Lamentations 1

The Prophet relateth the sighing, the excellency, and also the miserable condition of the city of Jerusalem, vers. 1, &c. and likewise of the land of Juda, 3. He confesseth that they had by their sins justly deserved such punishment, 8. Repeating every time again the relation of the misery, 9, 10, &c. The Prophet prayeth unto God that he would be pleased to behold the peoples great misery, and to have compassion on them, 20. For they could find comfort nowhere else, 21.

1. ALEPH. [The 1, 2, 4, and 5. Chapters of this Book consist of xxii verses apiece: every verse from the beginning according to the order of the Hebrew Alphabet, as this is done in many other Psalms and Poems of the holy Scripture. See Annotat. Psal. 25. On the title of the Psalm] How doth that city [That excellent, renowned, mighty, holy city, where those great Kings, David, Solomon, and others, formerly kept their Court in great state and magnificence : and of which God speaketh, Psal. 132. 14. This is my resting-place forever, here will I dwell, for I have desired her. See Cant. 6. On vers. 4. And Psal. 48. 2. And below chapter 2. 15.] sit (so) solitary, [so desolate, so empty of citizens and inhabitants] that was full of people [where formerly all houses were inhabited, and the streets were daily full of people that went out and in through this City, coming from nations lying far and near. How, &c. As if he had said, O how wonderful and incomprehensible are Gods judgements! Compare below, chapter 4.1.] She is become a widow, [mourning and weeping by reason of her sad and solitary condition, being forsaken of the Lord, her true and bridegroom, or husband: having besides no king nor kingdom] she that was great among the heathen, a Princess among the countreys, [having many nations and people under her command, that were fain to pay her yearly tributes and taxes. This was especially done in Davids and Solomons time, 1 Chronicles 18:6. And 2 Chron. 8. 7.] is become tributary . [Heb. became tribute. That is, how must she now bow down her neck other heathenish nations, and for a token of subjection, pay tribute and custome unto them! See 2 Kings 23:24, and 25. And 2 Chron. 36. And Prov. 12. On vers. 24.]

2. BETH. She [to wit. The city of Jerusalem] weepeth [through grief of heart for the welfare that she that lost, and for the misery whereinto she is fallen] continually [Heb. she weepeth weeping; that is, continually , without ceasing] in the night, [when other man lie quietly and are fast asleep. See Job 7. on vers. 3. By the night may be also understood adversity and misery. See the Annotat. Job. 34. On vers. 25.] and her tears (run) over her cheeks: She hath no comforter among all her lovers: [to wit, those neighbour-nations that were wont to traffique with her. Vers. 16. She compaineth that she is also forsaken of God] all her friends [the nations round about that had made a league with Juda] have dealt unfaithfully with her, [or by her; or, against her] they are become enemies unto her.

3. GIMEL. Juda [The inhabitants of the kingdom of Juda] is gone[others, removed] into captivity because of the multitude of bondage; [or, greatness of bondage; that is, because of great bondage. So that the meaning should be, that in the general carrying away of the people of the Jews to Babylon, there were yet some that by connivence were left in their own possessions, but were so plagued by the garisons and forreign and souldiers, that of then own accord they forsook all, their own country, their houses and lands, and all in the hope of avoiding the misery and calamity. Others apply this to the Jews that were fled from Jerusalem and from the land of Juda for fear of the approaching misery and bondage, before the Chaldeans had yet taken Jerusalem]she[to wit, the Jewish nation. The Hebrew word is used in the feminine gender. So likewise vers. 1.the City of Jerusalem is compared unto a widow] dwelleth among the heathen, [that is, she is constrained to dwell among Idolatrous nations, and such as are enstranged from God] she findeth no rest: all her persecutors overtake her [beset her, assault her] between the straits, [that is, in such places where the way is exceeding narrow, as that a man can neither go forward nor backward. Others understand it of the streights and distresses whereinto they were fallen.]

