Lamentations 5
The people of Judah lament their current state of suffering and subjugation, recalling how their inheritance has been taken over by foreigners and they have been forced to pay for basic necessities. They acknowledge that their fathers' sins have led to their current situation, and they have been subjected to humiliation, abuse, and hardship. The people express their sorrow and longing for a return to their former state, pleading with God to remember them and restore their fortunes. However, they also acknowledge that God has rejected them due to their sins.
Remember, O Lord, what has befallen us. Consider and look kindly upon our disgraceOur inheritance has been turned over to foreigners; our houses to outsidersWe have become orphans without a father; our mothers are like widowsWe paid for our drinking water. We acquired our wood for a priceWe were dragged by our necks. Being weary, no rest was given to usWe have given our hand to Egypt and to the Assyrians, so that we may be satisfied with breadOur fathers have sinned, and are not. And we have carried their iniquitiesServants have become rulers over us. There was no one to redeem us from their handWe obtained our bread at the risk of our lives, before the face of the sword, in the wildernessOur skin was burned, as if by an oven, before the face of the tempest of the famineThey humiliated the women in Zion and the virgins in the cities of JudahThe leaders were suspended by their hand. They were not ashamed before the faces of the eldersThey have sexually abused the adolescents, and the children were corrupted in the woodThe elders have ceased from the gates, the youths from the choir of the psalmsThe gladness of our heart has failed, our singing has been turned into mourningThe crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinnedBecause of this, our heart became gloomy; for this reason, our eyes have been darkenedbecause of mount Zion, because it was ruined. Foxes have wandered upon itBut you, O Lord, shall remain for eternity, your throne from generation to generationWhy would you forget us forever? Why would you forsake us for a long timeConvert us, O Lord, to you, and we shall be converted. Renew our days, as from the beginningBut you have utterly rejected us; you are vehemently angry against us
Share this chapter