Lamentations 5:13-22

13 The young men were crushing the grain, and the boys were falling under the wood.

14 The old men are no longer seated in the doorway, and the music of the young men has come to an end.

15 The joy of our hearts is ended; our dancing is changed into sorrow.

16 The crown has been taken from our head: sorrow is ours, for we are sinners.

17 Because of this our hearts are feeble; for these things our eyes are dark;

18 Because of the mountain of Zion which is a waste; jackals go over it.

19 You, O Lord, are seated as King for ever; the seat of your power is eternal.

20 Why have we gone from your memory for ever? why have you been turned away from us for so long?

21 Make us come back to you, O Lord, and let us be turned; make our days new again as in the past.

22 But you have quite given us up; you are full of wrath against us.

Lamentations 5:13-22 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.