Lamentations 5:13-22

13 Young men are compelled to grind at the mill, boys stagger under loads of wood.

14 The old men have deserted the city gate, the young men have given up their music.

15 Joy has vanished from our hearts, our dancing has turned into mourning.

16 The crown has fallen from our heads. Woe to us! for we have sinned.

17 This is why our hearts are sick; this is why our eyes grow dim -

18 it's because of Mount Tziyon, so wasted that jackals have overrun it.

19 You, ADONAI, reign forever; your throne endures through all generations.

20 Why do you never remember us? Why abandon us for so long a time?

21 ADONAI, turn us back to you; and we will come back; renew our days, as they were in the past -

22 unless you have totally rejected us in a fury that knows no limits. [ADONAI, turn us back to you; and we will come back; renew our days, as they were in the past.]

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.