Category: Lamentations

This final chapter of the book ends on a cliffhanger. “The joy of our hearts has ceased; our dancing has been turned to mourning. The crown has fallen from our head; woe to us, for we have sinned! But you, O Lord, reign forever; your throne endures to all generations. Why do you forget us…

This chapter elaborates on Judah’s / Israel’s suffering, comparing it to other nations who did / will suffer. “For the chastisement of the daughter of my people has been greater than the punishment of Sodom, which was overthrown in a moment, and no hands were wrung for her. Her princes were purer than snow, whiter…

This chapter is similar to the last two; beginning with pure hopelessness and disdain because of circumstances / consequences, then rallying to acknowledge God’s greatness partway through. “He has made my teeth grind on gravel, and made me cower in ashes; my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is; so I…

This is a ‘dark’ chapter. The author has a pretty bleak outlook on the state of Israel / Judah, and laments that God has destroyed them in His wrath. “[The Lord] has bent his bow like an enemy… and he has killed all who were delightful in our eyes in the tent of the daughter…

This book contains 5 separate poems, possibly by 5 distinct authors, though we don’t know for sure. What we do know is they are written in the time of Judah’s exile, so they lament loss, sin, and sin’s consequences. ” ‘…Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, which was brought upon…