Lamentations 5:1-11

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

2 Our land has been turned over to strangers; our houses have been given to foreigners.

3 We are like orphans with no father; our mothers are like widows.

4 We have to buy the water we drink; we must pay for the firewood.

5 Those who chase after us want to catch us by the neck. We are tired and find no rest.

6 We made an agreement with Egypt and with Assyria to get enough food.

7 Our ancestors sinned against you, but they are gone; now we suffer because of their sins.

8 Slaves have become our rulers, and no one can save us from them.

9 We risk our lives to get our food; we face death in the desert.

10 Our skin is hot like an oven; we burn with starvation.

11 The enemy abused the women of Jerusalem and the girls in the cities of Judah.

Lamentations 5:1-11 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.