Lamentations 5:1-10

1 Remember, O Lord, what has happened to us. Look at us, and see our disgrace.

2 Our property is in the hands of strangers; foreigners are living in our homes.

3 Our fathers have been killed by the enemy, and now our mothers are widows.

4 We must pay for the water we drink; we must buy the wood we need for fuel.

5 Driven hard like donkeys or camels, we are tired, but are allowed no rest.

6 To get food enough to stay alive, we went begging to Egypt and Assyria.

7 Our ancestors sinned, but now they are gone, and we are suffering for their sins.

8 Our rulers are no better than slaves, and no one can save us from their power.

9 Murderers roam through the countryside; we risk our lives when we look for food.

10 Hunger has made us burn with fever until our skin is as hot as an oven.

Lamentations 5:1-10 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.