Lamentations 5:1-6

The people’s complaint

1 LORD, consider what has become of us; take notice of our disgrace. Look at it!

2 Our property has been turned over to strangers; our houses belong to foreigners.

3 We have become orphans, having no father; our mothers are like widows.

4 We drink our own water—but for a price; we gather our own wood—but pay for it.

5 Our hunters have been at our necks; we are worn out, but have no rest.

6 We held out a hand to Egypt and to Assyria, to get sufficient food.

Lamentations 5:1-6 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.

Footnotes

• [a] Heb uncertain