Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 31:3

3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying , Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love d, therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee e.

The word saying being not in the original hath given advantage to some to think that the first words are either the words of some of the people owning that the Lord indeed had of old appeared to and for them, but doubting whether the kindness of God still held toward them. Or else complaining that these were old stories. To which the Prophet replies by assuring them that Gods love was not a temporary love, manifested to a single generation, but it was an everlasting love, therefore he had drawn them with loving-kindness, he had all along dealt graciously with them, that way attemping to oblige them to that duty which they owed to him, this drawing with loving kindness he calleth a drawing with the cords of men, Hos. 11.4. who ordinarily are little wrought upon by force, but won by love.

Marginal references: Heb. from afar.; Or, I have extended loving kindness to thee.