Lamentations 2:18-19

18 Their 1heart cried out to the Lord, "O 2wall of the daughter of Zion, Let your 3tears run down like a river day and night; Give yourself no relief, Let your eyes have no rest.
19 "Arise, cry aloud in the 4night At the beginning of the night watches; 5Pour out your heart like water Before the presence of the Lord; Lift up your hands to Him For the 6life of your little ones Who are 7faint because of hunger At the head of every street."

Lamentations 2:18-19 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LAMENTATIONS 2

This chapter contains another alphabet, in which the Prophet Jeremiah, or those he represents, lament the sad condition of Jerusalem; the destruction of the city and temple, and of all persons and things relative to them, and to its civil or church state; and that as being from the hand of the Lord himself, who is represented all along as the author thereof, because of their sins, La 2:1-9; and then the elders and virgins of Zion are represented as in great distress, and weeping for those desolations; which were very much owing to the false prophets, that had deceived them, La 2:10-14; and all this occasioned great rejoicing in the enemies of Zion, La 2:15-17; but sorrow of heart to Zion herself, who is called to weeping, La 2:18,19; and the chapter is concluded with an address to the Lord, to take this her sorrowful case into consideration, and show pity and compassion, La 2:20-22.

Cross References 7

  • 1. Psalms 119:145; Hosea 7:14
  • 2. Lamentations 2:8; Habakkuk 2:11
  • 3. Psalms 119:136; Jeremiah 9:1; Lamentations 1:2, 16; Lamentations 3:48, 49
  • 4. Psalms 42:3; Isaiah 26:9
  • 5. 1 Samuel 1:15; Psalms 42:4; Psalms 62:8
  • 6. Lamentations 2:11
  • 7. Isaiah 51:20

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Lit "the daughter of your eye"
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