Here is indicated arguments to wipe out despair. First, by divine mercy, second, by divine justice. Third, by divine power.
To the exclusion of despair by divine mercy, two further ideas are exposed. First, is shown mercy regarding a collection of benefits, second regarding a relaxation of punishments.
Referring to divine mercy towards the collection of benefits three more notions are advanced. First is the memory of past benefits, second, the experience of present benefits. Third, is the expectation of future benefits.
For the memory of past benefits three more ideas are referred to. First, the memory induces prophets towards God, as to a due consideration of evils encountered. While saying: O Lord God you seem dissimulating while forgetting us. So, "remember my affliction": freeing us from affliction, as to loss of possessions. And: "my bitterness": as to my fault that is the cause of so much misery. Also: "the wormwood and the gall," an affliction upon humankind.
[AD 1274] Thomas Aquinas on Lamentations 3:19
To the exclusion of despair by divine mercy, two further ideas are exposed. First, is shown mercy regarding a collection of benefits, second regarding a relaxation of punishments.
Referring to divine mercy towards the collection of benefits three more notions are advanced. First is the memory of past benefits, second, the experience of present benefits. Third, is the expectation of future benefits.
For the memory of past benefits three more ideas are referred to. First, the memory induces prophets towards God, as to a due consideration of evils encountered. While saying: O Lord God you seem dissimulating while forgetting us. So, "remember my affliction": freeing us from affliction, as to loss of possessions. And: "my bitterness": as to my fault that is the cause of so much misery. Also: "the wormwood and the gall," an affliction upon humankind.