The third verse beginning with the Hebrew word for “good” starts in the same way as verse 26. Man does not single out a male in contrast to a female, and so it may be rendered “a person, anyone,” that is, “It is good for anyone…” or simply “It is good to learn to be patient….”

Bear the yoke is a metaphor referring to the yoke placed on the necks of working animals to enable them to pull together. For comments see 1.14. The sense of the expression is, as in Good News Translation, “to learn patience.” Bible en français courant says “submit himself to restraint,” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “humble himself.” Interpreters differ in regard to in his youth and “from his youth,” which is found in some Hebrew and Greek manuscripts and in the Vulgate. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project supports Revised Standard Version. This verse may be translated, for example, “It is good for a person to learn to be patient while he is still young.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on Lamentations. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1992. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .