations/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/lamentations/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/lamentations/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/lamentations/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/lamentations/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/lamentations/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/lamentations/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Let us search out and examine our ways, And turn back to the LORD;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/lamentations/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Let’s examine and search out our ways, And let’s return to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/lamentations/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Let us examine and probe our ways, And let us return to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/lamentations/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Let us examine and probe our ways, And let us return to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/lamentations/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Let us search out and examine our ways, And let us return to Yahweh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/lamentations/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Let us test and examine our ways, And let us return to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/lamentations/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Let’s examine and probe our ways, and turn back to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/lamentations/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/lamentations/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/lamentations/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Instead, we should think about the way we are living, and turn back to the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/lamentations/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/lamentations/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Let us look closely at our ways and examine them and then return to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/lamentations/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Let us examine our ways and turn back to the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/lamentations/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Let us examine our lifestyles, putting them to the test, and turn back to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/lamentations/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/lamentations/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Let us carefully examine our ways, and let us return to the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/lamentations/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Let us examine and search our ways, and return to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/lamentations/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/lamentations/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to Yahweh. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/lamentations/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />We search our ways, and investigate, "" And turn back to YHWH.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/lamentations/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> We search our ways, and investigate, And turn back unto Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/lamentations/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />We will search out our ways, and examine and turn back even to Jehovah.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/lamentations/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Nun. Let us search our ways, and seek, and return to the Lord. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/lamentations/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />NUN. Let us examine our ways, and seek out, and return to the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/lamentations/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Let us search and examine our ways, and return to the LORD! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/lamentations/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/lamentations/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/lamentations/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Nun We shall search our ways and we shall examine and we shall be converted to LORD JEHOVAH<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/lamentations/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Let us search and try our ways, And return to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/lamentations/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />NUN. Our way has been searched out and examined, and we will turn to the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/lamentations/3-40.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rKrWuOkEqzQ?start=918" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/lamentations/3.htm">God's Justice</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">39</span>Why should any mortal man complain, in view of his sins? <span class="reftext">40</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2664.htm" title="2664: naḥ·pə·śāh (V-Qal-Imperf.Cohort-1cp) -- To search. A primitive root; to seek; causatively, to conceal oneself, or mask.">Let us examine</a> <a href="/hebrew/2713.htm" title="2713: wə·naḥ·qō·rāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.Cohort-1cp) -- To search. A primitive root; properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately.">and test</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: ḏə·rā·ḵê·nū (N-cpc:: 1cp) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">our ways,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: wə·nā·šū·ḇāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.Cohort-1cp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">and turn back</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD.</a> </span><span class="reftext">41</span>Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven:…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-59.htm">Psalm 119:59</a></span><br />I considered my ways and turned my steps to Your testimonies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/13-5.htm">2 Corinthians 13:5</a></span><br />Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you fail the test?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/139-23.htm">Psalm 139:23-24</a></span><br />Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. / See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-4.htm">Galatians 6:4</a></span><br />Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-18.htm">Jeremiah 31:18-19</a></span><br />I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God. / After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-23.htm">James 1:23-25</a></span><br />For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. / But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-28.htm">Ezekiel 18:28</a></span><br />Because he considered and turned from all the transgressions he had committed, he will surely live; he will not die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/11-28.htm">1 Corinthians 11:28</a></span><br />Each one must examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/haggai/1-5.htm">Haggai 1:5-7</a></span><br />Now this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Consider carefully your ways. / You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but never get warm. You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.” / This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Consider carefully your ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-3.htm">Matthew 7:3-5</a></span><br />Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? / How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while there is still a beam in your own eye? / You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6-7</a></span><br />Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-12.htm">Hebrews 3:12-13</a></span><br />See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God. / But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zephaniah/2-1.htm">Zephaniah 2:1-3</a></span><br />Gather yourselves, gather together, O shameful nation, / before the decree takes effect and the day passes like chaff, before the burning anger of the LORD comes upon you, before the Day of the LORD’s anger comes upon you. / Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth who carry out His justice. Seek righteousness; seek humility. Perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a></span><br />Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/13-23.htm">Job 13:23</a></span><br />How many are my iniquities and sins? Reveal to me my transgression and sin.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">search</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/15-12.htm">1 Chronicles 15:12,13</a></b></br> And said unto them, Ye <i>are</i> the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, <i>both</i> ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto <i>the place that</i> I have prepared for it… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/11-13.htm">Job 11:13-15</a></b></br> If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/34-31.htm">Job 34:31,32</a></b></br> Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne <i>chastisement</i>, I will not offend <i>any more</i>: … </p><p class="hdg">turn</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/4-30.htm">Deuteronomy 4:30</a></b></br> When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, <i>even</i> in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/30-6.htm">2 Chronicles 30:6,9</a></b></br> So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/55-7.htm">Isaiah 55:7</a></b></br> Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/20-12.htm">Examine</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-25.htm">Investigate</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-12.htm">Probe</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-11.htm">Search</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-12.htm">Test</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-10.htm">Try</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-35.