4. DALETH. The ways of Zion [That is, the wayes that lead to Jerusalem, lying on mount Zion] mourn, [that is, they lie wast, they are not frequented as they were wont to be, when men in great multitudes went up to Jerusalem to the worship of God. Unto insensible and irritational things humane affections are ascribed both in this verse, and elsewhere besides] because no man cometh up to the feast,[to wit, on those dayes that were ordained and set apart for sacrifices, especially on the high feast dayes, on which everyone was to appear. See Exodus 23:14. Deuteronomy 16:16 and compare herewith Psal.43.5.] all her [to wit, Zions; that is, Jerusalems] gates are desolate, [that is, there is no going out nor coming in by the city-gates, as was wont to be in former time Or, understand this thus; there is neither law nor justice administred, for this was wont to be done in the city-gates. See Genes. 34.20. Ruth.4.1, 10. 2 Sam. 15. 2.and 18. 4. and 19. 8.. Psal. 9. 14.] her priests sigh: [because the worship of God is decayed, and the city so miserably wasted] her virgins are grieved, and she herself is in bitterness. [Heb. unto her is bitterness. That is, she (to wit, the city of Jerusalem) is full of great grief, yea the whole nation of the Jews of what state or age soever they be, is full of sorrow and misery.]

5. HE. Her adversaries are the head, [That is, have dominion over her. Compare Deuteronomy 28:13, 44. And Psal.. 18. 44. And 66. 12 and Isaiah 9:13. And 19. 15.] her enemies are at rest: or, live quietly, or, enjoy good rest] because the Lord hath grieved her; to wit, the city of Jerusalem] because of the multitude [or, greatnesses of her transgressions: little children [or the signification of this word, see Psal. 8.on vers. 3.] go (into) captivity before the face of the adversary. [ As it were in triumph, to be made slaves: or, as men drive a flock of beasts, that they have taken away, before them. None is respected , nor spared, of what age, sex, or condition soever he be.

6. VAU. And from the daughter of Zion [That is, from the people of Jerusalem] her ornament is departed: [or , all her glory, &c. especially the temple and worship of God: together with all those excellent gifts and benefits, which they had frequently received from God in a most abundant measure] her Princes are like harts [that is, they have lost all their courage, they flee and run, like as the harts do form the dogs and the hunters] (that) find no pasture, [that is, they run throughout the countrey being utterly impoverished, yea hunger-starved] and they go faintly before the face of the pursuer. [having no strength nor means to make any resistance.]

7. ZAIN. Jerusalem is (in) the days of her misery, [To wit, now she is distressed with affliction and adversity] and of her manifold banishment. Others of her lamenting. Compare chapter 3. 19.] mindful of all her desirable things, [to wit, honour and riches, as also all manner of spiritual and corporal gifts, which she was wont to enjoy abundantly, as followeth] which she hath had in the days of old: [to wit, when she was in her prosterity. Heb. which have been of ancient days] because her people falleth by the hand of the adversary, and she hath no helper: the adversaries look upon her, [they stand and gaze upon her as upon a monster] they mock at her days of rest. [This may be understood either of the whole divine service, Religion, and ceremonies that the Jews had , according to the ordinance or Gods law: or, of the desolation of the land of Juda, which in the time of the Babylonian captivity kept its Sabbath or dayes of rest, according as God had threatened, Levit. 26.v. 34. And 43. Namely so as that the land lay waste and unmanured.]

8. CHETH. Jerusalem hath grievously sinned, [Heb. hath sinned a sin; sinned grievously, and for a long time together. Otherwise there is no man that sinneth not, 1 Kings 8:46. See the like phrase Exodus 32:30.] therefore she is become as a separated (woman): [Heb. a separated one. That is, as a woman by reason of her uncleanness must sequester herself from the society of men, according to the law, Levit 15.9. others, as a wandrin (woman) Or, they have shaked (the head) at her. See 2 Kings19. On vere.21.] all that honoured, [that is, all that had her in esteem; to wit, while she feared the Lord, and had dominion over other people and nations] counted her vile, because they have seen her nakedness, [Being spoiled of her ornaments, especially being stript of all piety. Compare Jerem 13. 22., 26.Ezekiel 16:37.Hos.2 . 10..Nahum3.5.] she sighteth also, [to wit, when she now calleth to mind how hainously she hath forsaken God, seeking for help where none was to be found] she is turned backward. [That is, she isconfounded, because she was rejected of God, her true and lawful husband.]

