Bible Commentaries
Lamentations 2

Verses 1-22

In the second poem, the prophet dealt with the sources of the sorrow he had described. Again affirming that it was the result of the direct action of Jehovah, he proceeded to describe it in its material and spiritual aspects. Habitations of Jacob are destroyed, princes are profaned, the people are slain. Such are the material judgments. The place of worship is destroyed, the solemn assemblies are forgotten, the sanctuary is abhorred, king, princes, prophets, and people are degraded.

After this recognition of the act of Jehovah in judgment the prophet broke out into a description of the affliction in iniquity as to the actual suffering endured, and the even more painful contempt of the nations. He identified himself with the people in all their sufferings, and recognized the contempt of the nations as fulfilling the word which Jehovah had spoken. Finally, he uttered an appeal of penitence in which there are two movements. The first is his appeal to the people, in which he urged them to repentance, and the turning of the life to God. The second is the appeal of the people to Jehovah, in which again the story of affliction is told.