Lamentations 5:1-9

1 "Remember, O LORD, what has happened to us. Take a look at our disgrace!

2 "The land we inherited has been turned over to strangers. Our homes have been turned over to foreigners.

3 We are orphans without a father. Our mothers are like widows.

4 We have to pay to drink our own water. We have to pay to chop our own wood.

5 [Our enemies] are breathing down our necks. We are worn out [and] not permitted to rest.

6 We had to beg Egypt and Assyria for food.

7 Our ancestors sinned. Now they are gone, [but] we have to take the punishment for their wickedness.

8 Slaves rule us. There is no one to rescue us from them.

9 To get our food, we have to risk our lives in the heat of the desert.

Lamentations 5:1-9 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.