Lamentations 4

1 ALEPH quomodo obscuratum est aurum mutatus est color optimus dispersi sunt lapides sanctuarii in capite omnium platearum

2 BETH filii Sion incliti et amicti auro primo quomodo reputati sunt in vasa testea opus manuum figuli

3 GIMEL sed et lamiae nudaverunt mammam lactaverunt catulos suos filia populi mei crudelis quasi strutio in deserto

4 DELETH adhesit lingua lactantis ad palatum eius in siti parvuli petierunt panem et non erat qui frangeret eis

5 HE qui vescebantur voluptuose interierunt in viis qui nutriebantur in croceis amplexati sunt stercora

6 VAV et maior effecta est iniquitas filiae populi mei peccato Sodomorum quae subversa est in momento et non ceperunt in ea manus

7 ZAI candidiores nazarei eius nive nitidiores lacte rubicundiores ebore antiquo sapphyro pulchriores

8 HETH denigrata est super carbones facies eorum et non sunt cogniti in plateis adhesit cutis eorum ossibus aruit et facta est quasi lignum

9 TETH melius fuit occisis gladio quam interfectis fame quoniam isti extabuerunt consumpti ab sterilitate terrae

10 IOTH manus mulierum misericordium coxerunt filios suos facti sunt cibus earum in contritione filiae populi mei

11 CAPH conplevit Dominus furorem suum effudit iram indignationis suae et succendit ignem in Sion et devoravit fundamenta eius

12 LAMED non crediderunt reges terrae et universi habitatores orbis quoniam ingrederetur hostis et inimicus per portas Hierusalem

13 MEM propter peccata prophetarum eius iniquitates sacerdotum eius qui effuderunt in medio eius sanguinem iustorum

14 NUN erraverunt caeci in plateis polluti sunt sanguine cumque non possent tenuerunt lacinias suas

15 SAMECH recedite polluti clamaverunt eis recedite abite nolite tangere iurgati quippe sunt et commoti dixerunt inter gentes non addet ultra ut habitet in eis

16 FE facies Domini divisit eos non addet ut respiciat eos facies sacerdotum non erubuerunt neque senum miserti sunt

17 AIN cum adhuc subsisteremus defecerunt oculi nostri ad auxilium nostrum vanum cum respiceremus adtenti ad gentem quae salvare non poterat

18 SADE lubricaverunt vestigia nostra in itinere platearum nostrarum adpropinquavit finis noster conpleti sunt dies nostri quia venit finis noster

19 COPH velociores fuerunt persecutores nostri aquilis caeli super montes persecuti sunt nos in deserto insidiati sunt nobis

20 RES spiritus oris nostri christus dominus captus est in peccatis nostris cui diximus in umbra tua vivemus in gentibus

21 SEN gaude et laetare filia Edom quae habitas in terra Hus ad te quoque perveniet calix inebriaberis atque nudaberis

22 THAU conpleta est iniquitas tua filia Sion non addet ultra ut transmigret te visitavit iniquitatem tuam filia Edom discoperuit peccata tua

Lamentations 4 Commentary

Chapter 4

The deplorable state of the nation is contrasted with its ancient prosperity.

Verses 1-12 What a change is here! Sin tarnishes the beauty of the most exalted powers and the most excellent gifts; but that gold, tried in the fire, which Christ bestows, never will be taken from us; its outward appearance may be dimmed, but its real value can never be changed. The horrors of the siege and destruction of Jerusalem are again described. Beholding the sad consequences of sin in the church of old, let us seriously consider to what the same causes may justly bring down the church now. But, Lord, though we have gone from thee in rebellion, yet turn to us, and turn our hearts to thee, that we may fear thy name. Come to us, bless us with awakening, converting, renewing, confirming grace.

Verses 13-20 Nothing ripens a people more for ruin, nor fills the measure faster, than the sins of priests and prophets. The king himself cannot escape, for Divine vengeance pursues him. Our anointed King alone is the life of our souls; we may safely live under his shadow, and rejoice in Him in the midst of our enemies, for He is the true God and eternal life.

Verses 21-22 Here it is foretold that an end should be put to Zion's troubles. Not the fulness of punishment deserved, but of what God has determined to inflict. An end shall be put to Edom's triumphs. All the troubles of the church and of the believer will soon be accomplished. And the doom of their enemies approaches. The Lord will bring their sins to light, and they shall lie down in eternal sorrow. Edom here represents all the enemies of the church. And the corruption, and sin of Israel, which the prophet has proved to be universal, justifies the judgments of the Lord. It shows the need of that grace in Christ Jesus, which the sin and corruption of all mankind make so necessary.

Chapter Summary

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.