Lamentations
Verse 1. Man. Jeremias had a share in the common misery, ( Worthington.) and bewails his own condition, as a figure of Christ. Psalms 87:16. Isaiah 53:3. Calmet.—His disciples must expect to suffer. Bible.
EXPLANATIONS
Lamentations 3
Historical chapter commentary
Lamentations
Verse 2. Led, or driven me with the rod. Bible.—God employs two. Zechariah 11:7. That of rigour was reserved for this prophet; (Calmet. 38) none of them suffered more.
Lamentations
Verse 4. Old and wrinkled, the effect of misery.
Lamentations
Verse 5. Gall. Septuagint “head.” Chal. “he hath seized the chief.” Job 16:13. He speaks in the name of the besieged, who had been threatened with this punishment. verse 19. Calmet. 8:14. Calmet.—And labour. Nabuzardan ransacked the city worse than his master, ( Worthington.) if the latter was at all present. Bible.
Lamentations
Verse 6. Ever indeed. Eccle. 12:5 and Psalms 48:12. Jeremias (38:6) was in imminent danger.
Lamentations
Verse 8. Prayer. God would not allow him to pray for the people. Calmet. 7:16.
Lamentations
Verse 9. Stones. There is no passage. Job 19:8.
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Verse 10. Places. This may refer to the prophet or to the people.
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Verse 12. Arrows. Such places were common where shooting was practised. 1 Kin. 20:36. Job 16:11.
Lamentations
Verse 14. Song. True prophets were derided on account of impostors, and because of their declarations were unpleasant, and so forth Calmet. 17:15. Ezekiel 12:22.
Lamentations
Verse 15. Wormwood, or a bitter poisonous herb. Calmet. 9:26. Deuteronomy 29:18.
Lamentations
Verse 16. One. Hebrew “against a stone.” My bread is full of them. Psalms 101:10. Calmet.—He describes his afflictions, as if his teeth had been broken. Worthington.
Lamentations
Verse 18. End. Hebrew “strength.” Septuagint “victory.” Calmet.
Lamentations
Verse 21. Hope. The remembrance fills him with grief and hope. Calmet. 20:12. Bible.
Lamentations
Verse 23. New. Novi should be novæ, to agree with miserationes. Calmet.—Chal. “new miracles” occur daily. Bible.—God’s mercies are ever fresh. Worthington.
Lamentations
Verse 27. Yoke. Afflictions endured for justice sake ensure a blessing. Bible.—All may derive great benefit from suffering.
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Verse 28. Himself, with perfect resignation.
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Verse 29. Hope. He does not doubt, but confides with great humility.
Lamentations
Verse 30. Him. We cannot verify this of the prophet as we can of Christ, (Matthew 26:62. Calmet.) to whom this particularly refers. Worthington.
Lamentations
Verse 33. Men. He punishes with regret. Ezekiel 28:23. Our crimes force him to chastise. verse 36. Calmet.—Yet he seeks our advantage. Worthington.
Lamentations
Verse 37. Commanded. Hebrew “said: It cometh to pass,” as if by chance. There have always been Epicureans. Ezekiel 8:12. Psalms 93:7. Calmet.—Those who deny Providence speak. verse 30. Worthington.
Lamentations
Verse 39. Sins? If all happened by inevitable necessity, or according to the laws of Providence, why should any one complain?
Lamentations
Verse 41. Up. This posture “is the testimony of a soul naturally Christian.” Tert. Apol.—Our heart must accompany our hands. 1 Timothy 2:8. Calmet.
Lamentations
Verse 42. Inexorable. Hebrew and Septuagint “Thou hast not shewn pity.” Bible.
Lamentations
Verse 43. Covered thyself, as if not to see our distress.
Lamentations
Verse 44. Cloud. Isaiah 59:2. Sirach 35:21. These expressions are admirable.
Lamentations
Verse 47. Prophecy. Many would read, vastatio. Hebrew “ruin.” Septuagint “taking away.” Calmet.—Prot. “Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction.” The prophets were continually in danger. Bible.—The preaching of false prophets has brought these evils upon the people. Worthington.
Lamentations
Verse 51. Wasted. Lit. “robbed.” Bible.—I have felt more for my people than they have themselves. Moral writers often product this text, to shew the dangers of an unguarded glance ( Calmet.) at women.
Lamentations
Verse 53. Over me, as if I were buried. Bible.—Jeremias was in prison (Calmet. 38:6) when he prayed. verse 54. Calmet. 20:7. Calmet.
Lamentations
Verse 59. Judge what they have judged unjustly. Worthington.
Lamentations
Verse 62. Lips; or language (Genesis 11:1) thou knowest. verse 60.
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Verse 63. Up, all their conduct.—Song. 5:14.
Lamentations
Verse 65. Buckler, to cover all the body. They shall be surrounded with misery, (Psalms 108:29) while God will protect his servants. Psalms 5:13. Calmet.—Let sorrow pierce their heart, as thy enemies are treated. Worthington.
Lamentations
The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).