Lamentations 5:14-22

14 The elders are gone from the city gate; the young men have stopped their music.

15 Joy is gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.

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

17 Because of this our hearts are faint, because of these things our eyes grow dim

18 for Mount Zion, which lies desolate, with jackals prowling over it.

19 You, LORD, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation.

20 Why do you always forget us? Why do you forsake us so long?

21 Restore us to yourself, LORD, that we may return; renew our days as of old

22 unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure.

Lamentations 5:14-22 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. S Isaiah 24:8; Jeremiah 7:34
• 2. S Jeremiah 25:10; Amos 8:10
• 3. Psalms 89:39; S Jeremiah 13:18
• 4. S Job 19:9
• 5. S Isaiah 3:11; Jeremiah 14:20
• 6. S Isaiah 1:5
• 7. S Jeremiah 8:18
• 8. Psalms 6:7
• 9. S Job 16:8
• 10. Psalms 74:2-3
• 11. S Isaiah 27:10; Micah 3:12
• 12. S 1 Chronicles 16:31
• 13. S Psalms 45:6; Psalms 102:12,24-27
• 14. S Psalms 13:1; Psalms 44:24
• 15. S Psalms 71:11
• 16. S Psalms 80:3; Isaiah 60:20-22
• 17. S Psalms 53:5; Psalms 60:1-2; S Jeremiah 6:30
• 18. S Isaiah 64:9