The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV, page 378
18w They 9tracked our steps
So that we could not walk in our streets.
x Our end was near;
Our days were over,
For our end had come.
19Our pursuers were yswifter
Than the eagles of the heavens.
They pursued us on the mountains
And lay in wait for us in the wilderness.
20The zbreath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD,
a Was caught in their pits,
Of whom we said, “Under his shadow
We shall live among the nations.”
21Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of bEdom,
You who dwell in the land of Uz!
c The cup shall also pass over to you
And you shall become drunk and make yourself naked.
22d The punishment of your iniquity 10is accomplished,
O daughter of Zion;
He will no longer send you into captivity.
e He will punish your iniquity,
O daughter of Edom;
He will uncover your sins!
Lamentations 5
A Prayer for Restoration
1Remember, aO LORD, what has come upon us;
Look, and behold bour reproach!
2c Our inheritance has been turned over to aliens,
And our houses to foreigners.
3We have become orphans and waifs,
Our mothers are like dwidows.
4We pay for the water we drink,
And our wood comes at a price.
5e They pursue at our 1heels;
We labor and have no rest.
6f We have given our hand gto the Egyptians
And the hAssyrians, to be satisfied with bread.
7i Our fathers sinned and are no more,
But we bear their iniquities.
8Servants rule over us;
There is none to deliver us from their hand.
9We get our bread at the risk of our lives,
Because of the sword in the wilderness.
10Our skin is hot as an oven,
Because of the fever of famine.
11They jravished the women in Zion,
The maidens in the cities of Judah.
12Princes were hung up by their hands,
And elders were not respected.
13Young men kground at the millstones;
Boys staggered under loads of wood.
14The elders have ceased gathering at the gate,
And the young men from their lmusic.
15The joy of our heart has ceased;
Our dance has turned into mmourning.
16n The crown has fallen from our head.
Woe to us, for we have sinned!
17Because of this our heart is faint;
o Because of these things our eyes grow dim;
18Because of Mount Zion which is pdesolate,
With foxes walking about on it.
19You, O LORD, qremain forever;
r Your throne from generation to generation.
20s Why do You forget us forever,
And forsake us for so long a time?
21t Turn us back to You, O LORD, and we will be 2restored;
Renew our days as of old,
22Unless You have utterly rejected us,
And are very angry with us!
Lamentations Commentaries
Lamentations 1
1:1–22 How lonely sits the city. Jerusalem was lonely, its people mourning (v. 2), forsaken by formerly friendly nations (v. 2), in captivity (v. 3), uprooted from their land (v. 3), their temple violated (v. 10). The multitude of sins (vv. 5, 8) had brought this judgment from the righteous God (v. 18).
1:1 How like a widow. Verses 1–11 vividly portray the city like a bereft and desolate woman, as often in other Scriptures (cf. Ezek. 16, 23; Mic. 4:10, 13). a slave. Judah was taken captive to serve as slaves in Babylon.
1:2 She has none to comfort her. This ominous theme is mentioned 4 other times (vv. 9, 16, 17, 21). lovers…friends…have become her enemies. This refers to the heathen nations allied to Judah, and their idols whom Judah “loved” (Jer. 2:20–25). Some later joined as enemies against her (2 Kin. 24:2, 7; Ps. 137:7).
1:3 captivity. Ca. 586 B.C. as in Jer. 39, 40, 52. There had been two deportations earlier, in 605 B.C. and 597 B.C. (cf. Introduction: Author and Date).
1:4 Zion. This represents the place where Jehovah dwells, the mount on which the temple was built. set feasts. Passover, Pentecost (Feast of Weeks), and Tabernacles (cf. Ex. 23; Lev. 23). priests sigh. These were among those left in Judah before fleeing to Egypt (Jer. 43), or possibly exiles in Babylon who mourned from afar (cf. v. 3).
1:5 the multitude of her transgressions. This was the cause of the judgment (cf. Jer. 40:3; Dan. 9:7, 16).
1:8 become vile. This could refer to either the vile, wretched estate of continued sin and its ruinous consequences through judgment, or to being “moved, removed,” as the LXX and Vg. translate it. Probably the former is correct, as befits the third and fourth lines, i.e., a despised, shameful, naked condition in contrast to her former splendor (cf. v. 6b).
1:9 Her uncleanness is in her skirts. A graphic description of the flow of spiritual uncleanness reaching the bottom of her dress (cf. Lev. 15:19–33).
1:10 enter her sanctuary. This was true of the Ammonites and Moabites (Deut. 23:3; Neh. 13:1, 2). If the heathen were not allowed to enter for worship, much less were they tolerated to loot and destroy. On a future day, the nations will come to worship (Zech. 14:16).
