Lamentations 1

Lamentations 1:1

How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people? how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!

Woe is me for Jerusalem! How woefully is the case altered with her! She, that was of late exceeding populous, and thronged in her streets with men, is now left alone, like a solitary widow: she, that of late was a commander of many provinces, is now become a tributary to an usurping commander.

Lamentations 1:2

She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks.

No time gives her any respite from her mourning: night and day doth she pour out her tears.

Lamentations 1:3

Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: she dwelleth among the heathen, she findeth no rest; all her persecutors overtake her between the straits.

Many Jews, to avoid the miserable servitude of the Chaldees, have betaken themselves to a voluntary transmigration to other nations, hoping there to find rest; but even there, have these Babylonian persecutors overtaken them, so that they are surprised in those straits, which could no way be avoided.

Lamentations 1:5

Her adversaries are the chief.

Her adversaries are her commanders.

Lamentations 1:9

Her filthiness is in her skirts: she remembereth not her last end; therefore she came down wonderfully: she had no comforter.

She cannot hide her shame any longer: that loathsome annoyance of hers, which she would fain have concealed, appears even in her very outward garments; and so faithless is she grown, that she will not apprehend the assurance of her final deliverance.

Lamentations 1:12

Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow.

O all ye passengers, that travel this way, stay awhile, and behold my miserable ruins; and indeed, can ye pass by, and not view them, and not seriously consider of them? And, if ye do seriously think of them, say then, was there ever city or people in so woeful a plight as I am?

Lamentations 1:13

From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them.

God hath seemed from above to cast firebrands into my towers and palaces, whereby my goodly buildings are consumed.

Lamentations 1:14

The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand.

That yoke of my grievous servitude under the Chaldees, which my sins have justly called for, is bound about my neck by his punishing hand.

Lamentations 1:17

Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them.

Jerusalem is counted as an abomination unto them, as loathsome and unclean.

Lamentations 1:19

I called for my lovers, but they deceived me.

I called for the aid of my associates and allies, but they deceived me.

Lamentations 1:21

Thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called, and they shall be like unto me.

Thou wilt bring upon them the judgments, which thou hast threatened; and then, they shall be in the like plight that I am in.