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Lam. 5:1–22 Restore Us to Yourself, O Lord. This concluding chapter is the community’s plea for restoration. It includes an opening petition (v. 1), a description of the problems the people have faced (vv. 2–18), and an urgent plea for a restored relationship with their Lord (vv. 19–22).
Lam. 5:1 This verse continues the book’s emphasis on God “seeing” the people’s terrible situation (see 1:11; 20; 2:20; 3:63). Remember, O Lord. A common theme in the book (see 1:7; 2:1; 3:19; 20), “remember” reminds readers of events like the exodus (Ex. 2:23–25), when God acted on Israel’s behalf.
Lam. 5:2 Our inheritance. The Promised Land, which was the physical evidence of Israel’s relationship with God (Deut. 4:21, 38).
Lam. 5:5 pursuers. Probably persons to whom they owe money, or the foreign officers who rule over them. are at our necks. Always desiring either payment or more work.
Lam. 5:7 Past mistakes (v. 6) have led to terrible present realities. Though the Lord does not condemn people for others’ sins (see Jer. 31:29–30; Ezek. 18:2), they can certainly suffer because of what others have done. It is also sadly possible to sin in a manner similar to one’s ancestors (see Dan. 9:16).
Lam. 5:9 sword. A metaphor for thieves (2 Kings 13:20–21) or famine (Deut. 28:22).
Lam. 5:12 Princes. Or “officials.” hung up by their hands. Most likely for execution (see Gen. 40:19; Est. 2:23), perhaps by Babylon’s servants to discourage rebellion. elders. See Lam. 1:19; 2:10; 4:16.
Lam. 5:14–15 old men. Civic leaders. have left the city gate. They no longer sat where decisions were made and business was conducted.
Lam. 5:16 The crown has fallen. The Davidic king (4:20) and Jerusalem were considered crowning glories (see Jer. 13:18).
Lam. 5:19–22 The book closes with a plea for renewal. The people confess God’s eternal nature and kingship (v. 19), regret their ongoing suffering (v. 20), ask for renewal (v. 21), and wonder when renewal will come, given God’s understandable anger (v. 22).
Lam. 5:19 God reigns as king of the universe (Ps. 103:19) forever (Ps. 90:1–17; 102:12–13). Whatever forgiveness, renewal, and relief Jerusalem will receive must come from God, whose throne endures to all generations (Ps. 45:6–7; 93:1–2).
Lam. 5:21 Restore us. Restoration depends on a right relationship with God (Jer. 31:18), and only God can do the restoring.
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