1:11 See, O LORD. The description of the devastated widow ends with a plea for God’s mercy.
1:12 all you who pass by. Here was the pathetic appeal of Jerusalem for some compassion even from strangers!
1:13 fire into my bones. This emphasizes the penetrating depth of the judgment. turned me back. God’s purpose was to bring repentance.
1:14 yoke of my transgressions…by His hands. Once the farmer had put the yoke on the animal’s neck, he would control it with the reins in his hands. So God, who has brought Jerusalem under yoke-bondage to Babylon, still controlled His people.
1:15 an assembly against me. Not the usual assembly for a solemn feast; rather the army of Babylon for destruction. in a winepress. Speaks of forcing blood to burst forth like juice from crushed grapes. Comparable language is used in Rev. 14:20 and 19:15 in regard to God’s final wrath.
1:17 unclean. This refers to a menstruous woman, shamed, separated from her husband and the temple (cf. vv. 8, 9 and Lev. 15:19ff.).
1:18 The LORD is righteous…I rebelled. The true sign of repentance was to justify God and condemn oneself.
1:21, 22 Bring on the day. A prayer that God will likewise bring other ungodly people into judgment, especially Babylon (3:64–66; 4:21, 22). Such prayers are acceptable against the enemies of God (cf. Ps. 109:14, 15).
1:22 come before You. Cf. Rev. 16:19.
Lamentations 2
2:1 How the Lord has. Much in Lam. 2 depicts God’s judgment in vivid portrayals. He covered the Judeans with a cloud (v. 1), withdrew His hand of protection (v. 3), bent His bow and had slain with His arrows (v. 4), and stretched out a surveyor’s line to mark walls to be destroyed (v. 8). He will work a rebuilding of Jerusalem in the future kingdom (Zech. 2:1–13). The beauty of Israel. Likely refers to Mt. Zion and the temple (cf. Pss. 48:2; 50:2; Is. 60:13; 64:11; Ezek. 16:14; Dan. 11:45). His footstool. Refers to the ark of the covenant as indicated by 1 Chr. 28:2 and Pss. 99:5; 132:7.
2:2 He has thrown down. The Lord had cast down the bastions of Judah’s defense, as He told Jeremiah He would do from the outset of his ministry (Jer. 1:10).
2:3 Every horn. Serves as an emblem of power, as exemplified in animals.
2:6–11 Tragedy comes to everything and everyone through sin. The account mentions the temple where Israelites came to worship (v. 6), feasts and Sabbaths (v. 6), leaders such as the king and priests (v. 6), His altar and holy places (v. 7), city walls (v. 8), the law (v. 9), and children in the family (v. 11).
2:6, 7 Cf. 1:4.
2:7 noise in the house of the LORD as on the day of a set feast. A shout of triumph in the captured temple resembled the joyous celebrations in the same place at the solemn feasts.
2:11, 12 This description of Babylon’s invasion depicted the reality of a hungry child dying in its mother’s arms as a result.
2:14 False and deceptive visions. As Jer. 23:16, 17 indicates, these lies spoke of peace and comfort, not judgment. Cf. Jer. 23:30–40 to see how such lying led to destruction.
2:17 He has fulfilled His word. The enemy that gloats in vv. 15, 16 should recognize that the destruction was the work of a sovereign God. This verse is the focal point of the chapter (cf. Jer. 51:12).
2:18 wall of the daughter of Zion. The penetrated walls of Jerusalem cried out in anguish that they had been broached by the Babylonians.
2:20 See, O LORD, and consider! The chapter closes by placing the issue before God. women eat their offspring. Hunger became so desperate in the 18-month siege that women resorted to the unbelievable—even eating their children (cf. 4:10; Lev. 26:29; Deut. 28:53, 56, 57; Jer. 19:9).
2:21 the day of Your anger. This describes the complete slaughter, as does 2 Chr. 36:17.
Lamentations 3
3:1–20 the man who has seen affliction. Jeremiah’s distress in such tragedy comes from God, referred to as “He” throughout this section. Even the righteous experience “the rod of God’s wrath.”
3:8 He shuts out my prayer. Cf. v. 44. God’s non-response to Jeremiah’s prayers was not because Jeremiah was guilty of personal sin (cf. Ps. 66:18); rather, it was due to Israel’s perpetual sin without repentance (Jer. 19:15). God’s righteousness to judge that sin must pursue its course (Jer. 7:16, and see note there; 11:14). Jeremiah knew that, yet prayed, wept (vv. 48–51), and longed to see repentance.
