Lamentations 5:19

THE FINAL TRIUMPHANT APPEAL TO GOD

"Thou, O Jehovah, abidest forever;

Thy throne is from generation to generation.

Wherefore dost thou forget us forever,

And forsake us so long time?

Turn thou us unto thee, O Jehovah, and we shall be turned.

Renew our days as of old.

But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us."

"Thy throne is from generation to generation" (Lamentations 5:19). "Although the crown has fallen from the head of David's dynasty (Lamentations 5:16), which has been sent crashing to the earth, the throne of God still abides."[20]

"A noble faith is awakened here, finding its expression in the wonderful words from Psalms 80, `Turn us again, O Jehovah,' thus laying upon Jehovah the task of initiating Israel's restoration: Thou must give us the compelling spirit, else we can do nothing."[21]

"Wherefore dost thou forget us forever" (Lamentations 5:20)? Adam Clarke agreed that these words should be read interrogatively, "Wilt thou be angry with us for ever"?[22] The words carry the thought, "Surely, O God, thou wilt not be angry with the people for ever."

"Turn thou us unto thee, O Jehovah" (Lamentations 5:21). This is important. Paul may plant, Apollos may water, but "only God can give the increase." (1 Corinthians 3:6). Men cannot `stir up' a revival. Only God must inspire men to turn from wickedness unto the God of all creation.