Lamentations 1:2

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 1:2

Among all her lovers - Her allies; her friends, instead of helping her, have helped her enemies. Several who sought her friendship when she was in prosperity, in the time of David and Solomon, are now among her enemies. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 1:2

Verse 2 Jeremiah still pursues the same subject, for he could not have spoken briefly and in a few words of things so bitter and mournful; and he seems to have felt deeply the ruin of his own country. And when we wish to penetrate into the hearts of those whose sorrow we desire to alleviate, it is necessary that they should understand that we sympathize with them. For when any one stronger than another seeks to mitigate another’s grief, he will be disregarded if what he adduces seems to proceed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 1:1-2

The fate of Jerusalem is described in language which resembles here and there that used in Isaiah of fallen Babylon ( Isaiah 47:1 , Isaiah 47:8 ). It is probably the finest passage in the whole bock, and has inspired some grand lines in Mr. Swinburne's picture of the republican mater dolorosa— "Who is she that sits by the way, by the wild wayside, In a rust-stained garment, the robes of a cast-off bride, In the dust, in the rainfall, sitting with soiled feet bare, With the night... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 1:1-2

The contrasts of adversity. The keynote of this strain of sorrow, this poetical and pathetic dirge, is struck in the opening words of the composition. The heart of the prophet laments over the captured and ruined city. How natural that the present should recall the past! Jerusalem, now in the hands of the Chaldeans, was once, in the days of David and of Solomon, the scene of glory and the seat of empire, the joy of the whole earth. So much the sadder is the contrast, the deeper the fall,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 1:1-11

A WAIL OF DISTRESS FOR JERUSALEM . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 1:2

In the night. Not only by day, but even in the season of rest and unconsciousness. Her lovers … her friends; i.e. the neighbouring peoples, with which Judah had formed alliances, such as Egypt ( Jeremiah 2:36 ), Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre and Sidon ( Jeremiah 27:3 ). This is a favourite phrase of Jeremiah's (comp. Jeremiah 3:1 ; Jeremiah 4:30 ; Jeremiah 22:20 , Jeremiah 22:22 ; Jeremiah 30:14 ), but also of Hosea ( Hosea 2:5 , Hosea 2:7 , Hosea 2:10 , Hosea 2:12 , ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 1:2

Comfortless. In her distress Jerusalem looks for comfort to those neighbouring nations which flattered her during her prosperity and behaved then as "lovers;" but she is disappointed in finding that they all desert her in the hour of her need. I. IT IS NATURAL TO SEEK FOR COMFORT IN ADVERSITY FROM THE FRIENDSHIPS OF PROSPERITY . Jerusalem had her "lovers." This fact throws a significant light on the statement that she had "become as a widow" ( Lamentations... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 1:2

Nights of weeping explained. Nights of weeping and constant tears upon the cheeks. Thus the metaphor is kept up with which this first song of lamentation begins. The sensitiveness of the woman nature helps to bring out the prostration of Jerusalem. It is not only that her condition is lamentable, but she herself, in all the feelings of her heart, is a prey to the keenest anguish. People do not always see their own sad state as others see it. There is either a shallowness of nature or... read more

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