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-35.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-11.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/21-21.htm">Examine</a> <a href="/acts/25-20.htm">Investigate</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-14.htm">Probe</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-6.htm">Search</a> <a href="/daniel/1-12.htm">Test</a> <a href="/ezekiel/7-26.htm">Try</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-15.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-9.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-19.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">Lamentations 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/lamentations/3-1.htm">The prophet bewails his own calamities</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/lamentations/3-22.htm">By the mercies of God, he nourishes his hope</a></span><br><span class="reftext">37. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/lamentations/3-37.htm">He acknowledges God's justice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">55. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/lamentations/3-55.htm">He prays for deliverance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">64. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/lamentations/3-64.htm">And vengeance on his enemies</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The Hebrew word for "examine" suggests a thorough investigation, akin to a legal inquiry. This aligns with <a href="/psalms/139-23.htm">Psalm 139:23-24</a>, where David asks God to search his heart. The call to "test" implies a refining process, similar to how metals are tested for purity (<a href="/proverbs/17-3.htm">Proverbs 17:3</a>). Historically, this was written during the Babylonian exile, a time when the Israelites were forced to reflect on their covenant relationship with God. The cultural context emphasizes communal responsibility, urging the people to collectively assess their spiritual state.<p><b>and turn back to the LORD</b><br>The concept of turning back, or repentance, is central to the prophetic literature. The Hebrew term "shuv" means to return or restore, indicating a complete change of direction. This is a call to return to covenant faithfulness, reminiscent of the calls to repentance found in the ministries of prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah. Theologically, this reflects the Deuteronomic principle of blessings and curses based on obedience (<a href="/deuteronomy/30.htm">Deuteronomy 30:1-3</a>). It also foreshadows the New Testament message of repentance preached by John the Baptist and Jesus (<a href="/matthew/3-2.htm">Matthew 3:2</a>, <a href="/mark/1-15.htm">Mark 1:15</a>). The phrase underscores God's readiness to forgive and restore, a theme echoed in the parable of the Prodigal Son (<a href="/luke/15-11.htm">Luke 15:11-32</a>), highlighting God's grace and mercy.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>- Traditionally attributed as the author of Lamentations, Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet." He lamented the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of his people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>- The city that faced destruction and exile due to the people's disobedience to God. Lamentations is a poetic reflection on this tragic event.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_exile.htm">The Exile</a></b><br>- The Babylonian exile is the backdrop of Lamentations, where the Israelites were taken captive due to their unfaithfulness to God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/self-examination_is_essential.htm">Self-Examination is Essential</a></b><br>The Hebrew word for "examine" (chaphas) implies a thorough search. Believers are encouraged to diligently search their hearts and lives to identify areas that need repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/testing_our_ways.htm">Testing Our Ways</a></b><br>The term "test" (nasah) suggests proving or trying. We are to evaluate our actions and motives against God's standards, not our own.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_return.htm">Repentance and Return</a></b><br>The call to "turn back" (shub) is a central theme in the Bible, emphasizing repentance and returning to God. This involves a change of direction and a renewed commitment to follow Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_in_restoration.htm">God's Faithfulness in Restoration</a></b><br>Despite the context of judgment, Lamentations highlights God's mercy and faithfulness. Turning back to God opens the door to His restoration and healing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_reflection.htm">Community Reflection</a></b><br>The use of "us" indicates a communal aspect. The call is not just individual but also for the community of believers to collectively seek God and align with His will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_lamentations_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Lamentations 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_are_sincere_prayers_unanswered.htm">(Psalm 65:2) If God truly hears all prayers, why do so many sincere requests remain unanswered? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_'the_lord_tests_hearts'_be_proven.htm">Proverbs 17:3 says 'the Lord tests hearts.' How can this claim be scientifically or historically verified?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_3's_despair_contradict_james_5_11.htm">Does the despair expressed in Job 3 contradict later biblical accounts (e.g., James 5:11) that describe Job as patient and steadfast?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_unquenchable_fire.htm">How does Job remain faithful amidst immense suffering?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/lamentations/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(40) <span class= "bld">Let us search . . .</span>--Warnings against murmurs are followed by counsels which point to a more excellent way. Suffering calls a man to self-scrutiny. We should seek to know the sins which it is meant to punish and correct.<span class= "bld"><p>To the Lord.</span>--The preposition is an emphatic one: <span class= "ital">even to the Lord. </span>There is to be no halting half-way in the work of conversion.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/lamentations/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 40-51.</span> - Confession of sin, followed by sighs and groans. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 40.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Let us search.</span> Our troubles being caused by our sins, let us search them out and correct them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/lamentations/3-40.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Let us examine</span><br /><span class="heb">נַחְפְּשָׂ֤ה</span> <span class="translit">(naḥ·pə·śāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2664.htm">Strong's 2664: </a> </span><span class="str2">To seek, to conceal oneself, mask</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and test</span><br /><span class="heb">וְֽנַחְקֹ֔רָה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·naḥ·qō·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2713.htm">Strong's 2713: </a> </span><span class="str2">To penetrate, to examine intimately</span><br /><br /><span class="word">our ways,</span><br /><span class="heb">דְרָכֵ֙ינוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(ḏə·rā·ḵê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common plural construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and turn back</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנָשׁ֖וּבָה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nā·šū·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">עַד־</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/lamentations/3-40.htm">Lamentations 3:40 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/lamentations/3-40.htm">Lamentations 3:40 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/lamentations/3-40.htm">Lamentations 3:40 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/lamentations/3-40.htm">Lamentations 3:40 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/lamentations/3-40.htm">Lamentations 3:40 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/lamentations/3-40.htm">Lamentations 3:40 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/lamentations/3-40.htm">Lamentations 3:40 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/lamentations/3-40.htm">Lamentations 3:40 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/lamentations/3-40.htm">Lamentations 3:40 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/lamentations/3-40.htm">Lamentations 3:40 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/lamentations/3-40.htm">OT Prophets: Lamentations 3:40 Let us search and try our ways (Lam. La Lm) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/lamentations/3-39.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Lamentations 3:39"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Lamentations 3:39" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/lamentations/3-41.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Lamentations 3:41"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Lamentations 3:41" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>