What Lamentations 3:22-23 Means: God’s mercies are new every morning

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. His mercies are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Imagine writing these words of hope and faith while surrounded by devastation. That’s exactly what the prophet Jeremiah did in Lamentations. Amid Jerusalem’s fall, with everything crumbling around him, he penned these powerful words.

It’s easy to lose hope when life feels overwhelming, but these verses carry a timeless message for us today. No matter how dire your circumstances may seem, God’s compassion and faithfulness are never exhausted, God’s mercies are new every morning.

If you need a reminder that hope is still alive, Lamentations 3:22-23 hold a promise that can change your perspective and give you hope.

What Lamentations 3:22-23 Means

The book of Lamentations deals with suffering. More specifically the suffering of God’s people. Amid unthinkable tragedy, Jeremiah (the author) describes his agony in the face of this suffering. 

Despite the heartbreak and agony this book still contains an incredible message of hope. And that’s where the meaning of Lamentations 3:22-23 shines through.

Because Of The Lord’s Great Love 

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed…

In the middle of tragedy and suffering, we might be tempted to think God doesn’t love us. But this passage starts off with this reminder, God loves us. 

Some translations call this God’s steadfast love. Steadfast means firmly fixed or immovable. In other words, nothing we have faced or will face can possibly remove us from God’s love. 

Everything that follows is because of God’s love for us. And it’s important that we keep this on the forefront of our mind. The rest of the Lamentations 3:22-23 meaning ties into this first truth. 

His Compassions Never Fail

for his compassions never fail…

This builds off the first part of this passage. God’s compassion, his mercy, is a byproduct of his love. Because his love is steadfast and knows no end, neither will his compassion. 

The word that is translated as “fail” or sometimes “end” is the Hebrew word kalah. It means complete, be concluded, be gone, be finished, be accomplished, or come to an end. This word carries with it a finality. 

But in the meaning of Lamentations 3:22-23, there’s a never in front of it. In other words, God’s mercy toward you will never finish, be concluded, or come to and end. It will never fail. 

Because God’s love is steadfast his mercy and compassion will continue on through eternity. 

God’s Mercies Are New Every Morning

His mercies are new every morning… 

Every time we wake up, God’s mercies are new. This is another way of showing us that God’s mercy will never run out. Regardless of how often you rely on God’s compassion, there will be more for you tomorrow. 

Now, this isn’t a get-out-of-hell free card that we can abuse. It’s not a license to sin however we want. That’s missing the point of the meaning of Lamentation 3:22-23. Rather, this is an opportunity to return to God even after we screw up. 

We don’t need to worry about God’s mercy running dry. God’s mercies are new every morning. 

Great Is Your Faithfulness

great is your faithfulness…

This last part ties the whole passage together. We receive mercy and compassion not because we are faithful, but because God is faithful. It’s his faithfulness to his promise that allows us to receive his mercies.  

How Do We Receive God’s Mercies Every Day? 

Now that we’ve looked at the meaning of Lamentations 3:22-23, let’s look at how we can practically apply it to our everyday life. Here are five ways you can receive God’s mercies every day. 

1. Embracing God’s Mercies Through Faith

Hebrews 11:1 reminds us “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 

Faith is our response to the great and steadfast love he has shown us. He’s done the heavy lifting and in response, we place our faith in him. 

Now, faith isn’t just about what we believe in our heads. But also how we choose to live our lives. Our faith should have a direct impact on what we do and how we do it. When we truly live out our faith, it changes how we navigate our daily lives, influencing our choices and actions. Faith requires movement.

We receive God’s mercies by placing our faith in him.

2. Tapping Into God’s Mercies With Prayer

God’s mercies are true in the good seasons and the bad seasons. But sometimes, in the chaos of life, we need a reminder of that truth.

That’s where prayer comes in. Prayer isn’t simply about asking God for things; it’s about connecting with Him, pouring out our hearts, and being open to receive His comfort. In those moments of prayer, we can find strength, encouragement, and the assurance that God’s mercies are renewed every single morning, no matter what we’re facing.

3. Finding God’s Mercies By Being Still

We live in a world inundated by noise, notifications, and endless distractions. In the midst of this chaos, it’s easy to miss out on hearing God’s voice. That’s why being still is so crucial.

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” It’s a call to intentionally step away from the noise, turn off our devices, and make time for what truly matters. In the stillness, we open ourselves to receive God’s mercies more fully. Each of us needs to find time to get away from the noise, turn off our phones, and focus on what is most important. 

Being still is more challenging than ever in our culture, but it’s also more important than ever. 

4. Remember God’s Faithfulness

It’s easy to get caught up in our current problems and forget all the ways God has been faithful before. But remembering is a powerful act of faith.

By reflecting on how God has come through for us in the past, we gain the courage to trust Him with today’s challenges. When you find yourself struggling, take a moment to remember how God’s mercies have sustained you before—and trust that they are still true today.

5. By Focusing On God’s Mercies

You cannot receive God’s mercies if you aren’t looking for God’s mercies. We often miss God’s mercies simply because we aren’t looking for them.

In the midst of life’s busyness and distractions, it’s easy to lose sight of His blessings. This is where intentional focus comes in. Fix your gaze on God instead of the storms swirling around you. Take time each day to reflect on His goodness, and you’ll begin to see His mercies more clearly. Remember, you can’t receive God’s mercies if you’re not actively seeking them.

This goes back to being still. When we are constantly moving and distracted by all the things in this world we will never notice God’s mercies. Keep your eyes on God and not the storms and distractions around you.

By practicing these steps—faith, prayer, stillness, remembering, and focusing—you’ll find yourself more attuned to God’s ever-present mercies in your life.

Closing Thoughts

Whatever you’ve done, wherever you’ve been, God’s mercies are new for you every morning. His steadfast love will never fail you. He’s made a way for you to get back to him and live in the love, joy, and peace that he has for you. 

Lamentations 3:22-23 is a powerful reminder of what God has done for us. And it’s a verse that each of us should reflect on and commit to memory.