Lamentations 5:8-18

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.

12 Princes were hung by the hands; they did not respect our older leaders.

13 The young men ground grain at the mill, and boys stumbled under loads of wood.

14 The older leaders no longer sit at the city gates; the young men no longer sing.

15 We have no more joy in our hearts; our dancing has turned to sadness.

16 The crown has fallen from our head. How terrible it is because we sinned.

17 Because of this we are afraid, and now our eyes are dim.

18 Mount Zion is empty, and wild dogs wander around it.

Lamentations 5:8-18 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.