Lamentations 5:17-18 ASV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Lamentations 5:17-22

Here, I. The people of God express the deep concern they had for the ruins of the temple, more than for any other of their calamities; the interests of God's house lay nearer their hearts than those of their own (Lam. 5:17, 18): For this our heart is faint, and sinks under the load of its own heaviness; for these things our eyes are dim, and our sight is gone, as is usual in a deliquium, or fainting fit. ?It is because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the holy mountain, and the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 5:17

For this our heart is faint ,.... Our spirits sink; we are ready to swoon and die away; either for this, that we have sinned; because of our sins, they are so many, so great, and so aggravated; or for those distresses and calamities they have brought upon us before mentioned; or for the desolation of Zion, more especially, after expressed; and so the Targum, "for this house of the sanctuary, which is desolate, our heart is weak:' for these things our eyes are dim ; or "darkened" F2... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 5:18

Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate ,.... Meaning either the city of Jerusalem in general, or the temple in particular, which both lay in ruins: but the latter gave the truly godly the greatest concern; that the seat of divine Majesty should be in such a condition; that the public exercises of religion should cease, and there be no more opportunities of waiting upon God, and worshipping him as heretofore; their civil interest, and the loss of that did not so much affect them... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 5:18

The foxes walk upon it - Foxes are very numerous in Palestine, see on Judges 15:4 ; (note). It was usual among the Hebrews to consider all desolated land to be the resort of wild beasts; which is, in fact, the case every where when the inhabitants are removed from a country. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 5:17

Verse 17 He connects sorrow here with the acknowledgment of sin, that the people under the pressure and agony of sorrow might apply their minds so as to consider their own sins. At the same time the Prophet, no doubt, includes here all that we have already observed, as though he had said that the people were not without reason wearied with sorrow, for they had ample and manifold reasons for their grief. For this reason, he says, that is, we do not exceed a due measure in our sorrow, for our... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 5:18

Verse 18 Though he had in general included all kinds of evils, he yet mentions now the principal cause of sorrow, that mount Sion had lost its beauty and its excellency. For that place had been chosen by God, as though he had descended there from heaven, that he might dwell there; and we know also that its beauty is spoken of in high terms. For there the face of God shone forth, as Moses and the Prophets often speak. It was then an extremely sad change, that as God had dwelt in mount Sion,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 5:1-18

INSULT UPON INSULT HAS BEEN HEAPED UPON JERUSALEM . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 5:16-17

The degradation of sin. The promise of sin is something very different from this; no flattery is untried, no prospect withheld, which may induce men to rebel against God. But, as with our first parents, as with the dwellers in Jerusalem, so is it in the experience of all men; the promises which sin makes are unfulfilled; the wages of sin are death. I. THE PICTURE OF DEGRADATION . It is highly figurative language which the prophet here employs; but it is not exaggerated, it is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 5:17

The faint heart and the dim eyes. I. THE PENETRATING EFFECT OF THE DIVINE CHASTISEMENTS . Jerusalem had been satisfied with outward things. Wherever it turned, there had been enough to satisfy its pride and its pleasure. And now Jehovah, by efficient agents, had taken these outward things away. The difference that had been made in Jerusalem was perceptible to any eye. But another difference could only be known when it was confessed, namely, the difference made in the hearts... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 5:17-18

These verses form a transition to the final appeal. The thought of the desolation of Zion overwhelms the spirit of the poet. But he will soon be able to lift himself up again when he recalls the sublime truth of the inviolable security of Israel's God. Foxes ; rather , jackals. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Lamentations 5:17-22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 5:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Lamentations 5:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 5:18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 5:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Lamentations 5:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 5:1-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 5:16-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 5:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Lamentations 5:17-18

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