Lam. 3:9
Other Laments
Job 3:3-26; 7:1-21; 10:1-22
Psalms (over 40) e.g. Pss. 3, 120
Jeremiah 15:15-18; 17:14-18; 18:19-23
Ezek. 19:1-14; 27:1-36; 32:1-21
3:16 broken my teeth with gravel. This refers to the grit that often mixed with bread baked in ashes as was common in the E (cf. Prov. 20:17).
3:21–33 The relentless sorrow over Judah’s judgment drove Jeremiah to consider the grace, mercy, and compassion of God. The tone of his thinking changed dramatically.
3:21 This I recall. The prophet referred to what followed as he reviewed God’s character.
3:22 mercies. This Heb. word, used about 250 times in the OT, refers to God’s gracious love. It is a comprehensive term that encompasses love, grace, mercy, goodness, forgiveness, truth, compassion, and faithfulness.
3:22–24 His compassions fail not. As bleak as the situation of judgment had become, God’s covenant lovingkindness was always present (cf. vv. 31, 32), and His incredible faithfulness always endured so that Judah would not be destroyed forever (cf. Mal. 3:6).
3:23 Great is Your faithfulness. The bedrock of faith is the reality that God keeps all His promises according to His truthful, faithful character.
3:27 The yoke in his youth. This speaks of the duty from God, including disciplinary training, that Jeremiah received in his youth (cf. Jer. 1:6, 7).
3:29 mouth in the dust. A term which pictures submission.
3:30 give his cheek. The Lord Jesus did this (cf. Is. 50:6; 1 Pet. 2:23).
3:33–47 God had a just basis for judgment.
3:38 This contrasted God’s sovereign bestowal of judgment with blessing.
Lam. 3:39
Beyond Lamentations
Hope of Restoration
1. Isaiah 35:1–10
2. Jeremiah 30:1—31:40
3. Ezekiel 37:1–28
4. Hosea 3:5, 14:1–9
5. Joel 3:18–21
6. Amos 9:11–15
7. Micah 7:14–20
8. Zephaniah 3:14–20
9. Zechariah 14:1–11
10. Malachi 4:1–6
3:40, 41 turn back to the LORD. The solution to Judah’s judgment was to repent, looking to God for relief and restoration.
3:42 not pardoned. God judged their sin righteously.
3:48–51 My eyes. The summary of Jeremiah’s sorrow.
3:52–63 My enemies. Jeremiah’s description of persecution sounded much like the time when his enemies at the palace had cast him into a cistern (cf. v. 53; Jer. 38:4–6). God reassured him in answer to prayer (v. 57), and redeemed him (v. 58) by sending Ebed-melech to rescue him (cf. Jer. 38:7–13). Jeremiah pleads for justice to be rendered on those enemies (vv. 59–63).
3:58 You have redeemed my life. Jeremiah said this to encourage others to trust God.
3:64–66 Repay them. This imprecatory prayer for divine vengeance would be answered in Babylon’s fall (cf. Is. 46, 47; Jer. 50, 51; Dan. 5). It would also have its ultimate answer at the Great White Throne (Rev. 20:11–15).
Lamentations 4
4:1 gold has become dim. The gold adornment of the temple, looted by the conquerors, lost its luster with a coating of dust where they scattered the remains.
4:3 nurse their young. Even worthless jackals by nature nurse their young, but under the severities of conquest, Israelite women were unable to nurse their babies (cf. v. 4). Like ostriches. Birds which are notable for ignoring their young (cf. Job 39:14–16).
4:6 the sin of Sodom. Their sin was homosexuality. The fact that the suffering of Jerusalem was prolonged, while that of even Sodom was swift, marks it as the greater punishment (cf. 1 Pet. 4:17).
4:7, 8 Nazirites. Those who were the purest, most devout (cf. Num. 6), strong, healthy, and noble of the people became dirty, weak, and ignoble.
4:10 cooked…children. Cf. 2:20, and see note there.
4:15 Go away. The people chased the false leaders away.
4:16 The face of the LORD. This was symbolic of divine anger. The Jews had to face up to God.
4:20 The breath of our nostrils. This was a term for God, the life-giver.
4:21, 22 Edom…land of Uz. In effect God said, “Laugh all you want now. Your judgment will come” (cf. Jer. 25:15–29).
Lamentations 5
5:1 Remember, O LORD. Jeremiah prayed for mercy on his people. He summed up the nation’s wounds and woes (vv. 1–10), recalled woes of specific groups (vv. 11–14), showed why God judged (vv. 15–18), and interceded for the renewal of Israel (vv. 19–22; cf. Mic. 7:18–20).
