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Lament: In BIble

When Life Is Unfair: Biblical Lament as a Response to Grief, Loss and Discontent of All Kinds

List of Lament Psalms

Scholars have divvied up the Psalms in many different categories throughout history. The most common division of lament or complaint psalms is between individual and communal. Here they are listed and linked to Bible.com from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition released in 2021.

Individual 3, 5, 6, 7, 13, 17, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 32, 38, 39, 42, 43, 51, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 61, 63, 64, 69, 70, 71, 86, 88, 102, 109, 120, 130, 140, 141, 142, 143
Communal 44, 74, 79, 80, 83, 89

If you would like a modern translation of the Psalms please visit -

Nearly sixty percent of the Psalms are laments! Although most of the biblical laments can be found in the Psalms, there are other examples in both the Old and the New Testament. Moreover, the Psalms themselves are alluded to in other places in scripture, for example Jesus references Psalm 22 while on the cross, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?”  

Scripture References

Examples of Lament in the Bible:

You don't have to struggle alone!

If you need or want someone to talk to, please reach out to one of the on campus services or a National Hotline contact information can be found at https://belmont.libguides.com/lament/campusconnections.

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