Surah Ar-Rum 30:49

وَإِن كَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يُنَزَّلَ عَلَيْهِم مِّن قَبْلِهِۦ لَمُبْلِسِينَ

Although they were, before it was sent down upon them - before that, in despair.

Translation: Saheeh International

Tafsir

Though indeed before it was sent down upon them before that min qablihi is repeated for emphasis they had been despondent despairing of its sending down.

Excerpt from Tafsir al-Jalalayn, commentary on 30:49, via Quran.com. The reader has the full commentary and 9 more tafsirs.