5:6 the Egyptians…the Assyrians. The Jews submitted to unholy alliances, thus expressing trust in men for protection and goods (cf. Jer. 2:18, 36).
5:7 This is a cynical proverb from Jer. 31:29 and Ezek. 18:2.
5:8–18 A list of horrors that had befallen Judah.
5:16 The crown has fallen. Israel lost its line of kings wearing the crown. The Davidic monarchy was temporarily over and will not be resumed until Christ comes as King (Jer. 23:5–8; Ezek. 37:24–28; Rev. 19:1–21).
5:19 Your throne from generation. Here is the high point of this chapter. Jeremiah was consoled by the fact that God always sits on His sovereign throne ruling over the universe from heaven (Pss. 45:6; 93:2; 102:12; 103:19; Dan. 4:3, 34, 35).
5:21 Turn us back to You. God must Himself initiate and enable any return to Him (cf. Ps. 80:3, 7, 19; Jer. 24:7; 31:18; John 6:44, 65). Renew our days. The intercessions of vv. 19–22 will yet be fulfilled in the New Covenant restoration of Israel (cf. Jer. 30–33, and see notes there).
5:21, 22 This plea was not made with anger. The humble closing prayer sought God, who can never reject His people forever, to be faithful in restoring them (cf. Jer. 31:35–37; 33:25, 26). In fact, their godly sorrow over sin was the beginning of that restoration, which would be completed by turning to God in faith and obedience.
Lamentations 1
1:1 a Is. 47:7–9
1:1 b 1 Kin. 4:21; Ezra 4:20; Jer. 31:7
1:1 1 Lit. forced laborer
1:2 c Jer. 13:17
1:2 d Job 7:3
1:3 e Jer. 52:27
1:3 f Lam. 2:9
1:3 g Deut. 28:65
1:3 2 Gentiles
1:4 h Is. 27:10
1:4 3 appointed
1:5 i Deut. 28:43
1:5 j Jer. 30:14, 15; Dan. 9:7, 16
1:5 k Jer. 52:28
1:5 4 Lit. her head
1:6 5 Lit. are gone
1:7 l Ps. 137:1
1:7 6 Vg. Sabbaths
1:8 m (1 Kin. 8:46)
1:8 n Jer. 13:22; Ezek. 16:37; Hos. 2:10
1:8 7 LXX, Vg. moved or removed
1:9 o Deut. 32:29; Is. 47:7; Jer. 5:31
1:10 p Ps. 74:4–8; Is. 64:10, 11; Jer. 51:51
1:10 q Deut. 23:3; Neh. 13:1
1:10 8 desirable
1:10 9 holy place, the temple
1:11 r Jer. 38:9; 52:6
1:11 10 hunt food
1:11 11 desirable things
1:12 s Dan. 9:12
1:12 12 Lit. pass by this way
1:13 t Ezek. 12:13; 17:20
1:14 u Deut. 28:48
1:14 13 So with MT, Tg.; LXX, Syr., Vg. watched over
1:15 v Is. 63:3; (Rev. 14:19)
1:16 w Ps. 69:20; Eccl. 4:1; Jer. 13:17; Lam. 2:18
1:17 x (Is. 1:15); Jer. 4:31
1:17 y 2 Kin. 24:2–4; Jer. 12:9
1:17 14 Prays
1:18 z Neh. 9:33; Ps. 119:75; Dan. 9:7, 14
1:18 a 1 Sam. 12:14, 15; Jer. 4:17
1:18 15 Lit. mouth
1:20 b Job 30:27; Is. 16:11; Jer. 4:19; Lam. 2:11; Hos. 11:8
1:20 c Deut. 32:25; Ezek. 7:15
1:20 16 Lit. inward parts
1:21 d Ps. 35:15; Jer. 48:27; 50:11; Lam. 2:15; Obad. 12
1:21 e Is. 13; (Jer. 46)
1:21 17 proclaimed
1:22 f Neh. 4:4, 5; Ps. 109:15; 137:7, 8; Jer. 30:16
Lamentations 2
2:1 a (Lam. 3:44)
2:1 b Matt. 11:23
2:1 c 2 Sam. 1:19
2:1 d 1 Chr. 28:2; Ps. 99:5; Ezek. 43:7
2:2 e Ps. 21:9; Lam. 3:43
2:2 f Ps. 89:39, 40; Is. 43:28
2:3 g Ps. 74:11; Jer. 21:4, 5
2:3 h Ps. 89:46
2:3 1 Strength
2:4 i Is. 63:10
2:4 j Ezek. 24:25
