Lamentations 1

Friday, and the Saturday of Holy Week. In the Book of Common Prayer, “Lessons proper for Holy Days” are taken from it for the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Easter (chaps. i., 1-15; ii. 13; iii. and iv. 1-21).

The author’s name is not mentioned in the Book. It has, however, been generally ascribed to Jeremiah, though this authorship is questioned by some eminent authorities. The references to invasion, captivity, desecration of the Temple, and desolation of the city (i. 1, 2-4, 10; ii. 6, 7, 9, 15, 19, 20; iv. 4, 15) seem to point to the siege and capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadrezzar, 599-588 B.C. And it is in keeping with the tenderness of Jeremiah, as revealed in the Book that bears his name, that he should pour out his patriotism and his sorrow as is done in Lamentations. (Note especially Jer. viii. 18, 21; ix. 1: “Oh that my head were waters,” etc., and cp. Lam. iii. 48, 49.)

Yet the Book is not one of lamentation merely. There are messages of encouragement, exhortations to repentance, and promises of the Divine mercy (iii. 22-26, 31-33, 40, 41, 57, 58; iv. 22; v. 19, 21).

The first part of the chapter (1-11) contains, for the most part, the words of the prophet; in the second part (12-22) Jerusalem herself is the speaker.

1. How doth the city sit solitary! See Isa. iii. 26.

2 her lovers . . . her friends. The allies in whom she trusted.

3 because of great servitude. This probably refers to the long-continued Chaldean oppressions, which had driven many of the people from the country into exile (rather than “into captivity”: see R.V. marg.), before the fall of Jerusalem (see Jer. xl. 11).

the straits. The figure is that of hunted animals driven into a contracted space. The French version has, “l’ont saisi dans son angoisse.”

4. The ways of Zion. That is, the ways to Zion. her virgins. The female choirs, accustomed to take part in the services and festivals: see Psa. lxviii. 25.

5 the chief. i.e., they have acquired the ascendancy: see Deut. xxviii. 13, 44.

6 beauty. Or, “glory.”

7 remembered. Rather, as R.V., “remembereth.”

8 removed. That is, is treated as unclean.

9 behold my affliction. Here, as in vers. 12-22, Jerusalem is introduced as the speaker.

11 to relieve the soul. “To make the soul to come again”; to restore or sustain life. The French version has, “afin de reprendre du cœur” (“in order to renew the heart”).

14 wreathed. That is, “twisted” (“knit together,” R.V.).

15 an assembly. More emphatically in R.V., “a solemn assembly”; as though the Chaldeans made a festival of their destroying work. “A triumphant host” (Moffatt).

as in a winepress. See Isa. lxiii. 1-6, and notes. The destruction there foretold of Israel’s enemies is now suffered by Israel himself.

17. Jerusalem, etc. R.V., “Jerusalem is among them as an unclean thing.”

18. The Lord is righteous, etc. Righteous in His judgements, for they have been merited by my sins.

20 is turned. That is, “sorely agitated.”

at home there is as death. That is, death by pestilence or famine.

21 called. That is, “announced” (or “proclaimed,” R.V.).