Lamentations 1

Verse 1. City. David had conquered many. Jerusalem was long considered as the finest city in those parts.—Tributary. It had been so to the Assyrians, Egyptians, and Chaldees. 4 Kennicott. 24:1. From this and similar passages, it would seem that the city was still existing: yet in others it appears to have been demolished. Here then the prophet declares what it had been: ( Calmet.) unless he wrote part after the death of Josias. Bible.—The beholders are astonished at the change and misery of the city. Worthington.

Verse 2. Night; privately, or without ceasing.—Friends, who had made a league with Sedecias. Calmet. 27:3 and 48:26.

Verse 3. Rest. Many returning to join Godolias. Calmet. 40:7. Calmet.—The Jews who beheld their brethren led away to Babylon, retired into Egypt, but were in misery. Worthington.

Verse 4. Feast, thrice-a-year. This was the most charming sight, when all the nation met to adore God, and to renew their friendship with one another. Calmet.

Verse 5. Lords. Lit. “at the head,” ( Bible.) which Moses had threatened. Deuteronomy 26:1 and 13. Calmet.—This would be most cutting. Worthington.

When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name (Hebrew “יהוה”, usually pronounced Yahweh).

Verse 6. Beauty; princes’ palaces, but particularly the temple. verse 10. Calmet.—Rams, fleeing from place to place to seek relief. Worthington.

Verse 7. Of all. She compares her past happiness with her present chastisement.—Sabbaths, or days of rest. The pagans derided them as so much lost time. Ignava et partem vitæ non attigit ullam. Juv. v. Seneca ap. Saint Augustine de Civ. Dei. vi. 11.—If none of their legislators thought of such an institution, it was because they had not the spirit of Moses: their feasts were dissolute. Calmet.

Verse 8. Unstable. Hebrew also, “removed,” ( Bible.) like a woman unclean. Calmet.—Such were excluded from places of prayer, and were not allowed to touch a sacred book, or to pronounce God’s name. Their husbands could not look at their face, nor give them any thing, but laid it down for them to take. Buxtorf. Syn. 31.—No condition could be more distressing. Calmet.

Verse 9. End in her prosperity, to avert this misfortune. Bible.—Idolatry is a spiritual adultery, ( Worthington.) and one of the worst species of filth. Bible.

Verse 10. Church. Deuteronomy 33:1. Ezekiel 44:9. The Chaldees disregarded the ordinance.

Verse 11–12. O. Hebrew of the Masor. “It is.” Calmet.—Prot. “Is it nothing to you, all?” and so forth Bible.—But the Vulg. is much clearer, and approved by many Protestants, lu being often used as an exclamation. Genesis 17:18. Calmet.—Vintage. He has plundered all. verse 22. Bible.—The king took a great deal, and his general the rest. 4 Kin. 24 and 25. Worthington.

Verse 11–12. O. Hebrew of the Masor. “It is.” Calmet.—Prot. “Is it nothing to you, all?” and so forth Bible.—But the Vulg. is much clearer, and approved by many Protestants, lu being often used as an exclamation. Genesis 17:18. Calmet.—Vintage. He has plundered all. verse 22. Bible.—The king took a great deal, and his general the rest. 4 Kin. 24 and 25. Worthington.

Verse 13. Bones: fortresses. Theod.—I am like one in a burning fever. Ezekiel 24:4. Calmet.—Chastised. Lit. “instructed.” This is the good effect of affliction. Bible.

Verse 14. Watched. This metaphor is not too harsh. Calmet. 31:28. The Masorets prefer, ( Calmet.) “is bound by his hand.” Prot. But miskad is explained ( Bible.) by the Septuagint and so forth in the sense of the Vulg. God lays the yoke on my neck suddenly. My iniquities are like bands, and Nabuchodonosor has power over me.

The word translated “Lord” is “Adonai.”

Verse 15. Mighty. Hebrew “magnificent” princes, (Lu. 22:25) or warriors.—Time of vengeance. All in animated. Hebrew also, “a troop” of Chaldees. Calmet. 2:22.—Juda. God, as the first cause, punishes the Jews by war.

Verse 17. Then. They surround the city, to starve the inhabitants. verse 8.

Verse 19. Me. Egypt attempted to relieve Juda, to no purpose. verse 2. Calmet.—It could not, or at least did not, prove of any service to the Jews. Calmet. 2:18. Worthington.

Verse 20. Alike, by famine, and so forth Calmet. Worthington.—Ubique pavor et plurima mortis imago. Æn. ii.

Verse 21. Done it. They conclude that I am cast off for ever. But when I shall be comforted, their turn will come; ( Calmet.) or rather they will feel the scourge soon after me.—Consolation. Hebrew “which thou hast appointed.” Bible. Calmet. 48:26. and so forth Ezekiel 25. and so forth

Verse 22. Let. He prays not for their ruin, but predicts it; and wishes rather that they would be converted. Calmet.