Lamentations 1:1-16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Lamentations 1:1-11

Those that have any disposition to weep with those that weep, one would think, should scarcely be able to refrain from tears at the reading of these verses, so very pathetic are the lamentations here. I. The miseries of Jerusalem are here complained of as very pressing and by many circumstances very much aggravated. Let us take a view of these miseries. 1. As to their civil state. (1.) A city that was populous is now depopulated, Lam. 2:1. It is spoken of by way of wonder?Who would have... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Lamentations 1:12-22

The complaints here are, for substance, the same with those in the foregoing part of the chapter; but in these verses the prophet, in the name of the lamenting church, does more particularly acknowledge the hand of god in these calamities, and the righteousness of his hand.[ 47a5 /P] I. The church in distress here magnifies her affliction, and yet no more than there was cause for; her groaning was not heavier than her strokes. She appeals to all spectators: See if there be any sorrow like... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 1:1

How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people !.... These are the words of Jeremiah; so the Targum introduces them, "Jeremiah the prophet and high priest said;' and began thus, "how"; not inquiring the reasons of this distress and ruin; but as amazed and astonished at it; and commiserating the sad case of the city of Jerusalem, which a little time ago was exceeding populous; had thousands of inhabitants in it; besides those that came from other parts to see it, or trade with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 1:2

She weepeth sore in the night ,.... Or, "weeping weeps" F9 בכה תבכה "plorando plorat", Vatablus; "plorando plorabit", Pagninus, Montanus. ; two weepings, one for the first, the other for the second temples F11 T. Sanhedr. ib. col. 2. ; and while others are taking their sleep and rest; a season fit for mourners, when they can give their grief the greater vent, without any interruption from others; and it being now a night of affliction with her, which occasioned this sore... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 1:3

Judah is gone into captivity ,.... Not only Jerusalem the metropolis of Judea was destroyed, but the whole country was ravaged, and the inhabitants of it carried captive into Babylon: because of affliction, and because of great servitude ; because of their sins in oppressing and afflicting their poor brethren, and retaining them in a state of bondage after their seven years' servitude, contrary to the law of God; for which they were threatened with captivity, Jeremiah 34:13 ; so the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 1:4

The ways of Zion do mourn ,.... Being unoccupied, as in Judges 5:6 ; or unfrequented: this is said by a rhetorical figure; as ways may be said to rejoice, or look pleasant and cheerful, when there are many passengers in them, going to and fro; so they may be said to mourn, or to look dull and melancholy, when no person is met with, or seen in them; thus Jerusalem and the temple being destroyed, the ways which led from the one to the other, and in which used to be seen great numbers going... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 1:5

Her adversaries are the chief ,.... Or, "for the head" F14 לראש "in caput", Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "facti sunt caput", Cocceius. ; or are the head, as was threatened, Deuteronomy 28:44 ; and now fulfilled; the Chaldeans having got the dominion over the Jews, and obliged them to be subject to them: her enemies prosper ; in wealth and riches, in grandeur and glory; live in ease and tranquillity, enjoying all outward felicity and happiness; while Zion was in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 1:6

And from the daughter of Zion all her beauty is departed ,.... The kingdom removed; the priesthood ceased; the temple, their beautiful house, burnt; the palaces of their king and nobles demolished; and everything in church and state that was glorious were now no more: her princes are become like harts that find no pasture ; that are heartless and without courage, fearful and timorous, as harts are, especially when destitute of food. The Targum is "her princes run about for food, as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 1:7

Jerusalem remembered in the days of her affliction and of her miseries ,.... When carried captive, and in exile in a foreign land; when surrounded with distresses and calamities of various kinds; which are a means sometimes of rubbing up and refreshing the memories of persons with those good things they take little notice of in the times of prosperity; the worth of such things being best known and prized by the want of them: even all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 1:8

Jerusalem hath grievously sinned ,.... Or, "hath sinned a sin" F18 חטא חטאה "peccatum peccavit", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus. ; a great sin, as the Targum; the sin of idolatry, according to some; or of covenant breaking, as others; though perhaps no particular sin is meant, but many grievous sins; since she was guilty of a multitude of them, as in Lamentations 1:5 ; therefore she is removed ; out of her own land, and carried captive into another: or, is "for commotion"... read more

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