9. TETH, Her uncleanness [That is, her filthy sins. A phrase borrowed from the uncleanness of women] is in her skirts, [That is, is apparently to be seen : the tokens of the hainous abominable sins that she hath committed, cleave yet unto her. See the Annotat.. Levit.18. on vers. 6 and compare Jerem 13. 22, 26. These are the words of the godly church acknowledging the justice of God in obstinate impenitent sinners] she remembered not her utmost,[or, her end. That is, she went on in her wicked course of life, not thinking that she should ever be called to an account for her doings, and that she should the suffer. See Genes. 7. 40.] therefore she came down low: [on a sudden, and in a strange manner. The Kingdome of Juda after the death of King Josia in the space of two and twenty years came to nothing] she hath no comforter: [there is no man that assisteth her either with advice or otherwise vers. 7. LORD, look upon my misery, [understand withal, and deliver me out of it. See Psal. 31. 8. Acts 7:32. These are words of the remaining Citizens of Jerusalem, or of the people of God there] for the enemy magnifieth himself. [That is , the enemy lifteth up himself. See Psal. 35. The Annotat. on vers. 26. And Psal. 38. 17.]

10. JOD. The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her desirable things: [These are again the words of the Prophet. By the desirable things must here be understood the holy furniture, or costly vessels of the temple, which the Chaldeans had carried away, Jerem. 12. 17, 18.] indeed she [to wit, the city of Jerusalem; that is, the citizens and inhabitants of Jerusalem] she hath beheld that the heathen[properly the Chaldeans] enterd into her sanctuary, [Understand here by, not onely the land of Juda, which is called a sanctuary, Exodus 15:17. But also the holy Temple, yea the holy of holies, where the heathen had broken in] whereof thou hadst commanded, [or, of whom thou hadst commanded] that they should not enter into thy congregation. [That is, that they should not be counted among thy people: or, that they should bear no office among thy people, See Deut. 23. the Annotat. on vers. 3. And compare Acts 21:28.]

11. CAPH. All her people [All the people of Juda and Jerusalem, of what or condition soever they be] sigh, seeking bread, [the word bread signifieth oftentimes all that a man hath need of for the sustentation of his body, especially all that a man eateth: so that bread signifieth also sometimes flesh and all manner of meat] they have given their desirable things for meat, to the soul : [Heb. to bring the soul again, or, to restore the soul: that is, to revive it. So also vers. 16. And 19. Compare 1 Samuel 30:12. Psal.23.3.] See, LORD , and regard, that I [every one of us] am become vile. [That is, base, contemptible. See Psal.12. the Annotat. on vers.9. So likewise above vers.8. From this place to the end of the chapter are brought in the words of the Citizens of Jerusalem.]

12. LAMED. Doth it not concern you, [As if he had said, Are ye not moved at my misery? have ye no pity on me? Heed it well, and lay it to heart. Others, it concerneth you not. That is, imagine that this doth not concern you, but if ye wise, lay it to heart, heed it well and take example by me] all ye that pass by the way? Behold and see, if there be any sorrow unto my sorrow, Compare Ezekiel 5:9.and Daniel 9:12.] which is done unto me wherewith the LORD hath grieved (me) in the day of the heart of his anger.

13. MEM. From on high [That is, from heaven] hath he [to wit , the Lord] sent a fire [that is, great pains and sorrowes, which like a fire do consume men] into my bones, [that is, into the strongest parts of my body; as Psal 6. 3. See the Annotat. Job 7:15.] over which he hath ruled: [that is, which the Lord, not any humane power doth order, and giveth such a power, as that it doth consume me] he hath spread a net for my feet, [that is, he hath me so fast in his snares, that I cannot get out] he hath caused me to turn back[ that is, when I thought to escape away from him, he caught me in his net, and caused me to turn back[he that made] Heb. givwen me desolate and sick [that is, he hath taken away from me all meanes of deliverance] all the day.

14. NUN. The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand, [The heavy load of my manifold sins is as it were bound fast with cords; and the Lord layeth it upon my neck, which is so heavy to bear, as that it breaketh my strength. Compare Deuteronomy 28:48. Men being like unto mules and horses, Psal. 32. are turned by the yoke and bonds of adversity] they [to wit , my transgressions] are come up [that is, laid] upon my neck: he hath caused my strength to decay; [Heb. To fall] the Lord hath delivered me into (their) hands, [that is, into the power of my enemies] I cannot rise up. [That is, all strength and power is utterly taken away from me in the judgment of flesh and blood: but whatsoever is impossible unto men, is possible unto thee, O my God.]

