Lamentations 5:12-22

12 Princes were hung by their hands; 1Elders were not respected.
13 Young men 2worked at the grinding mill, And youths 3stumbled under loads of wood.
14 Elders are gone from the gate, Young men from their 4music.
15 The joy of our hearts has 5ceased; Our dancing has been turned into mourning.
16 The 6crown has fallen from our head; 7Woe to us, for we have sinned!
17 Because of this our 8heart is faint, Because of these things our 9eyes are dim;
18 Because of 10Mount Zion which lies desolate, 11Foxes prowl in it.
19 12You, O LORD, rule forever; Your 13throne is from generation to generation.
20 Why do You 14forget us forever? Why do You forsake us so * long *?
21 15Restore us to You, O LORD, that we may be restored; Renew 16our days as of old,
22 Unless * 17You have utterly rejected us And are exceedingly * 18angry with us.

Lamentations 5:12-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LAMENTATIONS 5

In this chapter are reckoned up the various calamities and distresses of the Jews in Babylon, which the Lord is desired to remember and consider, La 5:1-16; their great concern for the desolation of the temple in particular is expressed, La 5:17,18; and the chapter is concluded with a prayer that God would show favour to them, and turn them to him, and renew their prosperity as of old, though he had rejected them, and been wroth with them, La 5:19-22.

Cross References 18

  • 1. Isaiah 47:6; Lamentations 4:16
  • 2. Judges 16:21
  • 3. Jeremiah 7:18
  • 4. Isaiah 24:8; Jeremiah 7:34
  • 5. Jeremiah 25:10; Amos 8:10
  • 6. Job 19:9; Psalms 89:39; Jeremiah 13:18
  • 7. Isaiah 3:9-11
  • 8. Isaiah 1:5
  • 9. Job 17:7; Lamentations 2:11
  • 10. Micah 3:12
  • 11. Nehemiah 4:3
  • 12. Ps 102:12, 25-27
  • 13. Psalms 45:6
  • 14. Psalms 13:1; Psalms 44:24
  • 15. Psalms 80:3; Jeremiah 31:18
  • 16. Isaiah 60:20-22
  • 17. Psalms 60:1, 2; Jeremiah 7:29
  • 18. Isaiah 64:9

Footnotes 5

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