Lamentations - At A Glance

Theme: Jeremiah is called the weeping prophet. He was heart broken over the destruction of Jerusalem. Lamentations has prophecy, ritual and wisdom. It is written in the rhythm and style of ancient Jewish funeral songs or chants. Each chapter is a poem.

Lamentations 1
At a Glance (22 V)
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1-5_Jerusalem used to be full of people but now sits empty. She was a princess but now is a forced laborer. There is none to comfort her. Those who said they loved her have dealt treacherously. The appointed feasts are no more. Her adversaries have become her masters. The LORD has caused her grief because of her many transgressions.

__6-11_Her majesty is departed. Her princes have fled before the pursuer. In these days of affliction she remembers how it used to be in the good old days. Jerusalem has become an unclean thing, despised, naked. Other nations have entered her sanctuary. The people give their precious things for bread.

__12-16_It might seem like nothing to you but the LORD in His fierce anger has dealt severely with me. He has given me into the hands of those I cannot resist. The young men are without strength. The virgin daughter of Judah is trodden by the LORD as in a winepress. For these things I weep. My children are desolate.

__17-22_Zion stretches out her hands and no one comforts her. The LORD Who is righteous has ordained what has happened because I rebelled against His command. Those I loved now want nothing to do with me. See, O Lord, how I am distressed. My spirit is greatly troubled with no one to comfort. I have been so rebellious.

Lamentations 2
At a Glance (22 V)
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1-7_The LORD is extremely displeased with the daughter of Zion. In His wrath He has thrown down Judah's strongholds and removed His protection. The LORD Himself has become as an enemy, multiplying mourning and moaning. He has rejected His alter and abandoned his sanctuary, delivering it into the hand of the enemy.

__8-10_The LORD determined to destroy the walls of Zion. Now her walls languish and her gates sink into the ground. Her royalty is dispersed among the nations. The law is no more and her prophets have no vision from the LORD. The elders sit on the ground in silence. They wear sackcloth and throw dust on their heads.

__11-15_My eyes fail me because of my tears. I am greatly troubled over the destruction of my people. Little ones beg their mothers for food. To what shall I liken you as I try to comfort you? I wonder who can heal you? Your iniquity has been exposed. All who see this city marvel at how low she has been brought.

__16-22_All your enemies deride you. The LORD has done what He said He would do, causing the enemy to rejoice over you. Let your tears fall day and night. What has become of us? Should people eat their children? Should priest and prophet be slain in the LORD's sanctuary? The dead lie everywhere. No one has escaped the LORD's anger.

Lamentations 3
At a Glance (66 V)
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1-18_I have seen the affliction that is the result of God's wrath. I feel His hand against me all day. He has caused me to waste away and my bones to be broken. I am surrounded by bitterness. I feel as though He does not listen to my call for help. I have forgotten happiness and my strength has perished as has my hope in the LORD.

__19-38_Remember my afflictions and bitterness. I recall that the LORD's loving-kindness never ceases. It is renewed every morning. Great is Your faithfulness. You are good to those who seek You and wait for You. The LORD will not reject forever. Neither does He approve of injustice. Only good comes from His mouth.

__39-66_In view of one's sins, how can he complain? Let us examine our ways and return to the LORD. We have transgressed and rebelled, and You have not finished punishing us. Do not hide Your ear from hearing my request for relief, O Lord, You have pleaded my cause and redeemed my life. Judge my case and note the schemes of mine enemies.

Lamentations 4
At a Glance (22 V)
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1-8_How unattractive gold has become. The precious sons of Zion are regarded as mere earthen jars of little value. The daughter of my people has become cruel. The infants are hungry. Children ask for bread. How did this happen? The iniquity of my people is worse than that of Sodom. The pure ones are now defiled.

__9-15_It is better to have been slain with the sword that to be waiting to die of hunger. Once compassionate women now boil their children for food. The LORD has poured out His wrath on Zion, down to its very foundations. No one thought Jerusalem could be over thrown. The sins of her prophets and priests are called into judgment.

__16-22_The presence of the LORD has scattered them. Looking for help has been of no avail. Those who pursue us are swifter than eagles. Do not be overly happy, Edom. The cup will come to you as well. Zion's punishment has been completed. Edom's sins will also be exposed.

Lamentations 5
At a Glance (22 V)
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1-13_Remember, O Lord, what has happened to us. Our inheritance has been given to strangers. We are as orphans. We have borne the iniquities of our fathers and are now beyond rescue. The young women are ravished and the princes are hung by their hands. Elders are no longer respected and the youth work as slaves.

__14-22_Elders no longer sit in the gate. Young men are without their music. Our joy is no more. Instead of dancing we now mourn. Our hearts faint. Mount Zion is desolate.

Thou Lord shall rule forever.

Why have You forgotten us for so long? Renew us as in former days. Please do not reject us forever.

Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5