15. SAMECH. The Lord hath trodden under foot all my strong men [That is, my valiant champions; to wit, whome I most relied] in the midst of me, [that is, that dwelt in me] he hath called an assembly upon me [or, against me] to break my young men [properly, choice, or, chosen ones, whereon I might yet have any waies relied. See Hos. 9. vers. 13. 14.] in pieces: [the meaning is, he hath caused many enemies to gather together against me, for to destroy the flower of my people. Compare Zephaniah 1:7, 8.] the Lord hath trodden the winepress of the Virgin of the daughter of Juda. [That is, the Lord hath by the enemy bruised and broken pieces her inhabitants, as grapes are broken in the winepress. Compare Isaiah 63:6. Revel. 14. vers. 19, 20. and chapter 19. vers. 15. Others, the Lord hath trodden the daughter of Juda (as in) a winepress.]

16. AIN. For these things I weep, [To wit, because of my great and manifold sins, for the which I am now forced to bear so many & so great punishments] mine eye, mine eye floweth down with water, [Or, there floweth water from] because the comforter, [that is, the Lord himself, the God of all comforter, her friends that would comfort her. See vers. 2. And vers. 7.] that should revive [Heb. Bring again] my soul, is far from me : my children are wasted, [that is, they are in a desolate condition. This is the cause why she hath so greatly need of comfort] because the enemy prevaileth. [Or, for the enemy prevaileth. Compare above vers. 5.]

17. PE. Zion spreadeth forth her hands; See Jerem. 4. 31.] there is no comforter for her; the LORD hath commanded [that is, moved by secret inspiration] concerning Jacob, that those that are round about him, should be his adversaries :[that is, God hath given them that hate Jerusalem power to afflict her on every side: and this doth by his judgment, he onely knowing to use evil aright] Jerusalem is as a separated woman among them. [See above vers. 8.]

18. TSADE. The LORD is righteous [In all these things I must need confess that the Lord dealeth righteously. Compare Psal. 119. 137. Daniel 9:7.] for I have been rebellious against his mouth: [his commandments, which have been tendered unto me by the mouth of the Prophets. See above vers. 5. And 8.] hear I pray, all ye nations, and behold my sorrow: [that is, I wish that all the nations of the earth might observe the fearful judgments of God that are upon me] my Virgins, and my young men, [that is, those, wherewith the age to come should be planted] are gone into captivity. [See Deut. chapter 28. 49.]

19. KOPH. I called unto my lovers, [That is, my confederates, on whom I h d reiled, and unto whom I was wont to seek help and comfort; to wit, the Egyptians and Assyrians. See Jerem. 2. 36. And 22. 20. Others take it in this sense: my lovers, that is, those to whom the care and oversight over me was committed by God; to wit, my Priests and Eldest. [the Rulers of the Church and of the Iand] gave up the ghost in the city, when they sought meat for themselves, that they might refresh their soul. [As above vers. 11.]

20. RESH. Behold, LORD, [Look upon me with thy merciful eyes] for I am in distress: my bowels are moved are moved [or, stirred about, or, mudded, or, cast up dirt, as unclean water that is moved or stirred about. See Job 16. on vers. 16. And Psal. 46. On vers. 4.] mine heart is burned in the innermost (part) of me; [mine heart moveth and rolleth in me for anguish, because I have so grievously rebelled against the Lord my God, as followeth] for I have been exceeding rebellious;[Heb. being rebellious I have been rebellious] without the sword hath bereaved (me) of children, [See Deuteronomy 32:25. Jerem. 14. 18. And 15. 7. And 18. 22.] within (there) is a death. [Or, within the house (there) is as death, or, (there) is death itself.]

21. SCHIN. They hear that I sigh, (but) I have no comforter: all mine enemies hear (of) mine evil, [that is, of my ruine; or of my complaint, which I daily make by reason of the misery, calamity and trouble] (and) they are glad that thou hast done it: [that is, that thou, O Lord, hast laid such affliction and misery upon me] (when) thou shalt have brought forth the day, to wit, the day or time of Babels destruction] which thou hast proclaimed, [that is, which thou hast published by thy prophets, namely, Isaia, Jeremia, and others, to wit, that Babel should then be destroyed] then shall they be as I am. [that is their misery in this world shall then as great as mine is now at present: besides the everlasting punishments and torments which they are to expect in the world to come]

22. THAU. Let all their evil come before thy face, [That is, bring to thy remembrance all their wicked deeds; to wit, for to punish them when thou shalt be set upon thy throne to do justice. Compare Psal. 7. 8.] and do unto them according as thou hast done unto me because of all my transgressions. [let them not go unpunished in regard thou hast punished me so sorely for my sins] for my sighs are man, and mine heart is weary. [or weak, or faint. Compare above vers. 13. And Job 19:20, 21. And Isai. 1. 5. And below chapter 5. 17.]