Lamentations of Jeremiah

Associated since the Septuagint with Jeremiah.

The first four chapters are acrostics, with each verse beginning with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. All the chapter have 22 verses (the number of letters of the Hebrew in the alphabet). The last chapter, however, is not an acrostic.


1

How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! The city is a widow. Desolate. Beauty has departed from the daughter of Zion. Her nakedness has been seen, and she therefore courts dishonour. Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow. The daughter of Judah is crushed as in a winepress. Lamentation of sin expressed in the first person.


2

The daughter of Zion is covered with the cloud of the Lord’s anger. The Lord has been pitiless. He has burned against Judah like a flaming fire. The Lord is now an enemy. He has taken away his tabernacle, ie, his presence has departed. Feasts and Sabbaths are forgotten in Zion. The elders are girded with sackcloth casting dust on their heads. Enemies hiss and gnash. Arise in the night and pour out thine heart like water. Virgins and young men are dead by the sword.


3

I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. The Lord has brought me into darkness and old age. My prayers are shut out. The Lord attacks with a bow, breaking teeth; the Lord is compared to a bear or a lion. However, the Lord has stopped short of complete destruction. The Lord will not cast off forever. The author models the repentance he deems appropriate, and prays for vengeance on his enemies.


4

Gold has become dim. Children lack bread. The iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom. Those not slain by the sword die lingeringly of hunger. The Nazarites have gone from being purer than snow to having visages blacker than coal. The ruin of the exultant Edomites is predicted – there is an ironic invitation for Edom to rejoice, drink and be naked. The punishment of Zion is accomplished (ie completed).


5

The Lord is invited to remember the reproaches that Judah has borne. The people have been humiliated, and dancing has turned to mourning. The Lord, however, remains forever. Turn unto us – but thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us.