8. When I cry and shout. Or, “When I am crying and shouting”; indicating a continued or repeated action.
He shutteth out. This appears at first to contradict the many assurances that God does hear prayer (see Ps. 65:2; 91:15; Joel 2:32). It must be noted, however, that there is a progression of thought in this poem. At this point Jeremiah is speaking either of his own attitude or of that of his people as they survey their ruined situation. The Lord has not heard their prayers for deliverance. In their discouragement it seems as if He will never hear them. But there is yet hope. As the thought of the poem progresses, assurance is given that “the Lord is good unto them that wait for him. … It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord” (Lam. 3:25, 26). Seemingly unanswered prayers are often only a test to determine whether the suppliant is fully prepared to appreciate and utilize to the best advantage the gift he has requested.