Lamentations 5:17-22

17 Because of this our ¹heart is faint, Because of these things our ²eyes are dim;

18 Because of ³Mount Zion which lies desolate, ⁴Foxes prowl in it.

19 ⁵You, O LORD, rule forever; Your ⁶throne is from generation to generation.

20 Why do You ⁷forget us forever? Why do You forsake us so * long *?

21 ⁸Restore us to You, O LORD, that we may be restored; Renew ⁹our days as of old,

22 Unless * ¹⁰You have utterly rejected us And are exceedingly * ¹¹angry with us.

Lamentations 5:17-22 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.

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 1:5
• 2. Job 17:7; Lamentations 2:11
• 3. Micah 3:12
• 4. Nehemiah 4:3
• 5. Ps 102:12, 25-27
• 6. Psalms 45:6
• 7. Psalms 13:1; Psalms 44:24
• 8. Psalms 80:3; Jeremiah 31:18
• 9. Isaiah 60:20-22
• 10. Psalms 60:1, 2; Jeremiah 7:29
• 11. Isaiah 64:9

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "sit"
• [b] Lit "to length of days"