Lamentations 5 - Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments
  • Lamentations 5:1 open_in_new

    Remember, O Lord] Like the initial sentences of the other poems, the opening words strike the key of what follows. The poet is about to pray, so he secures first of all God's attention.

  • Lamentations 5:1-22 open_in_new

    Zion's earnest Petition for Deliverance

    This final poem is not so much an elegy as a prayer or meditation. The tone is more calm and spiritual than the others, with no trace of vindictiveness. The poet, speaking for the people, 'will have God know everything.' Though divided into 22 vv., it is not an acrostic. Rhyme takes the place of the alphabetical structure, the poem having not less than 45 words ending in the sound u: cp. Psalms 124. Like Lamentations 4, each v. is composed of two members which are balanced with the greatest care, both as to form and thought. In the Vulgate this chapter is given a separate title, 'Oratio Jeremias prophetse.'

    1-18. A pathetic review of Zion's condition.

  • Lamentations 5:3 open_in_new

    Our mothers are as widows] i.e. without protection and support. 5 Our necks are under persecution] RV 'our pursuers are upon our necks.'

  • Lamentations 5:8 open_in_new

    Servants have ruled over us] Babylonian satraps were often simply house-hold favourites, promoted by the king to posts of honour, such as the headship of the wretched remnant of Judah (Jeremiah 39:3).

  • Lamentations 5:9 open_in_new

    We gat] RV 'We got,' lit. 'we bring in.' Because of the sword of the wilderness] alluding to the raids of the Bedouins, who may have fallen upon the remnant in their attempts to snatch a little food.

  • Lamentations 5:16 open_in_new

    The crown is fallen from our head] a figurative expression conveying the thought that Zion has lost her dignity of statehood.

    Woe unto us, that we have sinned] a distinct confession on the part of the people, and the effect desired has been obtained.

  • Lamentations 5:17 open_in_new

    For this.. for these things] loss of nationality and present distress respectively.

    19-22. A final appeal to Jehovah to remove Zion's reproach.

    The book closes with a majestic apostrophe to Jehovah.

  • Lamentations 5:22 open_in_new

    But] RV 'unless,' which is better; for that Jehovah has utterly rejected Zion is to the poet unthinkable. The tone of the v., however, is so melancholy that in some MSS Lamentations 5:21 is repeated; so that, in reading the roll in the synagogue, the book might end more hopefully. The Jews delighted in cheerful conclusions. Similar repetitions occur at the close of Ecclesiastes, Isaiah, and Malachi.