Lamentations 4:1-9

1 Our glittering gold has grown dull; the stones of the Temple lie scattered in the streets.

2 Zion's young people were as precious to us as gold, but now they are treated like common clay pots.

3 Even a mother wolf will nurse her cubs, but my people are like ostriches, cruel to their young.

4 They let their babies die of hunger and thirst; children are begging for food that no one will give them.

5 People who once ate the finest foods die starving in the streets; those raised in luxury are pawing through garbage for food.

6 My people have been punished even more than the inhabitants of Sodom, ¹ which met a sudden downfall at the hands of God.

7 Our princes were undefiled and pure as snow, vigorous and strong, glowing with health.

8 Now they lie unknown in the streets, their faces blackened in death; their skin, dry as wood, has shriveled on their bones.

9 Those who died in the war were better off than those who died later, who starved slowly to death, with no food to keep them alive.

Lamentations 4:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LAMENTATIONS 4

The prophet begins this chapter with a complaint of the ill usage of the dear children of God, and precious sons of Zion, La 4:1,2; relates the dreadful effects of the famine during the siege of Jerusalem, La 4:3-10; the taking and destruction of that city he imputes to the wrath of God; and represents it as incredible to the kings and inhabitants of the earth, La 4:11,12; the causes of which were the sins of the prophets, priests, and people, La 4:13-16; expresses the vain hopes they once had, but now were given up entirely, their king being taken, La 4:17-20; and the chapter is concluded with a prophecy of the destruction of the Edomites, and of the return of the Jews from captivity, La 4:21,22.

Cross References

• 1. 4.6Genesis 19.24.

Footnotes

• [a]. princes; [or] Nazirites.